Atopic dermatitis - what is it? Not every person will answer the question, although everyone needs to know this. Most often, the disease manifests itself in early childhood and accompanies a person throughout his life. Let’s find out what causes the disease and how to treat it, but first we’ll give a definition.
What it is?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin inflammatory atopic disease. It develops, as a rule, even in early childhood, but throughout life a person suffers from periodic exacerbations. This happens due to non-specific and specific irritants and allergens.
Let's talk about what it is - atopic dermatitis. The disease is expressed by intolerable skin itching, which exhausts not only physically, but also emotionally. As a result, a person loses working capacity and ceases to enjoy life.
About 10% of the adult population suffers from this disease. If we talk about industrialized countries, the disease level there reaches 20%. It is also sad that every year the figure is increasing, not decreasing.
Atopic dermatitis - what is it? Today, one can easily say that the disease is not considered independent. Most often it is accompanied by bronchial asthma, hay fever, rhinitis.
By the way, according to statistics, more women are sick than men. For example, in a hundred cases of 65 cases, there will be women and only 35 - men.
It is interesting
For many it will be news, but the disease is not new. Even in the ancient era, doctors knew about the disease and called it idiosyncrasy, since people could only guess about the causes of the disease. That is, by name it was clear how the disease develops, but not its etiology.
Residents of India, Africa and other hot countries are often allergic to water. This is due to the fact that they do not have constant access to water, and the skin is weaned from it. If moisture enters the integument, an allergic reaction immediately appears.
There is a rare allergy to red wine. It affects no more than 15% of the world's population, but nevertheless it is. There is an opinion that atopy occurs on the wine itself, but in fact the reason is the polyphenolic compounds that are part of the drink.
Scientists know cases where an allergy occurs to human sweat. It is noteworthy that atopy occurs only on male sweat. By the way, this feature was noticed in the middle of the XX century.
There are also very modern causes of allergies, such as allergies to progress. It sounds strange, but nevertheless every year people are increasingly suffering from it. What is the reason? And magnetic fields are to blame. Each gadget, whether it is a computer, smartphone or TV, has its own magnetic field, and some people are too sensitive to their manifestation. It is the signals of electronic technology that provoke the development of atopic dermatitis.
How immunity works
In the photo of atopic dermatitis, the treatment of which takes place during the period of exacerbation, all the manifestations of the disease caused by certain allergens are visible. Atopy is known to manifest due to a genetic abnormality in the immune system.
Normally, the functions of immunity are the formation of memory for an allergen and the recognition and destruction of foreign particles. The destruction involves T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. If the immune cells in the body exist in a certain ratio, then the immune system works fine. But the slightest imbalance should appear, and the reaction manifests itself too brightly.
As for the formation of memory, the body remembers the infection to prevent repeated aggression of the pathogen. During the initial meeting, antibody synthesis occurs. The latter can last a lifetime, or can only be a long period.
Before disassembling the treatment and photos of atopic dermatitis, it is worth understanding how the immune system works with allergic reactions. The body is sensitized as soon as it is first encountered with an allergen. That is, quite a lot of antibodies are produced, which will subsequently bind to the allergen. Repeated exposure to the allergen causes an antigen-antibody complex. An allergen becomes an antigen, and the protein synthesized in the body is an antibody.
Because of this complex, an immune-allergic reaction system is activated. The immune response, or rather its severity, depends on the type of dermatitis, the time of contact with the irritant, the speed of the body's reaction.
Allergy Mediators
Before analyzing the symptoms and treatment of atopic dermatitis, we will consider as closely as possible the processes that occur at the time of an allergic reaction.
After the formation of the complex, a cascade of allergic reactions sets in motion, which releases a number of biological substances. The latter just start the pathological process, as a result of which the symptoms of atopic dermatitis are manifested.
The main mediator is histamine. Because of it, the permeability of the vascular wall becomes higher, and the blood vessels expand. By the way, the matter does not end with their expansion, because this phenomenon has an accompanying symptom - redness and development of edema. But all these are trifles in comparison with more serious symptoms - asthma attacks and bronchospasm.
Do not think that only histamine is a conductor. The participants in immunoallergic reactions are prostaglandins, leukotrienes, kinins. All mediators are released from the epidermis with atopic dermatitis. Allergy sufferers have a lot of such cells in the upper layer of the skin.
Causes of the disease
The symptoms and treatment of atopic dermatitis are often talked about a lot, but for some reason the reasons are not covered. Let's figure them out.
First of all, it is important to understand that the disease is multifactorial. This means that the cause is influenced by immediate causes, but a genetic predisposition, immune dysfunction and other malfunctions of the body's systems play an equally important role.
Let us consider in more detail several reasons.
Heredity
Scientists have found that in 80% of sufferers, relatives have or had the same disease. As a rule, we are talking about bronchial asthma, food allergies and hay fever. Most often, atopic dermatitis is transmitted along the female line. According to statistics, in 60% of cases it was transmitted from the mother. As for the father, only a fifth of dermatitis sufferers received a male ailment.
To learn about the symptoms and treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults, all factors must be considered. Knowing about the illnesses of relatives, you can predict the disease in advance and reduce the effect of the provoking factor.
Immunity dysfunction
If the immune system is broken, then the person becomes too sensitive to atopy. It turns out that the immune system creates the conditions under which the symptoms of atopic dermatitis appear. Of course, provoking factors play an important role.
Immune dysfunction affects the cellular link, which is why an overly pronounced allergic reaction occurs.
Digestive system
Deviation from the norm in the digestive system can be a trigger factor, because in this case the immunity is weakened. In the intestinal mucosa there are many lymphatic formations that are immunomodulators. In other words, the intestinal lymph nodes act as barriers to harmful factors. If there are pathologies of the digestive system, then the barriers no longer work, which means that all harmful substances enter the bloodstream, and the first symptoms appear. Treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults begins with the identification of the cause of the disease. But we were distracted.
Penetration into the blood is due to a violation of the intestinal mucosa. In addition, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed, and this is an open gate for bacteria and toxins. The latter, after getting into the blood, can increase the allergic reaction, but this is not all. If there are chronic pathologies or a person is infected with parasites, then immunity is reduced.
On the World Wide Web you can find not only photos of atopic dermatitis. Treatment for adults and children is also described in many articles. But experts recommend first of all to find out all the reasons and only then proceed to treatment.
So, what pathologies can cause atopic dermatitis?
- Helminthic infestations.
- Intestinal dysbiosis.
- Violation of intestinal motility.
- Diseases of the liver and gall bladder.
- Fermentopathy.
Disorders of the autonomic nervous system
A person is prone to vasospasm, which manifests itself during stress, cold or mechanical effects on the skin. Because of this, the nutrition of the skin is impaired, and this means their dryness. In turn, xerosis and dry skin are considered favorable conditions for the penetration of allergens through the skin, namely through wounds and cracks. From this, allergic reactions begin.
Endocrine dysfunction
In the photo of atopic dermatitis in adults, the treatment of which depends on the correctly identified cause, you can often see strong manifestations of allergies. They are associated with the fact that the level of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone decreases. In addition, the concentration of androgens and estrogens decreases, which leads to a chronic course of the disease.
It has long been known that the skin is a barrier to the penetration of microbes and other irritating factors into the body, but this is in a normal state. As for people suffering from atopic dermatitis, their skin does not fulfill the functions assigned to it. This is because some genetic abnormalities occurred in the body of these people in the protective function.
What genetic disorders are we talking about?
- Violation of the synthesis of filaggrin. This includes a protein that regulates the keratinization of skin cells. Thanks to it, water is also retained in the integument.
- Decreased sebum production or sebostasis. For this reason, the skin begins to dry.
- Violation of the lipid barrier. If everything is normal in the body, then the skin contains a waterproof fat layer, through which harmful substances cannot penetrate the body. If a person is sick, then lipid synthesis is reduced, which means that the barrier can no longer perform its functions.
If at least one of the above is there, then this will cause a sluggish allergy. In addition, certain factors can increase the spread of an allergic reaction.
Provocateurs
With the treatment of atopic dermatitis with drugs, the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease can be regulated, but, unfortunately, the cause itself cannot be eliminated.
Let's look at what is a kind of trigger. Such factors are called triggers. Because of them, a periodic exacerbation of the disease occurs.
Meanwhile, triggers are divided into non-specific, which affect almost every person, and specific, which each person has his own. Consider them.
What are specific factors?
- Medication.
- Food allergens.
- Aeroallergens.
It is food products that most often cause an exacerbation of allergies. Adults are more likely to react to seafood and dairy products.
Often ignorant people ask whether it is possible to eat certain foods with atopic dermatitis. We give a list of the most common allergens.
- Nuts. Not everyone is allergenic, but only almonds, walnuts, peanuts.
- Dairy products. We are talking about soy products, milk, eggs.
- Chocolate.
- Seafood. Usually fish does not cause allergies, but lobsters, oysters or crabs become a common cause of dermatitis.
It is important to understand that a person should not be guided by a general list when choosing whether it is possible to eat this or that product with atopic dermatitis. The patient needs to listen only to himself, because it is quite possible that he has intolerance to only one product. By the way, vivid manifestations of allergies occur mainly in the spring or at a time when a person is sick.
Do not underestimate the medicine. Some of them are able to both weaken and sharpen sensitivity. For example, aspirin can even cause bronchial asthma, and not just provoke a reaction to an allergen. But this is more an exception than a rule. The rest of the medications simply trigger an allergic reaction based on existing factors.
The initial stage of atopic dermatitis can cause:
- Sulfonamides. These include sulfazine, streptocide, sulfalene.
- Penicillin antibacterial drugs. This is amoxicycline, ampicillin.
- Anticonvulsants Such as thymonyl, depakine.
- Vaccines.
Aeroallergens are the cause of not only atopic dermatitis, but also bronchial asthma, hay fever. What is it?
- Perfume.
- Animal hair.
- Household dust.
- Pollen of plants.
- Volatile chemicals.
Non-specific triggers include detergents, weather, emotions, clothing, stress. Such factors will not necessarily lead to atopic dermatitis, but if this happens, the reasons will be different. For example, some people respond to cold, while others respond to heat or dry air.
As for clothing, not only synthetic clothing can provoke an allergic reaction, but also too warm or tight. This is all due to the fact that under the clothes a too humid microclimate is created.
Skin with atopic dermatitis suffers in people who are professionally associated with chemicals, medicines, and detergents. It is these people who are at high risk.
Symptoms of the disease
What are the signs of the disease? In fact, there is not one set of symptoms for all people. In each case, the allergy will manifest itself in different ways and depend on the form of the ailment.
Most often, dryness and redness of the skin, as well as itching and rashes, are encountered, but we will not get ahead of ourselves and consider each symptom in detail.
So itchy. This is the most common sign of atopy. It appears at every stage of atopic dermatitis in children and adults. A feature of the symptom is that even if there are no rashes, the itching still remains. The patient constantly itches, sometimes even to the blood. An infection penetrates through scratches, which only complicates the course of the disease.
Dry skin is usually observed in places such as elbows, folds, under the knees. Most often, it dries the neck, skin on the face or shoulders. The integument looks coarse and rough. Dry skin with atopic dermatitis goes through more than one stage. The first stage is characterized by a feeling of tightness. There is a list of emollients for atopic dermatitis that help relieve the symptom. The second stage is aggravated by redness and peeling, itching. The third stage is complicated by deep cracks, coarsening and a feeling of tension.
Rashes during atopy are also divided into several types. The first type occurs on healthy skin, and the rashes of the second type occur on already damaged skin.
Reviews about creams for atopic dermatitis are very different, someone can choose the right one, and someone not. This is because the drug is not always purchased correctly. For example, there is such a thing as cheilitis. So called inflammation of the mucous membrane around the mouth. Lips crack, pronounced wrinkles appear and it all itches a lot.
Special forms of the disease
The disease does not always occur according to the standard scheme. Sometimes there are special forms:
- Head injury. With this manifestation, erosion, scratching, and crust appear in the nape and forehead areas. The skin under the hair is always dry, white scales are felt. All affected areas are very itchy, as a result, wounds and scratches appear in their place, through which the infection gets.
- Damage to the earlobes. A crack appears behind the ear fold, which is very painful. If you comb it, then it becomes a sore and begins to bleed.
- Dermatitis of the feet. This form can be caused both by exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, and during remission. What does it mean? Cracks appear on the feet, which seem to burn, which is why a person constantly scratches them.
- Eczema brushes. It is characterized by focal redness on the hands. The next manifestation is cracks that turn into ulcers due to the use of water, household chemicals or soap.
How to diagnose
Clinical recommendations for atopic dermatitis are given only after diagnosis of the disease. How does this happen? The first thing you need to go to the doctor, namely an allergist. The latter will interview the patient, conduct an examination.
By the way, not all patients understand that they need to prepare for an appointment. But in vain, because the examination involves viewing the entire body, so before visiting a doctor you need to go to the shower. In order for the diagnosis to be made correctly, it is necessary to abandon cosmetics and skin care products during the previous days. , .
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Atopic dermatitis on the hands or elsewhere needs to be treated. And it’s not only about the need to apply a special ointment. To avoid exacerbation, you must constantly monitor nutrition. If the manifestations are also accompanied by bronchial asthma or hay fever, then pathologies that are the cause of the disease must also be treated.
By the way, the causes of atopic dermatitis in children practically do not differ from adults. However, babies need to be treated only after consulting a doctor.
What to do during an exacerbation of the disease? During this period, glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines, and membrane stabilizers are prescribed. If the infection also joins, then the doctor prescribes antibiotics. During the period of exacerbation, patients should use drugs of both external and internal action.
As for remission, the recommendations for atopic dermatitis, more precisely, its treatment, are to take immunomodulators, vitamins, sorbents, emulsions and moisturizers. During a lull, it is worthwhile to carry out spa treatment, prevention and physiotherapy.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Such procedures are prescribed for each person individually, depending on the stage of atopic dermatitis. Treatment is carried out only when the infection is absent and the exacerbation has passed.
What procedures are prescribed?
- Electrophoresis
- UV exposure.
- Electrosleep.
- Paraffin on the foci of lichenification.
- Dynamic currents to paravertebral nodes.
Spa treatment
Doctors often prescribe spa treatment due to the fact that patients benefit from sea air. If you take sunbathing in moderation, then the remission time will increase. For example, it is much easier for many patients to endure the disease in summer than in winter.
It has long been proven that ultraviolet rays have a beneficial effect on afflicted people. Low humidity helps to cope with itching, and the absence of dust prevents infection in the wounds. In addition to sunbathing, patients with atopic dermatitis are recommended to take hydrogen sulfide and radon baths.
Is hospitalization necessary
There is a lot of information on the Internet about treatment, symptoms of atopic dermatitis, a photo no less, but rarely in what article can you find information about whether to go to hospital during an exacerbation. So, the doctor will offer hospitalization in a situation where outpatient treatment does not give any results for a long time. Inpatient treatment is necessary so that the patient’s condition does not worsen, especially when there are prerequisites. For example, in the case of severe peeling, when up to 90% of the body suffers, hospitalization is required.
Why do I need to go to the hospital? Hospitalization allows you to protect the patient from allergens, negative emotions and provides appropriate treatment. A sharp change in temperature is also the reason why it is better to prefer a hospital ward, because there are no such differences. After the patient recovers in the ward, it becomes much easier for him, and the period of remission increases.
Therapeutic diet
The goal of the diet is to exclude a product that can trigger an allergy attack. In addition, therapeutic nutrition should help to restore the affected areas, and therefore, be rich in vitamins, trace elements and fiber. The proper functioning of organs also affects the manifestation of the disease, that is, you can not overload the liver, bile and intestines.
Food should be such that the body can digest it effortlessly, and the liver is not overloaded.
Let's go through the list of foods that are considered allergens again:
- Meat products. This includes fatty pork, duck and chicken. Lamb and goose meat also cause allergies in people with a predisposition.
- Fatty white and red fish. We are talking about mackerel, trout, salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, sprat, herring, sturgeon, black and red caviar, oysters, mussels, crabs, lobsters, crayfish.
- Fruits and vegetables. Allergenic include peaches, tangerines, grapefruits, melons, oranges, pomegranates, red apples, persimmons, mangoes, and various tropical fruits. Of the berries, allergens are strawberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, cherries. Provocative vegetables - radish, pumpkin, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, beets, bell peppers.
- Various pasta, pastry, white bread, pastry, semolina.
- Milk, fermented baked milk, sour cream, cream, cheese, both salty and spicy.
There are also products that stimulate the release of histamine, while they themselves are not allergens. These are cocoa, alcohol, coffee, chicken protein, honey, shrimp meat, pork liver, pineapples, strawberries, wheat. In addition, various type E supplements and preservatives can also cause allergies, which means exclusion from the diet during treatment.
Conclusion
As you can see, atopic dermatitis is not a disease that can be cured at a time, if only because its cause is a genetic predisposition.
To summarize, in order to feel good, you must constantly monitor nutrition and psychological state. Avoid stress, communication with unpleasant people, try to be more at sea. If possible, it is better to change the climate to marine. Of course, this is quite expensive, but health is much more expensive.
In general, value yourself, love yourself, protect not only your body, but also your soul, then there will be much less problems. Remember, all diseases are from nerves, so you are less stressed, and enjoy life more. You can survive any disease if you look at everything with a smile.