There are many types of skin, as well as diseases that may change its condition. Furthermore, the condition of the skin is not always constant and constant and throughout our lives we may go through different stages that affect our dermis, either due to internal factors or external agents.
One of the most common problems in dermatology is skin or atopic dermatitis. If you suffer from it, the following will be of interest to you. Likewise, if you think your skin is affected in any way, it is recommended to visit a dermatologist who will evaluate the condition and find a precise diagnosis.
What is skin or atopic dermatitis and why does it happen?
To understand more about this disease we must first know what it is. According to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, atopic dermatitis is the “most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in childhood, and also it is present in adolescents and adults”.
It is therefore a chronic disorder that causes the skin to be dry due to various external and internal factors and, as a result, it is more prone to irritation.
What is the cause of skin atopy?
Atopic dermatitis is a complex skin disorder involving genetic susceptibility, dysfunction of the immune and epidermal barrier and environmental factors. When the skin barrier is altered, antigens may enter and lead to an inflammatory immune response.
Therefore, the main factor that causes skin atopy is genetic predisposition due to family background. This cause may also be altered by other internal and external factors.
One of the main external factors that may affect the symptomatology of atopic dermatitis is the climate. With the onset of winter, low temperatures increase skin irritability. Accordingly, in winter, it is very important to keep skin care constant. Heat also has a negative effect, as it causes increased sweating, changes in pH, which may favour the change in the bacterial flora of the skin, causing irritation and itching.
Eczema outbreaks of the skin
According to the Dermatology Service of the Hospital del Mar, eczemas are groups of cutaneous changes in which there is inflammation of the skin. It is characterised by a combination of redness, raised injuries and sometimes the appearance of vesicles of flakes.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, according to data from Medicine and Health Products Science Foundation. In this regard, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology emphasises that up to one quarter of patients who suffer from atopic dermatitis during childhood will develop eczema on their hands, which will occur in different degrees during their adult life.
How do you know if a skin is atopic?
Firstly, any unusual signs that may appear on our skin require a visit to the dermatologist. This specialist will analyse your skin type, whether there is any skin affectation, and will provide you with a number of possible solutions.
It is therefore very important to be aware of changes in the dermis or any other appearance, as well as taking care of it with products that are suitable to the skin type.
Although, as we have already mentioned, the professional who should evaluate the condition of your skin is the dermatologist, there are several indications and symptoms that can give you a first warning if you have an atopic skin.
Characteristics of atopic dermatitis
The main symptoms of atopic skin are inflammation, redness, itching, vulnerability and sensitivity of the skin. This happens when the skin has a lack of water and/or oil, which causes the skin to be drier than usual and prone to irritation.
Atopic skin care routine
As we have already seen, we know that one of the main symptoms is itching and irritation, so we must be careful with rubbing and scratching as these areas of skin are very vulnerable and sensitive.
Step 1. Skin assessment and cleansing
An assessment by your dermatologist is essential to know the condition of your skin and what products to use for daily skin care. The first step is always to keep the skin clean and hydrated daily to avoid flare-ups and inflammation. Products based on natural ingredients such as oils with skin barrier repairing properties are one of the recommended options.
Step 2. Soothe the itching and irritation of atopic skins.
Once the skin is clean you can apply cosmetic products with natural ingredients that will help to soothe the itching sensation and irritation, and whose use is helpful in the treatment of atopic skin.
Step 3. Moisturising for very dry body areas
Make body hydration an essential step in your daily skin care routine, using nourishing products that are ideal for daily use.
- Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología. Guía para pacientes con dermatitis atópica.
- Fundación de Ciencias del Medicamento y Productos Sanitarios. Dermatitis atópica: del diagnóstico a la definición de una ruta asistencial. febrero de 2019.
- Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital del Mar. Eccema.
- MSD manual
