Atopic dermatitis treatment

Atopic dermatitis (or atopic eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that most often has a relapsing course and can significantly affect quality of life. The condition manifests as dry skin, rashes, itching, and a tendency to flare under the influence of various external and internal factors. In adults, atopic dermatitis often has a prolonged course and requires a systematic approach to treatment.

At the Oxford Medical Center, dermatologists help not only reduce the manifestations of the disease, but also identify factors that trigger flare-ups and select an individualized treatment strategy.

If symptoms of atopic dermatitis persist for a long time or regularly return, it is worth scheduling a consultation to establish the diagnosis in a timely manner and begin effective treatment.

Atopic dermatitis has a multifactorial nature and develops as a result of a combination of genetic predisposition, immune response characteristics, and impairment of the skin’s protective function. That is why the disease often has a chronic course and tends to recur.

One of the key mechanisms in the development of the disease is disruption of the skin barrier. The skin loses its ability to retain moisture and to effectively protect itself from external irritants, which leads to dryness, increased sensitivity, and inflammation. Against this background, even common environmental factors can trigger flare-ups.

Heredity also plays an important role. If there are cases of allergic diseases in the family, the risk of developing atopic dermatitis increases. In such cases, the immune system reacts excessively, maintaining chronic skin inflammation.

In medical literature, atopic dermatitis is also described as atopic eczema, emphasizing the immune-inflammatory nature of the process and its association with an allergic predisposition.

Factors that may trigger or worsen the condition include:

• stress and psycho-emotional strain
• seasonal climate changes, dry or cold air
• contact with irritants
• infectious factors
• disruption of the skin-care routine

Some patients have seasonal atopic dermatitis, when symptom flare-ups occur during certain times of the year. Most often, worsening is observed in the autumn-winter period, which is associated with lower air humidity and cold temperatures.

In some cases, atopic dermatitis without itching is possible, when the main signs remain dryness and rashes.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a relapsing nature. It is classified by phases of development and by the extent of the pathological process. This approach makes it possible to more accurately assess and predict disease dynamics and choose the optimal treatment strategy.

By phases of the course, the following are distinguished:

• flare-up phase — a period of active inflammation accompanied by the appearance or intensification of rashes, skin redness, pronounced itching, and discomfort
• remission phase — a state of relative stabilization in which acute manifestations decrease or disappear; at the same time, the skin may remain dry and sensitive, and the tendency to recurrent flare-ups persists

By extent of involvement:

• localized form — lesions are confined to specific areas of the skin
• widespread form — inflammatory changes involve large areas of the body

The nature of the course of atopic dermatitis affects the choice of therapeutic approach and the duration of treatment.

Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based primarily on a clinical examination and a detailed medical history. The doctor assesses the nature of skin changes, their localization, the presence of dryness, rashes, and itching, and уточняет the duration of symptoms and the frequency of flare-ups.

An important step is identifying hereditary predisposition and factors that may provoke worsening of the skin condition. Based on the combination of these data, a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is established and further management tactics are determined.

If necessary, differential diagnosis is performed with other dermatological conditions that have similar manifestations. Additional tests are prescribed on an individual basis.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults should be comprehensive. A dermatologist selects the therapy regimen individually, taking into account the affected area and the severity of symptoms.

The patient may be advised:

• proper skin care — regular moisturization is an essential part of therapy because dry skin is a key factor in maintaining inflammation
• topical anti-inflammatory therapy — external agents are used to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching and to help restore the skin barrier
• systemic treatment (as indicated) — in cases of widespread lesions or frequent flare-ups, the doctor may prescribe systemic medications under medical supervision
• control of triggering factors — lifestyle adjustments, proper skin care, and elimination of triggers that cause flare-ups play an important role

If the patient has chronic atopic dermatitis, treatment requires regular follow-up with a dermatologist and therapy adjustment depending on the skin condition and the course of the disease.

Without proper control and regular treatment, atopic dermatitis can lead to complications. They most often occur with a prolonged course of the disease, frequent flare-ups, or constant scratching of affected areas.

The most common complications include:

• secondary infection — damage to the skin barrier promotes bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
• lichenification of the skin — chronic inflammation and constant scratching lead to thickening, roughening, and changes in the skin’s texture
• progression to a chronic form — frequent flare-ups without appropriate treatment contribute to a persistent inflammatory process
• psycho-emotional disturbances — prolonged itching and visible skin changes can cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion

Timely consultation with a dermatologist and adherence to the recommended therapy are important not only for reducing symptoms, but also for preventing complications of atopic dermatitis.

The cost of treatment is determined individually and depends on the course of the disease, the severity of symptoms, the area of skin involvement, and the chosen treatment strategy. The final treatment program is determined by the doctor during the consultation after an examination and assessment of the clinical picture.

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Book an appointment at a time convenient for you to start effective treatment as soon as possible.