Introduction
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common type of eczema in the United States, affecting over 16.5 million adults. It is a chronic condition that can last for years and can overlap with other types of eczema. There are treatment options available to assist in managing the symptoms. Many paid atopic dermatitis eczema Clinical Trials can help us in learning more about this condition.
Atopic dermatitis is a common skin condition that usually starts in childhood, but anyone can get it. Because atopic dermatitis is not contagious, it cannot be transmitted from person to person. There are no known causes of atopic dermatitis, but genes, the immune system, and the environment can play a role. Living with atopic dermatitis can be difficult depending on the severity and location of the symptoms. Symptoms can be controlled with treatment.
Continue reading to learn more about atopic dermatitis, including its symptoms, causes, types, and treatments.
What is Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease that causes inflammation, redness, and irritation that leads to severe itching of the skin. Scratching from the itching causes swelling, redness, cracking, “weeping” clear fluid, crusting, and scaling. In most cases, there are flares when the disease is at its worst, followed by remissions when the skin improves or clears up completely.
Other Types of Eczema:
The term “eczema” refers to a group of skin conditions that result in dry, inflamed skin. Additional eczema types include:
⦁ Discoid eczema:
It is a form of eczema that manifests as oval or circular patches on the skin.
⦁ Contact dermatitis:
It is a form of eczema that develops when the body is exposed to a specific substance.
⦁ Varicose eczema:
A form of eczema brought on by issues with blood flow through the leg veins, most frequently impacting the lower legs.
⦁ Seborrhoeic eczema:
It is a form of eczema in which red, scaly patches appear on the scalp, brows, ears, and sides of the nose.
⦁ Dyshidrotic eczema:
It is a form of eczema known as pompholyx that causes tiny blisters to appear on the hands’ palms.
What Causes Atopic Dermatitis?
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is caused by several factors such as immune system activation, genetics, environmental triggers, and stress.
Family history:
You are more likely to develop eczema if your family has a history of dermatitis. If you have a history of asthma, hay fever, or allergies, you are also more likely to develop this condition. Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction, such as pollen, pet hair, or certain foods. A change in your genes that control a protein that helps your body maintain healthy skin may also occur. Your skin will not be completely healthy unless that protein is present at normal levels.
Environmental triggers:
Your surroundings can irritate your skin in a variety of ways. Some examples include tobacco smoke, air pollutants, harsh soaps, wool fabrics, and some skin care products. Low humidity can also cause dry and itchy skin (dry air). Sweating is caused by heat and humidity, which can aggravate itching.
Stress:
Like many other skin conditions, can trigger eczema. During times of stress, the body produces a large amount of cortisol hormone, which has a negative impact on the skin and eventually causes eczema. It not only causes eczema but also prolongs outbreaks. This appears to be an endless cycle.
What Triggers an Atopic Dermatitis Flareup?
A flare-up occurs when one or more eczema symptoms appear on the skin. Common triggers include:
1. Cleansers and detergents, as well as scented products, contain chemicals or preservatives.
2. Cigarette smoke emits allergens such as pollens, mold, dust, and dust mites.
3. Material that is rough and scratchy, such as wool or synthetic fabrics.
4. Temperature variations.
5. Allergens in food.
6. Animal dander causes upper respiratory infections.
What are the Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis?
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is frequently characterized by itchy, dry, rough, flaky, inflamed, and irritated skin. It can flare up, then subside, only to reoccur. Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, but it is most commonly found on the arms, inner elbows, backs of the knees, cheeks, and scalp. It is not contagious and can become milder with age.
Other signs and symptoms are as follows:
1. Severe scratching.
2. Red or brownish-gray skin patches.
3. Small, raised bumps ooze fluid crusty patches of dried yellowish ooze when scratched, which can indicate infection.
4. Thickened, scaly, sore, or raw-feeling skin.
Many people report that their symptoms worsen at night, making it difficult to sleep. Scratching eczema worsens and inflames the condition. But once you’ve established what causes your eczema flareup, consulting with your doctor about how to manage your symptoms and avoid flare-ups becomes easier.
How can we Treat Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis can be chronic. You might need to try several treatments over months or years to control it. Even with successful treatment, signs and symptoms might come back as flare-ups.
Early diagnosis of the condition is essential so that the treatment regimen can start. Your doctor might suggest one or more of the following treatments if routine moisturizing and other self-care practices are ineffective:
Creams for Skin Repair and Itching Relief:
Your doctor might advise using a cream or ointment containing corticosteroids. Apply it as instructed after moisturizing. Skin thinning is one of the side effects of overusing this medication.
Your immune system is impacted by other creams that contain calcineurin inhibitors, like tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). These creams are used to help control skin reactions. Apply it as instructed after moisturizing. Avoid direct sunlight when using these products.
Anti-infective Medications:
Antibiotic creams may be recommended by your doctor if you have a bacterial infection, an open sore, or cracks in your skin. He or she might suggest using oral antibiotics for a short time to treat an infection.
Oral Anti-inflammatory Drugs:
In more severe cases, your doctor might advise oral corticosteroids like prednisone. Although these medications are efficient, the possibility of severe side effects prevents their long-term use.
A New Option to Treat Severe Eczema:
Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an injectable biologic (monoclonal antibody) dupilumab (Dupixent). Patients with severe diseases who have not responded well to other treatments are treated with it. The effectiveness of this medication hasn’t been studied extensively because it’s a more recent invention. When used as instructed, it has been demonstrated in studies to be safe. Many Clinical Research Organizations are conducting Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Trials in Michigan to observe the safety and efficacy of these novel drugs including duplimab and various other drugs.
Summary
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) has no cure, but the right treatments can effectively manage symptoms. Treatment may include a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.
Eczema can, in some cases, lead to other health issues such as infections, asthma, or worsening skin. On the other hand, finding the right treatments can help prevent complications.
If you’re having trouble managing your eczema or if your symptoms are worsening, see a doctor. They can help you figure out a treatment plan that works for you and reduces flare-ups. Keep track of your symptoms and see your doctor regularly.
Multiple Clinical Research Organizations in your area are conducting Clinical Trials in Eczema and other dermatologic conditions to aid in our understanding of these complex conditions and the development of potential treatment options.
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