What kind of disease is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterized by itchy eczema that gets better and worse repeatedly.
Atopic dermatitis is thought to develop when an external stimulus or allergic reaction is added to an abnormal skin barrier function or dry skin.
People who develop atopic dermatitis often have an allergy-prone constitution, which is called "atopic predisposition.
Atopic predisposition is defined as a condition in which the patient or a family member has had bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, etc., or is prone to producing IgE antibodies, which are antibodies related to allergies.
These constitutional factors, combined with environmental factors, can exacerbate symptoms.
One environmental factor is allergenic substances, which can be affected by a variety of things, including food, dust mites, dust, pollen, and animal hair.
Irritants other than allergies, such as sweat, saliva, clothing friction, and sunburn can also aggravate the condition. Other factors such as lack of sleep and stress can also have an effect.
It is well known that atopic dermatitis impairs the barrier function of the skin, making it susceptible to skin infections such as herpes, molluscum contagiosum (molluscum contagiosum), and impetigo (impetigo contagiosa).
In addition, complications other than skin can cause eye diseases such as cataracts and retinal detachment.
What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis are characterized by itching, a characteristic skin appearance, and recurring symptoms over time.
The skin is covered with eczema, which may be red and pudgy and raised, or it may be lumpy, lumpy and scabby.
Symptoms are often symmetrical and occur on the forehead, around the eyes, mouth, ears, neck, and soft joints of the arms and legs.
What tests are performed when atopic dermatitis is suspected?
The main test performed for atopic dermatitis is a blood test.
Since the amount of IgE antibodies in the blood is often increased in patients with a predisposition to atopy, the overall amount of IgE antibodies in the blood is measured.
Another test for allergic substances is the specific IgE antibody test, which tests for the presence of IgE antibodies to various substances that may cause allergies.
Results are rated on a 7-point scale, with 2 or higher being considered positive.
In addition, there is a numerical value called TARC that reflects the degree of inflammation in atopic dermatitis and is useful in determining the state of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
What is the treatment for atopic dermatitis?
The goal of treatment for atopic dermatitis is to maintain a state of "no symptoms or mild symptoms that do not interfere with daily life and do not require much drug therapy" or "mild symptoms and no sudden deterioration that interferes with daily life.
Atopic dermatitis is a disease that involves a variety of factors, and at present there is no treatment that completely cures the disease, but rather suppresses the symptoms.
There are three main pillars of treatment: medication, skin care, and elimination of aggravating factors.
The mainstay of drug treatment is topical application of drugs such as steroids, tacrolimus, and JAK inhibitors, depending on the severity of symptoms and the site of the disease.
First, these drugs are used to reduce skin inflammation.
In cases of repeated recurrence, proactive therapy may be used, in which drugs are applied twice a week even after the inflammation has improved.
If these treatments do not adequately control the symptoms, oral or injectable medications that more potently reduce inflammation and allergic reactions may be necessary.
The key components of skin care are skin cleansing and moisturizing.
Atopic dermatitis causes the skin barrier function to deteriorate, so neglecting skin care can worsen the condition.
It is important to shower or bathe daily, wash lightly with non-irritating detergent, and apply moisturizer immediately after bathing.
If symptoms do not get better, certain aggravating factors may have an effect.
It is also important to examine for aggravating factors in one's daily life and examinations, and try to eliminate them.
The following tests and treatments for atopic dermatitis are available at Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic.
The clinic specializes in orthopedics, internal medicine, and sports medicine and can provide a variety of tests and treatments.
The following tests and treatments for atopic dermatitis can be performed at our clinic.
Examination: Blood test
Treatment: Prescription of medications to control symptoms
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