Atopic skin: what is it?

Atopic dermatitis is a fairly common problem. This ailment is associated with allergic reactions. It is accompanied by a rash, redness of the skin, the formation of cracks on it. Atopic skin is the result of a sluggish allergic process in the body. It is characterized by increased sensitivity and dryness, which in certain conditions flows into a full dermatitis. Naturally, people with this type of skin should know what the causes of the pathology are and how to avoid complications.

Atopic skin: what is it?

To begin with, it is worthwhile to understand the features of pathology. In fact, such a diagnosis as “atopic skin” does not exist. In modern medicine they talk about atopic dermatitis. This is an allergic disease that affects the skin of a person. It is associated with hypersensitivity of the immune system, since an increase in the level of specific immunoglobulin E. is observed in the patient’s body.

According to statistics, 10-20% of the world's population have a tendency to ailment. As a rule, the disease manifests itself in childhood, in the first years of a child’s life. Most often, with proper treatment, the ailment goes away as you grow older. But there are people who have to deal with this problem throughout their lives. Dryness, increased irritability and sensitivity to physical and chemical influences - all these signs are well known to those with atopic skin. A similar phenomenon is associated with sluggish allergic and inflammatory processes.

The main causes of the development of the disease

There is a reason that a person has atopic skin. What it is? In this case, a change in the condition of the skin is associated with impaired functioning of the immune system.

As already mentioned, patients usually have a certain genetic predisposition. Nevertheless, several risk factors that provoke the development of an allergic reaction can be distinguished:

• Body contact with allergens. In this case, food allergens (in particular milk, eggs, some fruits, cocoa, and other substances that enter the body when eating) can act as triggers, microorganisms (an allergic reaction can be triggered by the activation of staphylococci, fungal microorganisms), inhaled allergens (animal hair, dust mites, plant pollen).
• Physical effects, in particular, too dry air, sudden and rapid changes in temperature.
• An allergic reaction may be associated with infectious diseases.
• Skin contact with certain chemicals, in particular cosmetics and detergents.
• The work of the immune system is closely related to the hormonal background. Therefore, risk factors include severe stresses, which are accompanied by a sharp fluctuation in hormone levels.

Atopic skin: what is it? Photo and main symptoms

The sooner the patient receives treatment, the less likely the development of complications. So what changes is characterized by atopic skin? Symptoms may vary.

Redness appears on the body. The skin in the affected areas becomes dry and very sensitive - often touching or moving hurt a person. As the disease develops, the epidermis begins to peel off greatly. Another symptom is itching in the affected areas, and due to scratching on the skin, scuffs, scratches and even cracks often occur. Due to wounds on the skin, atopic dermatitis is often complicated by bacterial or fungal diseases.

Of course, such signs are observed only during exacerbations. The rest of the time, atopic skin is simply too dry and sensitive, and you can’t get rid of dryness with the usual moisturizing creams.

In addition, patients with similar features suffer from cracking of the skin on the feet and increased sweating. Often you can observe the formation of dark circles under the eyes, flaky papules on the wings of the nose, as well as thinning and weakening of the hair.

Diagnostic measures

Atopic skin is a serious problem, but you should not try to diagnose yourself. Leave it to dermatologists. As a rule, a visual examination by a specialist is enough to suspect a patient's tendency to dermatitis. In the future, other tests are carried out, in particular a blood test for the level of immunoglobulins and eosinophils (their number increases significantly with an allergic reaction).

There is another way to determine if the patient has atopic skin. What it is? Skin tests are an important diagnostic measure. During the procedure, groups of certain allergens are applied to the patient's skin, after which the body's reaction to these substances is checked. Thus, the doctor has the opportunity to determine which factors the patient should avoid. For example, some people are advised to exclude certain foods from the diet, while others are contraindicated in keeping pets.

Exacerbation treatment

What to do if you have atopic skin? How to treat a disease? In fact, drug therapy is needed only at the stage of exacerbation.

As a rule, to begin with, patients are prescribed antihistamines (Tavegil and others), which eliminate edema, expand subcutaneous capillaries, and block the development of an allergic reaction. Antibacterial drugs are necessary if there is a suspicion of a secondary infection. In order to restore the normal intestinal microflora and improve the immune system, doctors prescribe probiotics. Steroid drugs have a more pronounced effect - they almost instantly stop allergic and inflammatory processes, but prescribe such drugs only in the most severe cases.

Topical treatments

Atopic skin is just that condition in which topical medications are needed. The complex of drugs is selected by the attending physician. The patient is prescribed ointments that can eliminate inflammation in the treated areas ("Radevit"). Since dermatitis is often associated with an inadequate response of the nominal system, ointments-immunosuppressants can be used that slightly inhibit the activity of immunoglobulins, allowing skin tissues to recover (Epidel, Timogen).

It is necessary to use drugs that accelerate the growth of epithelium in the affected areas. In some cases, glucocorticosteroid ointments are additionally used.

Proper cleansing and hydration of atopic skin

Moisturizing and cleansing is what atopic skin requires. Medication certainly helps to eliminate the symptoms of exacerbation, but the patient's skin remains sensitive and dry.

Water procedures are, of course, important. The skin needs to be cleaned daily, observing some rules. Dry skin does not like high temperatures, so patients are advised to take a quick shower or a warm bath with the addition of medicinal decoctions.

Chlorine dries the skin even more and can provoke an allergy, therefore it is recommended to use only purified water. Do not rub your skin with a washcloth or towel.

Familiar cosmetics are unlikely to suit the owners of atopic skin, so you should definitely consult a cosmetologist who will help you choose special products. By the way, patients are often recommended to use special creams and emulsions, which contain lipids - they create a special protective film on the skin, while retaining moisture in the tissues.

Some helpful suggestions

Atopic facial skin needs proper care, since otherwise the likelihood of complications is high. There are several rules that experienced dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend adhering to:

• It is very important to avoid exposure to dry air on the skin - in the best case scenario, the humidity should always be maintained at 60% (you can easily buy a portable air humidifier in the store or use a regular spray bottle).
• People with skin prone to irritation are advised to wear clothes made from natural fabrics (linen, silk, cotton) without rough seams.
• The human diet should be rich in vitamins B ₆ , D and C. It is also worth increasing the number of foods containing zinc and selenium. Twice a year, patients are recommended to take vitamin complexes for general recovery.
• It is worth abandoning potentially dangerous products that can cause allergies (citrus fruits, milk, eggs, chocolate, coffee).
• Pay attention to the powder used - clothes and bedding should be washed with special hypoallergenic products.

Folk recipes

Many people experience a medical report called “atopic facial skin”. What is it and what are the causes of this phenomenon - we have already figured out. Of course, medications and properly selected cosmetics will help eliminate excessive dryness and prevent the development of high-grade dermatitis.

But there are some traditional medicine that are widely used to care for problem skin:

• To better moisturize and soften coarsened areas, experts recommend using avocado or shea butter, as these products contain a large amount of phytosterols.
• You can prepare a compress for the skin, pouring water on the young leaves of a pear.
• Patients are also recommended to take warm baths with the addition of herbal decoctions. In particular, decoctions from oak bark, string or oats will be beneficial for the state of the dermis.
• Since the exacerbation of the disease is often associated with stress, patients are advised to take peony tincture or valerian tablets.

Atopic skin is a problem that many people have to live with. Proper care and timely treatment will help to cope with the disease and prevent the development of complications.