Six Tips for Treating Atopic Dermatitis

Six Tips for Treating Atopic Dermatitis

Last update: 14 December, 2018

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Despite its small thickness (from 0.5 to 4 mm), it protects our muscles and our organs from the outside. Additionally, it provides stability and helps keep our internal organs where they belong. Although it constantly regenerates, it accompanies us throughout our lives. Therefore, we must take care of it, especially if we suffer from a condition that affects it. This is the case of atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema, which affects 10% of the world’s population.

Its development doesn’t depend on age, ethnicity, or gender and it has a similar appearance in all cases. Consequently, there’s no specific diagnostic test for it. All the specialist has to do to determine if we need medication or other types of treatment is to examine the affected area.

What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?

The word dermatitis comes from the Greek words δέρμα (derma, skin) and -ίτις (itis, inflammation). Therefore, it refers to the inflammation of the skin which is often accompanied by redness or even itching. It’s normal for it to manifest in areas like the inner or outer parts of the elbow. Dryness, roughness, or suppurating blisters can also manifest in very extreme cases.

Since its manifestation is somewhat varied, you should immediately see a doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from it. In most cases, atopic dermatitis appears in short episodes from time to time. If that’s the case, it means it’s not chronic and is caused by things we have no control over.

Atopic dermatitis often manifests itself on joints.

What causes atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema?

There are various causes of atopic dermatitis. Although some of them are minor, they are also more easily avoidable:

  • Lack of vitamins or minerals.
  • Lack of hydration.
  • Colds.
  • Allergies (food or respiratory, for example).
  • Changes in temperature.
  • Contact with perfumed materials or substances.
  • Contact with rough materials.

Tips for treating atopic dermatitis

What can we do to treat atopic dermatitis or prevent the problem completely? These are some of the most useful and easy tips:

Follow a healthy diet

We eat foods to keep our cells, including our skin cells, healthy. Therefore, it’s essential to have a healthy diet to feed each and every single one of them correctly.

Vitamin E is an important vitamin for our skin. We can find it in many oils and nuts. Additionally, a healthy diet with foods rich in collagen can also benefit us.

Hydration

Hydrating your skin is necessary since 71% of the skin is water. Water contributes to its elasticity and shine. Therefore, it’s important to hydrate your skin adequately. The best way to do this is by drinking enough water. The amount of water you need could vary depending on your weight, age, or gender.

External hydration is also very important, especially if you live in a dry climate or in a place that experiences sudden temperature changes. In fact, people with atopic dermatitis see an improvement when they’re in humid climates.

Hydration is vital to fight atopic dermatitis.

Wear clothes made out of natural fibers

Contact with synthetic or very rough fibers (such as wool) can make atopic dermatitis worse. Cotton or linen are highly recommended materials for the skin, especially in the form of comfortable and loose clothing.

Control your exposure to heat and cold

As we’ve discussed, temperature changes make the skin suffer. Additionally, excessive exposure to the sun can irritate the skin as well. We must pay attention to these factors if we suffer from atopic dermatitis.

Since these factors can aggravate our skin, some simple tips would be to wear garments that insulate you from the cold, avoid too much exposure to air conditioners, or limit your hours of sun exposure. Likewise, it’s also convenient to properly regulate the water temperature when you take a shower.

Beware of perfumes

Synthetic perfumes, air fresheners, and other cosmetic products contain ingredients that can damage your skin. If your skin is also sensitive, it will irritate easily. Buy natural products whenever possible. However, you should avoid their use if you still don’t see any improvements.

Avoid stress

This is one of the most important factors that influence our skin’s appearance. We tend to somatize stress in our skin in the form of irritations, cold sores, or generalized itching. Thus, we must take the causes of stress very seriously. We should avoid confrontations, stop drinking caffeine, and rest properly.

Stress is a major cause of atopic dermatitis.

Remember that atopic dermatitis is a common problem with many different remedies. To treat it, your specialist will probably recommend a cream that may help relieve your symptoms. However, there is no cure for this condition.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.