Atopic dermatitis, often found in adults, is a pathology that belongs to the category of allergic diseases in which the skin is affected. The disease is usually severe and is currently one of the most common affecting the epidermis. The disease is explained by genetic factors, chronic, it is impossible to completely cure it. Manifestations are quite typical, therefore, diagnosis is usually not particularly difficult. If atopic dermatitis is detected, you should understand what provokes exacerbations, regularly take preventive measures to avoid relapse.
General view
Atopic dermatitis, so common in adults, manifests itself primarily in itchy skin. However, the disease is found not only in the adult population - at risk are people of all age groups. Pathology is one of the local ones, it reflects internal disorders, the malfunction of the patient's immunity. After diagnosis, you will have to undergo comprehensive treatment in order to normalize the immune system. Treating only the symptoms will not give a reliable result - you should work with the root cause. Choosing a drug treatment program for a patient, the doctor prescribes a course of immunomodulators. To alleviate the condition of the patient, local drugs are additionally prescribed.
In children and adults, atopic dermatitis is quite common, therefore, the fight against the disease is one of the acute issues of modern medicine. Already now we can say that science has stepped far ahead with respect to the methods and means available to doctors several decades ago, and yet there are no sufficiently effective solutions to cure the disease. A patient diagnosed with atypical dermatitis should carefully follow the recommendations of the attending doctor. You should not try to cure the disease yourself, using only folk remedies - such treatment options are allowed only as auxiliary and in consultation with the doctor, otherwise there is a high risk of harming yourself. Effective interaction between the patient and the specialist, understanding and support of the family and relatives are important factors for the success of the treatment program.
The main nuances
Usually an autoimmune disease manifests itself even in childhood, but medicine also knows cases where atopic dermatitis first appeared in an adult who had never before encountered a similar problem. And yet, half of all patients meet with manifestations of dermatitis in the first year of life, the predominant part is before reaching the age of six months. Somewhat less often in clinical practice, atopic dermatitis is first diagnosed at the age of five and so on. The rarest case is the primary manifestation of the disease in patients who are already 30, or even 50 years old.
It is known that pathology often develops in men. The most striking manifestation of the disease is severe itching. Relative to irritants, the skin shows hyperreactivity. Shortly after an itch, a rash appears. Sensations are slightly weaker in the morning and in the afternoon, are activated in the evening, shortly before bedtime. The affected areas swell, rashes form, the patient uncontrollably combes the affected areas.
It should be noted: in children and adults, atopic dermatitis on the arms, legs and other parts of the body is not a danger to others - the disease is not contagious. With exacerbations, pathology can be seen from the side with the naked eye, the skin dries, the integument is irritated. Sometimes the picture is rather unpleasant, but there is nothing to be afraid of - dermatitis will not spread to a healthy one, even if contact occurs directly with the affected area of the skin. It must be remembered that the problem not only looks unaesthetic, but also delivers strong unpleasant sensations to the patient - physical, psychological. Relapses, which are frequent with dermatitis, lead to a deterioration in the condition of the body as a whole. The immune system is weakened, the patient suffers from the manifestations of the disease, the quality of life decreases, performance decreases. Against the background of dermatitis, nervous breakdowns are possible.
Where did the trouble come from?
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in adults are diverse, but it rarely happens that they appear in a person for the first time at adulthood - usually the experience of exploring seizures comes much earlier. Scientists do not yet know exactly what exactly leads to the formation of the problem, but probably the main reason is genetic disorders. If among the next of kin there are asthmatics suffering from dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, the probability of atopic dermatitis is estimated at 50%. If both parents are sick with this form of skin disease, in 80% of cases the child inherits it. Genes transmitted by the mother play a greater role.
There is a higher probability that atopic dermatitis on the face, limbs, body will manifest itself in children, adults, if a person is allergic to any substances, whether it is medicines, fluff or wool, dust or materials, food. Higher risks, if the individual often finds himself in stressful situations, is faced with nervous strain in everyday life, spends little time in the fresh air, does not experience adequate physical exertion.
Unhealthy nutrition, an excess of refined food, a lack of vitamins, fiber, as well as poor environmental conditions, pollution of the space, sharp temperature changes, and humidity changes can play a role. Dermatitis is more likely to occur if the patient undergoes a long course of treatment with antimicrobials, anesthetics, and other drugs. All these causes of atopic dermatitis in adults and children are triggering factors that trigger a negative response of an allergy-prone organism.
How to notice?
In some, dermatitis manifests itself rather weakly, but for others, each recurrence turns into a real nightmare. Much depends on the age of the patient, the presence of background diseases, environmental conditions. It is known that in autumn, spring, symptoms of atopic dermatitis are more often observed. Treatment in adults and children during this period is especially difficult. It is the change of seasons that is the most difficult time for an allergy sufferer, since the body's own defenses are depressed, immunity is reduced, which makes a person more susceptible to external aggressive factors.
It is not difficult to identify the disease - the skin dries, the skin is itchy, irritated, a rash appears. The itching is so strong that it leads to sleep disturbances and provokes nervous breakdowns. Most often, the disease manifests itself on the face, head, perineum, fossa under the knees, on the neck and arms, in the chest area. The skin is inflamed, the color changes to red, vesicles filled with a cloudy liquid form, the process is accompanied by severe itching. Having opened, these areas first get wet, then a yellow crust forms.
Features of manifestation
Due to severe itching, patients comb the affected areas, which can cause complications. In such conditions, the treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults and children is especially difficult. Most often, infection with staphylococcus, streptococci is observed. During an exacerbation of the disease, the integuments become wet, thicken, their color changes to darker, and swelling occurs. At the same time, immunity decreases, the work of various glands is lost. Against the background of dermatitis, various mental disorders are possible: some become inhibited, others are prone to tantrums, unduly excitable.
The treatment of atopic dermatitis in adult patients in old age has its own characteristics. The disease proceeds somewhat differently than in other age groups: papules, plaques appear, often spreading over the surface of the whole body. The skin dries, becomes inflamed, swells. With prolonged use of hormonal drugs, a complication in the form of hypocorticism is possible. The adrenal glands work weakly, the tone of the body decreases, blood sugar decreases, the patient loses weight and quickly gets tired. Often the disease is accompanied by a deterioration in the quality of hair on the back of the head, flushing, peeling of the feet.
What to do?
How to treat atopic dermatitis in adults, the doctor will tell at the appointment. To determine the optimal strategy, take tests, identify which allergen caused the relapse. Based on the information received, the doctor formulates a drug program and gives nutrition tips. Usually prescribed a course of antihistamines, drugs for an allergic reaction. They take medications to remove general poisoning of the body, tranquilizers and stopping the inflammatory process compounds. For successful treatment, it is important to stabilize the patient’s mental state and human emotions, since a stressful situation leads to an exacerbation. Usually, the doctor prescribes a course of sedatives, sometimes antidepressants. Selection is always carried out individually, a universal solution does not exist.
The main component of the therapeutic program is antihistamines that are effective in atopic dermatitis in adults. The photo below shows the packaging of one of the most popular products - Tavegil. The drug "Suprastin" is in no less demand. True, you can’t use them every day, the risk of addiction is high, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of treatment.
When using, you need to remember that these medications can provoke drowsiness, which means you can not use them if the patient can not refuse to drive a car and solve other problems that require an increased concentration of attention. To get around this point, doctors recommend resorting to second-generation antihistamines. The most famous remedy is Claritin. The medicines Astemizole and Cetirizine have a good reputation. All of them do not adversely affect the nervous system.
Therapy: an integrated approach
Hormonal drugs against atopic dermatitis in adults are also widely used in treatment. The photo below reflects the packaging of one of the most common products - Metipred. Another drug often prescribed by doctors is Triamcinolone. If there is severe poisoning of the body, put a dropper with saline or prescribe the drug "Hemodez." With a complication expressed in foci of infection, it is necessary to undergo a course of antimicrobial therapy. The standard duration is a week. If dermatitis is accompanied by infection with the herpetic virus, Acyclovir comes to the rescue. To bring the stomach and intestines back to normal, it is recommended to use enzyme medicines - “Festal” and similar ones. Pro-prebiotics, such as Linex, will benefit. These tools help cleanse the body of toxic compounds, normalize the intestinal microflora, which negatively affects the course of antibiotics.
For the treatment of local manifestations, you can use ointments, creams, lotions that have anti-inflammatory effects, relieve swelling, stop itching, and redness. The doctor usually prescribes antihistamines for topical use. Treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults with folk remedies involves lotions of decoction on oak bark. Zinc-containing ointments and a delaxin solution will benefit. If crusts have formed, the skin becomes wet, lotions with antiseptics, disinfectants should be done. A good effect is shown by chamomile infusion, Burov's liquid. When the inflammation subsides, sulfuric or tar-based substances are used to eliminate itching.
Folk Wisdom Against Dermatitis
Alternative medicine suggests the use of compounds that eliminate excessive dryness, stopping itching. Salt baths, blackcurrant decoctions, and also cooked on oats and oak bark will benefit. These plants contain useful compounds that enhance immunity, the body's ability to resist aggressive factors. Alternative treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults must necessarily be combined with medication, therefore, the choice of drugs should be agreed with the doctor so that different drugs do not conflict.
Power Features
An important factor that allows you to quickly cope with a relapse of the disease is a diet for atopic dermatitis in adults. It is impossible to achieve a positive outcome if the patient does not adhere to a special nutrition program. Chocolate, citruses and whole milk will have to be completely eliminated from the diet. Patients are forced to abandon rich broths, all spicy, salty, as well as smoked meats and animal fats. You can’t eat honey and strawberries, mushrooms and fried, eggs and nuts are prohibited. Atopic dermatitis is an occasion to limit the use of melons, pomegranates, fish roe. It is completely unacceptable that preservatives, dyes, aromatic additives enter the food.
The menu for atopic dermatitis in adults should include vegetable oils, vegetables and root vegetables, including potatoes, but the exception is beets. You should regularly eat green apples, pamper yourself with bananas, boiled meat and fish (exclusively low-fat varieties). It is recommended to eat cereals. Only the right diet is a truly effective method of reinforcing successful drug therapy. By introducing such useful habits into your everyday life, as well as eliminating contact with an allergen, you can effectively prevent a relapse of the disease.
Attention to little things
To slightly alleviate the condition, with atopic dermatitis you should drink as much clean liquid as possible. It is recommended daily to drink a couple of liters of water without impurities and additives, as well as regularly drink herbal teas, compotes and natural juices. You should spend fasting days, practice therapeutic fasting. This approach to nutrition allows you to cleanse the body of harmful compounds, which means that the toxic components, metabolic products will leave tissues and organs faster, the patient’s condition will improve.
With atopic dermatitis, it is recommended not to use clothing made of wool or synthetics, as these materials activate itching. Another important point is the extremely careful observance of personal hygiene. You will have to abandon the soap, instead use only those products that moisturize the skin, are recommended for the dry type and have a positive effect on it. You will have to adjust your lifestyle so as not to encounter sudden temperature changes. It is necessary to avoid overheating, hypothermia. The volume of water procedures should be within reason, and pools filled with chlorinated water should be completely abandoned. Bathing in the sea will be useful, since salt has a positive effect on diseased skin.
Disease complications
Atopic dermatitis is dangerous not only in itself, but also the consequences that it can cause. The most common are atrophic processes in the skin, accompanied by bacterial infection. The patient is faced with pyoderma. The more intensively the patient combs the affected skin areas, the higher the likelihood of deep infection with microbes and fungi. Pyoderma is accompanied by pustular skin lesions that dry out over time. Under the influence of bacterial microflora, fever begins, well-being becomes worse, working capacity and quality of life decrease.
Quite often, atopic dermatitis is complicated by viral infection. Rashes develop not only in the foci of inflammation, but also on other parts of the body, both on the skin and on the mucous membranes. There is a high probability of the appearance of painful vesicles in the perineum, oral cavity, in the throat and near the eyes.