CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a type of inflammation of the skin (dermatitis). It results in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas, which often thicken over time. While the condition may occur at any age, it typically starts in childhood with changing severity over the years. In children under one year of age much of the body may be affected. As children get older, the back of the knees and front of the elbows are the most common areas affected. In adults the hands and feet are the most commonly affected areas. Scratching worsens symptoms and affected people have an increased risk of skin infections. Many people with atopic dermatitis develop hay fever or asthma.

The cause is unknown but believed to involve genetics, immune system dysfunction, environmental exposures, and difficulties with the permeability of the skin. If one identical twin is affected, there is an 85% chance the other also has the condition. Those who live in cities and dry climates are more commonly affected. Exposure to certain chemicals or frequent hand washing makes symptoms worse. While emotional stress may make the symptoms worse it is not a cause. The disorder is not contagious. The diagnosis is typically based on the signs and symptoms. Other diseases that must be excluded before making a diagnosis include contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

Treatment involves avoiding things that make the condition worse, daily bathing with application of a moisturising cream afterwards, applying steroid creams when flares occur, and medications to help with itchiness. Things that commonly make it worse include wool clothing, soaps, perfumes, chlorine, dust, and cigarette smoke. Phototherapy may be useful in some people. Steroid pills or creams based on calcineurin inhibitors may occasionally be used if other measures are not effective. Antibiotics (either by mouth or topically) may be needed if a bacterial infection develops. Dietary changes are only needed if food allergies are suspected.

Atopic dermatitis affects about 20% of people at some point in their lives. It is more common in younger children. Males and females are equally affected. Many people outgrow the condition. Atopic dermatitis is sometimes called eczema, a term that also refers to a larger group of skin conditions. Other names include "infantile eczema", "flexural eczema", "prurigo Besnier", "allergic eczema", and "neurodermatitis".

  • Transforming growth factor-beta in breast milk: a potential regulator of atopic disease at an early age.

    facebook Share on Facebook
    Abstract Title:

    Transforming growth factor-beta in breast milk: a potential regulator of atopic disease at an early age.

    Abstract Source:

    J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Dec;104(6):1251-7. PMID: 10589009

    Abstract Author(s):

    M Kalliomäki, A Ouwehand, H Arvilommi, P Kero, E Isolauri

    Article Affiliation:

    Departments of Paediatrics and Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, Finland.

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND:According to data from animal and in vitro studies, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has a crucial effect on 2 essential parts of the mucosal immune system: IgA production and oral tolerance induction.

    OBJECTIVE:We sought to ascertain whether TGF-beta in breast milk is associated with specific IgA production and atopic disease in human subjects.

    METHODS:Forty-seven infants with several atopic family members were followed during their first year of life. The concentrations of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 in maternal colostrum, mature milk, and the infants' sera were determined. The enzyme-linked immunospot assay was used to assess the infants' specific IgA production in response to beta-lactoglobulin, casein, gliadin, and ovalbumin.

    RESULTS:At 12 months, atopic dermatitis was confirmed in 29 of 47 infants; in 11, atopic disease had begun during exclusive breast-feeding (preweaning onset), whereas in 18 the disease manifested itself after weaning (postweaning onset). The concentrations of both TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 were higher in maternal colostrum, but not in mature milk and infants' serum, in infants with postweaning-onset atopic disease compared with those with preweaning-onset disease (P =.0008 and P =. 015, respectively). The concentration of TGF-beta2 was, and that of TGF-beta1 tended to be, higher in the colostrum of mothers whose infants had specific IgA-secreting cells at 3 months in response to at least one of the dietary antigens tested compared with those who did not have such cells (P =.048 and P =.076, respectively).

    CONCLUSION:TGF-beta in colostrum may prevent the development of atopic disease during exclusive breast-feeding and promote specific IgA production in human subjects.

    Article Published Date : Dec 01, 1999

  • Vegetarian diet ameliorates symptoms of atopic dermatitis through reduction of the number of peripheral eosinophils and of PGE2 synthesis by monocytes📎

    Abstract Title:

    Vegetarian diet ameliorates symptoms of atopic dermatitis through reduction of the number of peripheral eosinophils and of PGE2 synthesis by monocytes.

    Abstract Source:

    J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2001 Nov;20(6):353-61. PMID: 11840688

    Abstract Author(s):

    T Tanaka, K Kouda, M Kotani, A Takeuchi, T Tabei, Y Masamoto, H Nakamura, M Takigawa, M Suemura, H Takeuchi, M Kouda

    Abstract:

    Many patients with atopic dermatitis are dissatisfied with conventional treatments based on topical steroids and have experienced some traditional remedies and alternative therapies. However, most of such therapies have not been evaluated scientifically and clinically by specialists. This study was designed to assess whether a certain vegetarian diet might be effective for atopic dermatitis and if so, to identify the mechanisms of this remedy through analyses of immunological parameters. An open-trial study was carried out in twenty patients with atopic dermatitis. An improvement of dermatitis was evaluated by SCORAD index and serological and immunological parameters were monitored. After a two-month treatment, the severity of dermatitis was strikingly inhibited, as assessed by SCORAD index and serological parameters including LDH5 activity and a number of peripheral eosinophils. A sharp reduction in eosinophils and neutrophils was observed prior to improvement in the skin inflammation. In addition, PGE2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was reduced by this treatment. In contrast, serum IgE levels did not change during the same period. Although this study is an open-trial one, it suggests that this treatment may be useful for the treatment of adult patients with severe atopic dermatitis.

    Article Published Date : Nov 01, 2001

  • Viewing humorous film improves nighttime wakening in children with atopic dermatitis. 📎

    facebook Share on Facebook
    Abstract Title:

    Viewing humorous film improves nighttime wakening in children with atopic dermatitis.

    Abstract Source:

    Indian Pediatr. 2007 Apr;44(4):281-5. PMID: 17468523

    Abstract Author(s):

    Hajime Kimata

    Abstract:

    INTRODUCTION: Patients with atopic dermatitis suffered from night-time wakening, but the exact mechanism of it was not known. Ghrelin was involved in growth hormone secretion, regulation of appetite, anxiety,night-time wakening and stress. METHODS: Thus salivary ghreli levels during the night were measured in 40 healthy children or 40 patients with atopic dermatitis with night-time wakening. Salivary ghrelin levels at 02:00 h were markedly elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis compared to those in healthy children. RESULTS: Neither viewing control non-humorous film nor viewing humorous film had any effect on healthy children. In contrast, viewing humorous film improved night-time wakening and reduced elevation of salivary ghrelin levels in patients with atopic dermatitis, while viewing control film failed to do so. CONCLUSION: Viewing humorous film may be useful in the treatment of night-time wakening in patients with atopic dermatitis.

    Article Published Date : Apr 01, 2007