Introduction

Atopic dermatitis also called eczema is a skin disease, affecting especially the children.

Risk factors

It is mostly genetically based and which leads to allergic and other manifestations. In most cases the parents are atopic. The Dryness of the skin is an important factor. It also depends on the climate whether cold and dry.

Clinical features

The lesions are present on the cheeks, the legs and the scalp. Other clinical features are dryness, erythematous bumpy lesions, vesicles or blisters and a lot of itching, particularly when sweating or coming in contact with woollen clothing. Due to lot of scratching there may be a bacterial infection like folliculitis, or furuncle or abscess or localized collection of infection. There can be secondary viral infections which can be serious. Example herpes. There may be allergic contact dermatitis due to the local medications used on skin to treat atopic dermatitis.

Treatment

It is mostly treatment of the symptoms or to prevent flares.
Use lukewarm water, with gels and avoid soaps. Avoid frequent washing of hands with soap.
Use moisturizer for dryness.
Avoid woollen clothes and clothes made up of synthetic materials.. Favour loose cotton clothing which are comfortable and don’t cause excessive sweating.
Steroid ointment can be used under strict medical supervision.In case of severe itching, antihistamines like cetirizine and levocetirizine are given.
Antibiotics are used in secondary bacterial infections and antiviral drugs like acyclovir in secondary viral infections.