What is atopic dermatitis and why does it appear on the skin?
I can't stop scratching! I have spent my whole life feeling itchy and inflamed all over my body. Until now I always thought I had sensitive skin, but my dermatologist told me I have atopic dermatitis! But... what exactly is atopic dermatitis?
What is the atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a condition in which a person's skin becomes dry , inflamed or even itchy . However, you do not have to be alarmed if you have contact with other people because it is not contagious . In any case, it is a chronic dermatological disease ; that is, it lasts over time and usually worsens periodically. In addition, atopic dermatitis is only one type of dermatitis, since there are some more such as seborrheic (dandruff) or contact dermatitis.
Although according to different studies, children are the ones who suffer the most from this skin problem, it is also common to see adults with these symptoms , since between 1% and 3% of the adult population suffers from it.
What symptoms does atopic dermatitis have?
Among the most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are dry, cracked skin , inflammation and irritation of the epidermis , crusting or darkening of the skin around the eyes , and sensitivity to scratching due to itching . Being such annoying symptoms, they often condition the daily routine of the people who suffer from it. Also, although the symptoms of atopic dermatitis can appear anywhere in the dermis, the most common areas where symptoms appear are the knees and elbows , for example.
Why does atopic dermatitis appear?
Most people suffer from atopic dermatitis due to a genetic variation that affects the protective capacity of the skin . Thus, the skin becomes unable to retain the moisture that the dermis must have, making its barrier function against bacteria or external factors (tobacco smoke or sunlight, for example) impossible.
In other people, however, atopic dermatitis appears due to the reproduction of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin. This bacterium manages to replace the benign bacteria on the skin , interrupting its protective function.
In these cases, having such a weak barrier function , the immune system creates a response to combat this weakness , which is why the skin becomes inflamed and irritated (among many other symptoms that we have discussed before).
If you want to know how to treat atopic dermatitis , keep reading!
