The problem of one of the most common skin diseases, atopic dermatitis or neurodermatitis, is becoming more urgent. This is an inflammatory skin lesion of an allergic nature, which can be caused by many different factors — allergens entering the body with food, by contact (in contact with the skin) or respiratory tract (by inhaling pollen, dust). The main manifestations are: skin rashes, most often in places of large folds, face, neck and, most importantly, itching. Starting, as a rule, in childhood, the disease becomes chronic and proceeds with periods of exacerbations.
One of the main symptoms of atopic dermatitis is itchy skin. Its intensity varies from mild, short-lived to excruciating, persistent itching that causes a person to scratch their skin. Itching that lasts for a long time causes severe suffering, causes insomnia and psychoemotional discomfort.
With atopic dermatitis, itching can be caused even by seemingly harmless factors such as clothing and moisture. That is why patients are advised to wear natural light fabrics and avoid intense physical activity. Washing powders, even in small quantities remaining on freshly laundered linen and clothes, can have an irritating effect on the skin, therefore it is recommended to use hypoallergenic soap–based washing powders with repeated rinsing cycles. You should also exclude external products containing perfumes and preservatives, and try new cosmetic products first on a small area of the skin.
Special attention should be paid to cleansing and moisturizing the skin, as atopic dermatitis is characterized by increased dryness, which is caused by disturbances in the lipid metabolism of the skin. Violation of the barrier function can cause the development of secondary bacterial, viral and fungal infections. That is why the skin with atopic dermatitis requires special care: shower cleansers ("soap without soap"), as well as bath oils; after washing, apply a moisturizer without rubbing the skin. If necessary, moisturizers and balms are applied several times a day.
Dieting is of great importance in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This is especially true for children, since it is at an early age that food allergies are the main cause of exacerbations. The most common products that cause allergic reactions include milk, eggs, chicken meat, nuts, wheat, fish and seafood, brightly colored vegetables and fruits (especially citrus fruits), etc. However, almost any product can cause an allergic reaction, so the selection of a diet is carried out strictly individually based on the examination. Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis begins with a mandatory visit to a dermatologist-allergist. The extended allergodiagnostics includes laboratory blood tests for allergens, diagnosis of food intolerance, molecular diagnostics, and prick tests.
The prognosis of atopic dermatitis largely depends on the reliability of knowledge about the individual causes of skin rashes and itching, on careful implementation of all doctor's recommendations and timely prevention. The main directions of prevention are compliance with the diet and proper skin care. The diagnosis of food allergies is of the greatest importance, as it allows you to identify and objectively assess the degree of a patient's allergic reaction to various foods. Strict adherence to a diet facilitates the course of the disease and eventually gives the desired result.
The European Medical Center (Moscow) conducts the most modern methods of laboratory allergodiagnostics, and the doctors of the Clinic of Dermatovenerology and Allergology-Immunology are ready to offer the knowledge and experience gained during long-term internships abroad to achieve the best result in treatment.
Patient's history: Exacerbation of severe atopic dermatitis
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