Atopic dermatitis is a fairly common occurrence, with an average of 1 in 12 people suffering from it. It is impossible to completely cure dermatitis, so treatment usually comes down to daily care that maintains remission. Let’s take a look at how to manage dermatitis so that there is no relapse.
Seeing a doctor
Dermatological diseases are varied and insidious, and sometimes it is impossible to accurately diagnose without the look of a specialist and analyzes. If you have not been to a doctor before, then when red rashes, peeling or itching appear, it is better to immediately make an appointment with a dermatologist. Do not self-diagnose, and even more so do not prescribe treatment based on a diagnosis made on your own. So, care for allergic dermatitis is fundamentally different from the treatment of psoriasis, and outwardly these diseases can be confused.
Getting rid of the causes of atopic dermatitis
Now scientists attribute atopic dermatitis to neuro-allergic diseases. This means that the course of the disease can be caused and aggravated by both allergens and nervous disorders. Accordingly, an important part of atopic dermatitis care consists of eliminating allergens and the causes of nerves.
Eliminate allergens
Even if you are not a highly allergic person, it is worth taking care of your surroundings and eliminating possible allergens. Allergies to foods such as chocolate, citrus fruits, eggs, seafood, nuts and berries are common in adults. Milk protein intolerance is common in children under three years of age.
Dust is one of the most common allergens. More precisely, not the dust itself, but the waste products of dust mites that inhabit it. Wet cleaning should be a regular ritual.
Household chemicals can also cause allergies. Aggressive cleaning powders, dishwashing detergents, laundry detergent can all trigger flare-ups. Choose the most gentle formulations, give preference to special children’s washing powders and use household chemicals only with gloves.
We get rid of nervous disorders
Don’t underestimate the health impact of your psychological state. It is the emotional stress that often leads to relapses of atopic dermatitis, so skin care includes visits to a psychotherapist.
Skin care for atopic dermatitis
The second half of the treatment is the elimination of symptoms, namely dryness, itching, redness and pain. Daily care consists of gentle cleansers and intense moisturizers. Areas affected by atopic dermatitis need delicate skin care products. During an exacerbation, patients with dermatitis need anti-inflammatory drugs. Many of these drugs are hormonal, they need to be taken only as directed by a doctor. The dermatologist can also prescribe special procedures (wraps, lotions, applications, etc.).
Skin care for dermatitis
In case of damage to the skin of the face, it is necessary to change the daily care for a more gentle one. Hydrophilic oils for washing are an excellent choice – they do not dry the skin, gently remove impurities and do not cause irritation.
Bath procedures
With dermatitis, it is better to shorten the duration of any water procedures: instead of taking a long bath, do with a quick shower. Reduce the temperature of the water for washing – hot water quickly deprives the skin of moisture. For people with dermatitis, the optimal temperature is 32–35 ° C.
Try to avoid harsh exfoliators, hard washcloths, scrubs. Choose mild, soap-free gels and oils instead. Apply a moisturizer right after your shower to keep your skin moist. This is especially important in winter, when the cold air and central heating dries out the skin.
In children, care for atopic dermatitis is absolutely the same. Pay special attention to the choice of moisturizing products, look for hypoallergenic formulations approved by pediatric dermatologists.
Skin care for seborrheic dermatitis
If, with atopic dermatitis, the skin dries and cracks, then with seborrheic dermatitis it begins to shine, oily scales may appear on it. In children under 3 years of age, the disease usually manifests itself on the vertex. Skin care for seborrheic dermatitis in this case comes down to the use of special shampoos prescribed by a dermatologist. It is important to stop the itching, because the child can comb the lesion and accidentally introduce an infection.
With seborrheic dermatitis, agents are used that reduce skin inflammation: keratolytics, corticosteroids, antifungal agents. They should only be used as directed by a doctor. If seborrhea has become chronic, a dermatologist may prescribe oral antifungal medications.