Atopic dermatitis or commonly called eczema is a form of skin inflammation characterized by itching and rashes that come and go and dry skin. There is no cure for this condition, but proper treatment can help control and relieve the symptoms.
Atopic dermatitis is more common in people who have a family history of the disease. This disease is also more prone to appear in people who suffer from allergies, such as protein allergies, and asthma. Atopic dermatitis usually first appears at the age of less than five years.
Each patient may experience different symptoms. In toddlers, symptoms of atopic dermatitis can include scaly, red, and crusty skin on the cheeks, scalp, hands, or feet.
While in children aged over 5 years to adults, the symptoms that often appear are red rashes and severe itching in the area of the knee folds, elbows, back of the neck, wrists and feet, to the groin and buttocks.
In addition to these symptoms, there are several other symptoms that can be experienced by people with atopic eczema, namely:
- A rash that blisters and oozes fluid.
- The skin around the eyes and the area with atopic dermatitis becomes darker.
- Dry and scaly skin.
- The skin on the wrists and/or the area under the eyes thickens and shrivels up.
- Cracked skin, peeling, to bleed.
- Difficulty sleeping due to itching.
Because it can cause severe itching, people with atopic dermatitis tend to scratch their skin when symptoms of this disease recur. This can make the skin sore and infected.
Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms at Home
Some simple steps that can be done at home to deal with the recurrence of symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:
1. Using the right bath soap
Use soaps that contain moisturizers, and avoid using soaps that contain dyes and fragrances because they can irritate the skin. Also avoid using antiseptic soap because it can cause the skin to become dry and itchy.
2. Compress the skin with a compress warm
When symptoms recur, compress the area that has atopic dermatitis with a soft towel or cloth that has been soaked in warm water. In addition to compressing the skin with a warm compress, you can also take a warm bath to relieve itching.
3. Wearing clothes that absorb sweat
One of the triggers for itching and rashes in people with atopic dermatitis is moist skin due to wearing clothes that do not absorb sweat. Therefore, people with atopic dermatitis are recommended to wear clothes made of soft, cool, and can absorb sweat, such as cotton.
4. Use a special moisturizer
To overcome the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, generally required medication from a doctor that serves to reduce inflammation and relieve itching. Treatment of atopic dermatitis varies, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
In addition to giving medicine, doctors will usually also advise patients to use moisturizers made from special ingredients. Choose a moisturizing product that contains the following active ingredients:
- Glycerin
- Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
- Hyaluronic acid
- Lanolin
- Petrolatum or petroleum
- Stearic acid
- Natural ingredients, such as olive oil and shea butter
These ingredients can keep the skin moist and repair damaged skin, so that the skin with atopic dermatitis does not get dry and itchy.
There are also moisturizing products with anti-inflammatory properties that are good for treating atopic dermatitis symptoms, such as: glycyrrhetinic acid, palmitoylethanolamine, telmesteine, grape extract, niacinamide or vitamin B3, and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with shea butter and hyaluronic acid.
Use the moisturizing product according to the doctor's recommendations or the instructions for use listed on the packaging label. Generally, moisturizers need to be applied twice a day to dry, inflamed skin caused by atopic dermatitis.
Controlling Atopic Dermatitis Recurrence Easily
The following are some ways you can do to prevent atopic dermatitis from recurring:
- Know what triggers atopic dermatitis and try to avoid them. Some things that can trigger and worsen this condition are dust, pollution, cigarette smoke, cold and dry air, soap or detergent products, excessive sweating, stress, and certain foods, such as milk or eggs.
- Take a bath twice a day with warm water. It is recommended not to take a long shower, just 5-10 minutes. This is because prolonged bathing can dry out the skin.
- Use a soft towel to dry the body after bathing. Try not to rub the towel against your skin. Just gently pat the towel against your skin, especially on areas affected by atopic dermatitis.
- Apply moisturizer all over the body after every shower, before bed, when in an air-conditioned room for a long time, or as recommended by a doctor.
Atopic dermatitis can appear and recur at any time. The severity can also vary. By knowing the triggers and how to treat the skin properly, it is hoped that the recurrence and severity of this disease can be reduced.
Extra patience and patience are needed in dealing with atopic dermatitis, especially during relapses. The more stressed and scratched, the more severe this condition will be.
Immediately consult a doctor if symptoms persist despite all attempts at home treatment. Especially if the symptoms of atopic dermatitis have interfered with sleep and daily activities, or pus appears in problem areas of the skin, accompanied by fever.