I have atopic dermatitis, does this disease have a cure?

Expert answer:

Atopic dermatitis There is no cure., but with proper treatment and taking some care to prevent seizures, it is possible to keep the dermatitis under control.

In the case of atopic dermatitis in babies, the disease usually improves gradually as the child grows. By 5 years of age, atopic dermatitis can already show a considerable improvement, with the majority of children no longer experiencing seizures during adolescence.

However, there are cases where atopic dermatitis remains until adulthood, although they are uncommon.

What is the treatment for atopic dermatitis?

The treatment of atopic dermatitis is done with ointments, creams and oral medications which relieve the itching, reduce dryness of the skin and fight inflammation. In addition, it is essential to control the factors that trigger seizures to prevent relapses.

Among the remedies used to treat atopic dermatitis are ointments with corticoids (control inflammation) and antihistamines (less itching).

In severe cases, it may be necessary to use oral or intravenous corticosteroids. If the skin is infected, they are also indicated antibiotics in ointments or by mouth.

Is there any natural or home treatment for atopic dermatitis?

There is no natural treatment or with homemade products for atopic dermatitis. Incidentally, applying any product, prescription or home remedy without an appointment by the dermatologist may skin infections and make the picture worse.

The only "natural treatment" indicated for atopic dermatitis consists of care and measures to avoid new crises or reduce their duration, such as:

  • Avoid contact of the skin with detergents, colored and perfumed cosmetics, cleaning products, jewelry and any other irritating agent;
  • Use soap suitable for infants and children or that is suitable for sensitive and allergy-prone skin;
  • Use little soap in the bath to avoid drying the skin;
  • Avoid long baths with hot water; give preference to short baths (5 minutes), with warm or cold water;
  • Wash the body with your hands, without using a sponge or a sponge;
  • Apply moisturizer to the body after bathing daily; in areas where the skin remains dry, the moisturizer should be applied more than once a day;
  • If the moisturizer causes burning because of the greater sensitivity of the skin, you can use semi-solid or liquid Vaseline in place of the cream;
  • Wear cotton clothing, avoiding synthetic fabrics;
  • Avoid getting too warm or wearing too much clothing;
  • Apply sunscreen whenever you go to the pool, and when it comes out of the water, dry the skin with the towel and apply the moisturizer immediately;
  • Avoid using fabric softeners;
  • Applying cold compresses can help relieve itching.

The dermatologist is responsible for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Learn more at: What is atopic dermatitis?