INTRODUCTION-
Atopic dermatitis is a general terms that describes a common skin irritation.it has many causes and forms and it usually involves itchy,dry skin or rashes.also known as atopic eczema.it is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by pruritic,erythematous,and scaly skin lesion.it often localized to the flexor surfaces
atopic dermatitis is one of the most prevalent in all skin diseases which accounts for 10-20% cases and has been steadily growing in recent times. Atopic dermatitis not complicated but some trouble like itching, bleeding and severe pain. females are more commonly affected than man. It tends to come and go and may only be in childhood or may affect your entire life. If people with light-colored skin, atopic dermatitis looks like red rashes. People with darker skin may develop brown, purple or gray rashes. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic or recurrent inflammatory skin disease.it usually begins in the first few years of life and is often the initial indication that a child may later develop asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (hay fever).In infants, eczema usually appears as tiny bumps on the cheeks. Older children and adults often experience rashes on the knees, elbows(often in the folds of the joints),on the backs of hands or on the scalp.AD is the most common type of eczema, and can overlap with other types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is commonly associated with elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE).
Causes -The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known but the disease seems to result from- Dry, irritable skin, which reduces the skin’s ability to be an effective barrier.
A gene variation that affects skin barrier function, dysfunction of the immune system.
Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, on the skin these bacterias create a film that blocks the sweat glands,Environmental conditions,Drug overuse,stress.
Symptoms– some people will have their first signs of eczema before they are 5 years old. Infants may have reddish, crusted and scaly areas on their cheeks, scalp, or the front of their arms and legs.
Children and adults usually have very itchy, red rashes on the back of the neck and knees and in elbow creases. small bumps and flaky skin.The rash may also develop on the face, wrists, and forearms.If you scratch, skin get thick, dark, and scarred.when you go to bed at night so itching is usually worse.Scratching can also lead to infection.You will notice red bumps that hurt and can be filled with pus.
Other symptoms of atopic dermatitis includes-
Skin are dry and scaly,Rash that bubbles up,then weeps clear fluid,Cracks on skin that hurts and sometimes bleeds.Skin creasing on the palms of the hand or under the eye,Darkening of skin around the eyes.
COMPLICATIONS – the most common long term complications of AD.
Skin infection – fragile,damaged skin from AD can increase the risk of skin infection,it causes inflammation of skin and pus filled bumps,lead to high contagious impetigo,eczema herpetics by herpetic virus.
Asthma and allergies – AD increases the risk of asthma, which constricts and inflamed airways, making it difficult to breath. and increases the possibility of developing food allergies.
Eye-problems – Atopic dermatitis makes your eyes itchy,causing you to rub them frequently,you may get pink eyes or keratoconus,a rare condition where the cornea gets thinner and forms a cone shape,both conditions require an ophthalmologist.
Mental health issues – managing the symptoms and lifestyle implication of AD such as avoiding some activities or having lower self esteem, can affect your mental health, often lead to anxiety and depression, you feel embarrassed by inflamed, patchy skin, you may feel isolating, which makes depression worse.
Sleep problem – intense itching causes difficulty in staying asleep and frequent sleep deprivation can potentially damage your job performance,personal relationship and mental stability.
Precautions -Here is some general advice for management of AD-
(1)Protect your skin by applying a moisturizer at least twice every day, including periods when problems burst out or eczema is under control.Thick moisturizers or ointments are best.
(2)Wet dressings can help cool, protect and rehydrate skin.(3) a cold compress for the affected area and trying not to scratches.(4) avoiding things that can damage or dry out your skin, like soap or bubble bath
(5) making sure your baths and showers are not too hot.(6)rinsing off chlorine from swimming pools straight after swimming.(7) avoiding overheating,not wearing woolen fabrics directly on your skin.
Homeopathic management–
Atopic Dermatitis is effectively treated with natural Homeopathic medicines. The medicines help in decreasing the severity of disease,itching and frequency of relapses. And with the constitutional natural Homeopathic remedies selected on the basis of individual symptoms, there is a promise of eradicating the disease from its root. The medicine selection is based upon the totality of symptoms.The totality includes the sites and type of eruption, the worsening and relieving factors, time of itching, desires, and aversions regarding food, sensitivity to heat and cold, and peculiar mental symptoms if present in a high degree. Homeopathic remedies help in eradicating Dermatitis from the root by increasing the immunity of the patients to the optimal level so that there will not be any hypertensive flare-ups. The Homeopathic treatment for Atopic Dermatitis is not instant and does take time though, varying from months to a year depending upon the severity, duration of Dermatitis,the individual response to the remedy taken.
There are some homeopathic medicine which are prescribed for atopic dermatitis-
SULPHUR – This is the best homeopathic medicine for treating Atopic Dermatitis. Very effective results are obtained when sulphur is used to cure AD. It is mainly used when the skin gets excessively dry and develops scales,accompanied by itching.The itching reaches its peak during night and is followed by sensation of heat in the affected area.where sulfur is used, the skin looks dirty and unhealthy. The patient also has an increased craving for sweets and tends to avoid bathing.
MEZEREUM – This is a very useful medicine used for the treatment of dermatitis were weeping eruptions appear on the scalp.The medicine is also used to cure oozing eruptions,which occur on the scalp. This medicine is used when a thick scab is formed on the scalp which discharges thick pus.Ulcers and vesicles are likely to appear on the scalp.
PETROLEUM -It was given to a person with an irritable, quarrelsome disposition, easily offended at trifles, vexed at everything. Skin symptoms were worse in winter. Itching is worse at night, painful sensitivity of the whole body, slightest injury suppurates, rough, cracked, fissured, painful lesions especially on hands, fingertips and soles. Heat and burning of palms and soles with foul sweat.
GRAPHITES – Graphites another excellent remedy for atopic dermatitis that appears in folds of skin. The folds include elbows,bend, knee bend, area behind ear,groin and neck.There is either rawness with itching or there may be eruptions in folds with discharges.The peculiar character of discharge is glue –like sticky in nature.
NATRUM MURIATICUM -this is best for atopic dermatitis with eruptions along the hairline. The eruptions are dry with rawness of skin along the margin of scalp. Dry eruptions appear in bends of elbow and hollow of knee. There is crusting along the hairline. Aggravation from warmth and heat .Patients have a special craving for salt.
HEPAR-SULPH – Hepar sulph is another effective medicine for moist atopic dermatitis with itching in the folds of skin. After scratching, pimples on skin. Dermatitis is worse during cold , dry winds and better in warmth and damp rainy weather. It also has effective eruptions on the genitals and scrotum.
SEPIA OFFICINALIS – it is an effective remedy for atopic dermatitis in circular spots in isolated places. Sepia is effective for dry dermatitis in bends of joints of elbow and knees. There is violent itching on eruptions but not relief from scratching. The itching is worse from cold air exposure. The skin is dry and cracks in it. Sepia is also effective for women of menopausal age suffering from dermatitis.
