Atopic dermatitis
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| ICD-10 | L20. |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 691.8 |
| OMIM | 603165 |
| DiseasesDB | 4113 |
| eMedicine | emerg/130 derm/38 ped/2567 oph/479 |
| MeSH | D003876 |
Atopic dermatitis, sometimes called eczema, is a kind of dermatitis, an atopic skin disease. Atopic dermatitis afflicts humans, particularly young children; it is also a well-characterized disease in domestic dogs.
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[edit] Presentation
The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. The skin on the flexural surfaces of the joints (for example inner sides of elbows and knees) are most commonly affected regions in people. In dogs with atopic dermatitis, the skin of the face, front feet and the ears are most commonly affected.
Atopic dermatitis in people often occurs together with other atopic diseases like hay fever, asthma and conjunctivitis. It is a familial and chronic disease and its symptoms can increase or disappear over time. There is no cure for it, but its symptoms can be managed with various treatments. Dogs with atopic dermatitis seldom have respiratory disease, but may be afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease.
Originally controversial, the association of food allergy with atopic dermatitis has now been clearly demonstrated, especially in severe disease of infancy. The same is true of the disease in domestic dogs.
Atopic dermatitis in older children and adults is often confused with psoriasis.
[edit] Treatment
The disease severity can be reduced by minimizing drying of the skin and avoiding or minimizing contact with known allergens. The issue of allergies often complicates a case of atopic dermatitis.
Topical treatments focus on reducing the dryness of the skin. Moisturizers (Emollients) are available, some only by prescription.
Most soaps wash away the oils produced by the skin that normally serve to prevent drying. Using a soap substitute such as aqueous cream helps keep the skin moisturized.
If moisturizers on their own don't help, topical steroid ointments or creams may be used. These are safe provided they are prescribed by a doctor.
Although many people are intimidated by the term 'steroids,' their proper use can result in atopic dermatitis being brought under control.
Alternative medicines may (illegally) contain very strong steroids [1].
The immunosuppressant Tacrolimus can be used as a topical preparation in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis.
Many of the same types of treatment are used in domestic dogs with atopic dermatitis. In addition, domestic dogs may be successfully managed with allergen-specific immunotherapy; many are treated with low-dose cyclosporine lipid emulsion.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ramsay H M, Goddard W, Gill S, Moss C. Herbal creams used for atopic eczema in Birmingham, UK illegally contain potent corticosteroids. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2003; 88:1056-1057
[edit] External links
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