What Is Atopic Dermatitis?
What is Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) causes chronic skin irritation. It is often found in infants, teens, and adults. This disease often runs in families (is genetic). It may also be linked to allergies, such as hay fever and sometimes asthma. Patches of skin become dry, red, itchy, and scaly. In older adults, abnormally dry skin is often called xerosis. Sometimes eczema is only on the hands or feet. It often improves when the skin is well hydrated. It gets worse when the skin is dry. You can help control symptoms by practicing good self-care. Avoid anything that causes flare-ups (such as sunburn or vigorous scratching).
Where do you have symptoms?
Atopic dermatitis symptoms can appear anywhere on the body. But in most cases they vary based on the person’s age. In infants, irritation is often seen on the cheeks, chin, near the mouth, and under the eyelids. In children ages 2 through 10, skin folds, such as the backs of the knees, or in the arm crease, are most often affected. In children 11 and older and in adults, symptoms can affect many areas.
What triggers symptoms?
Symptoms flare because of many things. These include skin dryness, scratching, stress, harsh soaps, and irritants such as dust or wool. Try to avoid anything that causes flare-ups.
Recognizing what causes flare-ups
To figure out what causes atopic dermatitis to flare, keep a list of things that seem to affect your skin. Start by filling in the spaces below. Then keep writing them down in a notebook or diary. The things that affect each person vary. So keep your own list and try to avoid your triggers.
Updated:
March 16, 2019
Reviewed By:
Michael Lehrer MD