What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) causes chronic skin irritation. This disease is often genetic (runs in families). It is linked with allergies, such as hay fever. Patches of skin become dry, red, itchy, and scaly. Symptoms may get worse. Or, they may improve on their own. Often, atopic dermatitis goes away by itself. But you can help control its symptoms. Start by seeking medical treatment and avoiding anything that causes flare-ups. Image Infants’ symptoms tend to affect the cheeks and mouth area.
Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease caused by common allergens such as pollens, molds and dust mites. It causes itching and can be so severe that the dog’s scratching can lead to complications such as skin lesions, hair loss, and secondary infections. Atopic dermatitis usually occurs seasonally at first, but eventually can become a year-round problem. The disease is chronic and lasts a lifetime. It’s almost impossible to completely avoid allergens, so most atopic dogs need long-term treatment.
Atopic dermatitis is a very common, often chronic (long-lasting) skin disease that affects a large percentage of the world’s population. It is also called eczema, dermatitis, or atopy. Most commonly, it may be thought of as a type of skin allergy or sensitivity. The atopic dermatitis triad includes asthma, allergies (hay fever), and eczema. There is a known hereditary component of the disease, and it is seen more in some families. The hallmarks of the disease include skin rashes and itching. The word “dermatitis” means inflammation of the skin. “Atopic” refers to diseases that are hereditary, tend to run in families, and often occur together. In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling. Dry skin is a very common complaint and an underlying cause of some of the typical rash symptoms. Although atopic dermatitis can occur in any age, most often it affects infants and young children. In some instan
Atopic dermatitis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin problem. It causes dry skin, intense itching, and then a red, raised rash. In severe cases, the rash forms clear, fluid-filled blisters. It cannot be spread from person to person. Atopic dermatitis is most common in babies and children. Some children with atopic dermatitis outgrow it or have milder cases as they get older.1 Also, a person may get atopic dermatitis as an adult. Atopic dermatitis is sometimes called eczema or atopic eczema. But atopic dermatitis is only one of many types of eczema. See a picture of atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, itchy skin condition that is very common in children but may occur at any age. It is also known as eczema and atopic eczema. It is the most common form of dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis usually occurs in people who have an ‘atopic tendency’. This means they may develop any or all of three closely linked conditions; atopic dermatitis, asthma and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Often these conditions run within families with a parent, child or sibling also affected. A family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever is particularly useful in diagnosing atopic dermatitis in infants. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious! It arises because of a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. These include skin irritants, the weather, temperature and non-specific triggers: see Causes of atopic dermatitis.
