How to care for skin with atopic dermatitis

This article will be useful to everyone who has already visited a dermatologist, received a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, but did not fully understand how to care for their skin. Let’s try to explain.

What is atopic dermatitis

If you are reading this text, then most likely you had to deal with the problem of atopic dermatitis, or neurodermatitis. And you know it’s a kind of allergy.

The very word “atopic” means “weird”. Our distant ancestors did not understand why such a punishment falls to a person, and most often to a baby who did not have time to do anything bad in his life.

It has now been established that the fundamental cause of atopic dermatitis lies in heredity.

  • 10% is the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in a child if nothing like this was observed in the family.

  • 50% – if one of the parents had (has) dermatitis in childhood or adulthood.

  • Up to 80% – if a similar disease was diagnosed in both parents.

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Signs of atopic dermatitis

In both children and adults, the picture is approximately the same.

  • Very dry, rough areas of skin with peeling and cracks – most often on the cheeks, behind the ears, on the bends of the elbows, shins, neck folds, on the chest, buttocks. And all this is accompanied by itching.

  • If it is not possible to quickly understand the cause and establish softening care, the process is aggravated, especially if you comb the affected areas. Blisters appear, the skin begins to get wet.

  • In the absence of reasonable care, a bacterial infection can join, because the immunity of irritated skin is extremely weak.

    The skin itches, but scratching only increases the sensation of itching, and the itching causes more and more desire to scratch the skin.

Often people talk about the “vicious circle of atopy”.
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Causes of atopic dermatitis

Despite the “strangeness” of the disease, preserved in its name, scientists agreed that atopic dermatitis is a form of allergy. And, as a rule, its first stage. Further, the allergy develops on the rise: dermatitis – rhinitis – asthma. Therefore, it must be taken with all seriousness.

An allergic reaction can be caused by a variety of factors.

  • Food. In children under 3 years old, an allergy often occurs to milk protein, after 3 years – to cereals. In adults, the most common allergens include eggs, citrus fruits, chocolate, seafood, nuts, colorful fruits, vegetables, and berries.

  • Dust – up to 70% of cases. More precisely, the waste products of dust mites, which number up to 60–70 per 1 g of dust, even in an apartment where clean people live.

  • Chemical substances as part of household chemicals, for example, washing powder. Dyes, preservatives, even polyethylene can cause contact dermatitis.

  • Plant pollen.

In recent years, there has been much talk about the relationship between the gut microbiome and manifestations of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is important to discuss with your doctor the choice of the right probiotics.

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Skin care for atopic dermatitis in adults

After the source of the problem is found, and even in the process of searching for it, the main thing is competent, gentle, healing skin care.

Purification

The ideal solution is products designed specifically for people with atopic dermatitis. In remission, a micellar lotion may be considered. This applies to both facial and body care. However, when choosing between a micellar lotion and a cleanser, it is important to focus on subjective feelings – which is more comfortable for the skin.

Ekaterina Turubara, Vichy Medical Consultant: “The first micellar formulations were not developed for make-up removal, but specifically for cleansing the skin with dermatitis.”

humidification

Of course, the right choice is special tools. And even during remission, when the skin looks perfect (or almost perfect), you should not give up cosmetics for hypersensitive skin.

Alexander Prokofiev, medical consultant at La Roche-Posay: “After cleansing, you need to use emollients to moisturize the skin. Outside of an exacerbation, it is necessary to moisturize the skin at least twice a day, and preferably when dryness occurs. During an exacerbation, the frequency of applications of emollients increases.

Itching Relief

In solving this problem, both special means of local application and thermal water help. You can spray it directly on irritated areas or apply a cotton pad soaked with it, thereby soothing the skin.

Alexander Prokofiev: “Controlling itching all day long is difficult, but to minimize discomfort, it can be recommended to keep a Lipikar Stick AP on hand. It will soothe the skin, helping to reduce itching, and help break the vicious cycle of itching-scratching-itching.

Sun protection

The protective properties of skin with atopic dermatitis are close to zero. Therefore, all open areas in the sunny season should be protected with pharmacy cosmetics, as they take into account the needs of the most vulnerable skin. If this “line of defense” is neglected, then there is a risk of exacerbating the existing troubles with photodermatosis.

After cleansing, use emollients to moisturize the skin.

There are no contraindications to the use of children’s sunscreens formulated to the strictest standards under the supervision of dermatologists and pediatricians.

Scalp care

Atopic dermatitis is often accompanied by dry dandruff. But do not rush to buy an “anti-dandruff” shampoo, look for the wording “for sensitive scalp” on the label. And only brands of pharmacy cosmetics.

If possible, irrigate the scalp with thermal water before washing.
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Peculiarities of skin care for a child with atopic dermatitis

In general, the basic stages of care for children and adults do not differ. The only difference is an even more careful attitude to children’s skin. And it is obvious that caring for a baby’s hair is unlikely to require a special shampoo – it is better to get by with a cleanser for washing the delicate skin of the body.

Some pharmaceutical brands are developing special lines of skin care for atopic dermatitis, which can be used from the first days of life.

It must be understood that a rare baby, especially a city dweller, does not know skin problems. You can’t ignore them if you want to minimize the risk of growing up these problems with your child. Therefore, it is important to be patient.

Some pharmaceutical brands develop special care lines for skin with atopic dermatitis, which can be used from the first days of life.

Newborns are typically lipid barrier deficient

Nine months in the aquatic environment make themselves felt. And if moisturizing and nourishing care is not established from the first days, the skin can easily become hypersensitive. It is especially important to carefully handle all places of folds, folds. We talked about the most common areas of irritation and dryness at the very beginning of the article.

The immune system is not yet formed

It’s hard to believe, but its formation ends only by the age of 14. Therefore, it is especially important not only to protect the skin as the first barrier organ, but also to introduce new foods very carefully when it comes to complementary foods. Especially if there are allergies in the family.

Clothes and diapers

A few simple but very valuable tips:

  1. Even the healthiest babies are at risk of developing diaper dermatitis. And with a tendency to atopic reactions, it is important to change diapers as often as possible, having previously selected the optimal manufacturer.

  2. Watch your clothes: the seams, the quality of the fabric – all this can cause skin irritation. And skin irritation in a baby is a restless dream for the whole family.

  3. Wash your child’s clothes only with hypoallergenic detergents designed for children’s clothes.

  4. Old-school tips like drying clothes in the sun and ironing on both sides are still in effect to minimize the risk of unwanted microorganisms getting on delicate skin.

Smochil – smeared

This is the golden rule for skin care with atopic dermatitis. There are no restrictions on the frequency of application of creams intended for children with atopy. After all, after each contact with water, the skin must be calmed and its protective properties strengthened.

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Skin care products for atopic dermatitis

Purification

Lipikar Syndet AP+, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+ Lipikar Syndet AP+, La Roche-Posay

Shea butter, vitamin B3, thermal water determine the mild hypoallergenic composition of the product, created specifically for atopic skin.

For face

Lipid-replenishing balm for face and body Lipikar Baume AP +, La Roche-Posay

The balm is applied to cleansed skin, it softens, soothes, reduces the risk of relapses. In the composition – shea butter and canola, vitamin B3, as well as bacterial lysate, which restores the microflora on the surface of the skin and strengthens its protective barrier.

For skin prone to itching

Care for skin prone to irritation and itching, Lipikar Stick AP+, La Roche-Posay

Immediately after applying this product to dry, irritated areas, the skin calms down. The stick can be used an unlimited number of times. Suitable for baby skin too.

Thermal water

Thermal water Vichy

The mineral composition (15 minerals) strengthens the skin’s defenses and promotes its speedy recovery, normalizes the pH balance and soothes. Learn more about Vichy skin care products.

Thermal water La Roche-Posay

This water is rich in selenium, one of the minerals fundamental for the antioxidant defense of the body. Reduces irritation, neutralizes itching, softens the skin.

Sun protection

Milk for babies and children Anthelios “Dermo-Kids Baby”, SPF 50+, La Roche-Posay

This milk is suitable for babies from 6 months. The composition is designed taking into account the characteristics of sensitive skin prone to irritation and atopy.

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