How to recognize atopic eczema
Atopic eczema manifests itself differently in adults and children. They have a common basis mainly in genetic predisposition. If one of the parents had atopic eczema, asthma or allergies to food, pollen, etc., the probability of atopic eczema in the offspring is around 30%. If both parents suffered from some form of allergy, the probability of atopic eczema rises to 75%.
This does not necessarily mean that the disease has to manifest itself in infancy, although the infant form is the most common.
How to recognise atopic eczema in a child?
Eczema can appear in infancy, toddlerhood and later in life. It is most common by the age of 5.
In infancy, the child's skin is very dry and scaly. Dandruff usually appears on the head first. Dry reddened maps form on the cheeks and forehead, the baby tends to be restless because the places itch.
In toddlerhood, eczema is likely to be in the kneecaps, wrists, elbow sockets, neck. Dry deposits are formed, which itch strongly, are reddened, blisters or crusts are formed, the skin cracks.
By the time the child starts playing on the sand, exploring the surroundings and nature, eczema often appears on the arms, palms, interdigital area. The skin is severely dry and red, the hands look like wrinkled. The child scratches himself until he bleeds, the rash is wet.
When does atopic eczema disappear?
Some people develop atopic eczema throughout their lives, but it more often disappears between the ages of 6 and 12.
How to recognize atopic eczema in an adult?
Again, genetic predisposition. In addition, 95% of adult patients develop eczema at least briefly in childhood.
In adults, eczema is mainly manifested on the face and neck, in the area of large joints such as shoulders, hips, knees, elbows and on the palms of the hands. Usually, a single lesion forms repeatedly in the same place. The skin there is extremely dry, itchy, cracked, itchy and cracked, and sometimes wet.
How to prevent atopic manifestation?
Atopic eczema is a congenital disease. Behind the manifestations of eczema is a violated function of the skin barrier. The skin reacts with itching and inflammation to common stimuli. The prevention of skin irritation is the daily use of a barrier cream. The cream creates a barrier between the skin and the irritant for up to 6 hours and thus prevents irritation, itching and inflammation.
