Atopic dermatitis is a common, long-lasting skin disease that affects a large percentage of the world's population. Atopic dermatitis includes asthma, allergies, and eczema. There is a known hereditary component of the disease, and it is seen more in some families. The word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin whereas "Atopic" refers to diseases that are hereditary and often occur together. In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes very itchy and inflamed which causes redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling.

Causes

The cause of atopic dermatitis is not known, but the disease seems to result from a combination of genetic as well as environmental factors. Many evidences show that the disease is associated with other atopic disorders such as seasonal allergies and asthma, which many people with atopic dermatitis also have. While emotional factors and stress may in some cases help in initiating the condition, they do not seem to be the primary cause for the disorder.

Symptoms

Although symptoms of Atopic dermatitis may vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are dry, itchy and red skin. The most commonly affected skin areas include the folds of the arms, the back of the knees, wrists, face, and hands. The itchy feeling is an important factor in Atopic dermatitis, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation. Some people with the disease develop red, scaling skin. Many others develop papules, or small raised bumps, on their skin while suffering from Atopic dermatitis.

Treatment

The doctor has three main goals in treating Atopic dermatitis which is healing the skin and keeping it healthy, preventing flares, and treating symptoms as and when they do occur. Regularly using one recommended soap and one moisturizer is very important for the treatment of this disease. One should not take very long baths with hot water. Also once one has finished taking a bath one should pat dry oneself and then lubricate immediately to maintain moisture.

One should immediately consult a doctor if they are suffering from Atopic dermatitis so that the skin disorder can be treated properly and one should provide full cooperation to cure the skin disorder as soon as possible.