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Atopic dermatitis in infants is one of the diseases of civilization. At the beginning of the twentieth years, the symptoms of this disease were found in 1% of the population, while now the number of diagnosed cases has increased and it is estimated that close to? the population suffers from this condition. Most often, this disease is diagnosed in children under the age of 12 and in newborns. What is atopic dermatitis?
What is atopic dermatitis (AD)?
Atopic dermatitis is one of the most serious dermatological and allergic diseases, the source of which can be found in the patient’s genes. The condition is inherited, and a child whose parents have the condition is nearly 70 percent likely to develop atopy.
The first symptoms of atopic dermatitis appear in early childhood.
Atopic dermatitis is a condition whose origin has not been fully understood. This disease occurs when our immune system responds incorrectly to low doses of antigens, ie overproduces IgE antibodies against allergens. The body of a person suffering from atopy reacts very acutely to various types of allergens, which affect a specific reaction of the digestive system, respiratory system, eyes or skin. People suffering from atopic dermatitis have a genetic defect in the epidermis, which causes an abnormal composition in the surface layer of the skin, which makes it excessively exposed to allergens that cause dryness, hypersensitivity and itching.
Take care of your child’s skin and health. Order a Diather kit for a baby consisting of powder, probiotic, ointment and a test for urinary tract infections.
For adults with atopy, we recommend the DermoACM Cosmetic Set for atopic dermatitis, which consists of:
- DermoACM24 face and body cream for atopic skin,
- DermoACM relipidating face and body treatment for atopic skin,
- DermoACM face and body cleanser for atopic skin.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in infants
The first symptoms of atopic dermatitis in infants appear before the child is six months old. This disease is more common in girls than in boys, but in boys its course is much more severe than in girls. The main symptoms are dry and red skin and severe itching. Symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the age of the child. Atopic dermatitis in infants presents as an erythematous exudative rash that occurs on the scalp, on the face around the forehead and cheeks, and at the base of the ear lobes. For the care of such skin, use only properly adapted cosmetics, such as, for example, a gentle bath lotion and 2-in-1 shampoo with rice proteins and Anthyllis Baby hibiscus extract, which you can buy at a promotional price at Medonet Market.
W severe AD cases skin changes can also occur on the trunk, buttocks and the inside of the limbs and their bends. Skin lesions in infants may take the form of papules, vesicle scabs and erosions, and erythematous foci with visible borders. The baby’s cheeks look varnished, the erythema is blistered, and the baby’s hair is dull and brittle. Skin lesions in infants often resolve before the second year of life and the most common occurrence of this disease in infancy may herald the risk of developing other atopic diseases, such as bronchial asthma.
The causes of atopic dermatitis in infants
Atopic dermatitis is not contagious. This disease is caused mainly by the genetic predisposition of an infant, which is associated with a malfunctioning of the immune system and a defective structure of the epidermis. The nervous system has a significant influence on the development or exacerbation of this disease, e.g. long-term stress and environmental factors.
It is difficult to fight the genetic predisposition of an infant, but knowing what influences the appearance of the disease or its exacerbation can reduce the risk of developing the disease. The environmental factors that allow the development of AD are:
- allergens (dust, mites, pollen, animal and fungal allergens, food allergens),
- irritants (detergents, washing powder, soap, etc.),
- environment pollution,
- climatic conditions,
- stress.
The appearance or exacerbation of atopic dermatitis is influenced by the cessation of breastfeeding a child before the age of 4 months.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis in infants
Atopic dermatitis is an allergic chronic disease that cannot be treated causally, but only by alleviating its symptoms. This disease is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission, and its treatment is complex and associated with continuous observation of the condition of the skin especially for infants. Prevention is very important in this disease. Infants at risk of developing this disease due to the presence of allergic diseases in the family should be fed naturally (i.e. mother’s milk). Introduce other foods as late and gradually as possible.
What to do if the first symptoms of atopic dermatitis have already appeared? The infant should be limited in contact with environmental factors that cause the emergence or exacerbation of the disease, i.e. eliminate allergens from the diet and the child’s environment. It is very important to clean the places affected by the disease, not to overheat the baby’s body, to avoid woolen or artificial clothes that may irritate the baby’s skin, to use products intended for allergy sufferers, not to expose the baby to cigarette smoke and stay in dusty rooms.
It is worth cleaning the child’s skin with appropriate wipes suited to his skin. You can use the Neno Calor Electronic Wet Wipes Warmer, thanks to which the wipes will have the right temperature and will not cause discomfort to the child. After cleansing the skin, it is worth applying an appropriate anti-chafing preparation. We recommend, for example, Mediskin Baby Diaper Cream for diaper skin irritations for children.
You should properly care for your child’s skin using bath emollients, ointments and creams for atopic skin. However, if the baby’s skin requires pharmacological treatment, a dermatologist should be consulted, who will prescribe an ointment containing glucocorticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs or antihistamines. In severe cases of the disease, he will order ultraviolet irradiation, the so-called phototherapy or the use of desensitization.