What is living with atopic dermatitis, an itchy, painful disease that is difficult to treat – 11/26/2018

Atopic dermatitis can have a significant impact on the lives of patients and, with different levels of severity, is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases. It generates debilitating symptoms like dry skin, intense and persistent itching, redness, crusts and secretions. On the occasion of the World Day of Illness celebrated today, the Argentine Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAeIC) and the Argentine Society of Dermatology (DAS) have come together to raise awareness.

"Atopic dermatitis has multiple faces depending on the age of the patient, but its main symptom is pruritus with extremely dry and reactive skin," says SAD President Cristina Pascutto.

For many, itching is serious or intolerable. He hatches day and night, so 8 out of 10 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis suffer from sleep disorders; and more than half of the itchings interrupt their sleep five to seven nights a week.

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"Some people scratch themselves asleep or try to sleep. scratching just to be heard from the next room. It is difficult for parents who see their child to suffer or for a husband to see their partner in this situation. In any case, the one who suffers is the one who suffers all his life from itching, rashes, redness and pain, "said Gabriel Gattolin, president of AAAeIC.

It also gives what's called a cycle between itching and the act of scraping, which generates even more itching.

Half of the patients with the moderate to severe variant also experience pain. Injuries can cover more than half of the body and they manifest in sensitive areas such as eyelids, neck, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. By scraping, patients can be even more injured and increase the risk of infections.

The impact on the quality of life is high, in addition to many patients often make a pilgrimage by several doctors up to the diagnosis. Atopic dermatitis can cause a loss of self esteem, the fear of being seen, being bullied and promoting the development of depression. Four in 10 people who suffer suffer from embarrbadment Because of his condition and half of the patients, he feels frequently or always frustrated with his illness.

Other figures provided by scientific societies measure the level of impact: people with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis miss three times more work than other people. On average, adolescents lose 26 days of clbades per year for this disease (about 3.5 days per episode).

"This affects aspects of everyday life such as choosing clothes, performing a physical activity, going out with friends, taking a walk, or more important issues such as public presentation, interpersonal relationships. or badual activity, which has a negative psychological impact and can generate anxiety, depression or isolation", Adds Gattolin.

Diagnosis and treatment

It is generally considered a condition of childhood because affects between 5 and 20% of childrenof which 10 to 40% have the severe form. Be that as it may, in 3 out of 10 cases, it persists after puberty and, in fact, some patients even show the first symptoms of the big ones.

Gattolin notes that "the pruritus they suffer from is the main diagnostic criterion and the main reason they go to the clinic, but red, swollen, cracked, thick, oozing skin is a complex, often severe and difficult picture. treat ".

At the first consultation, patients were also asked if they had any manifestation of the airway because they are very common with asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergies. food. He is also questioned about the family's history.

"Although one of the elements for establishing the diagnosis is the typical location of the lesions, in some patients the distribution differs from similar aspects to other conditions such as nummular eczema, prurigo, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies and even drug reactions.Therefore, to arrive at the correct diagnosis, many times it is necessary to conduct other more specific studies", Describes Pascutto.

Some factors contribute to the onset of epidemics and should be avoided:

✔️Stress

✔️ Food allergens (egg, milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, others)

✔️Aerallergens (mites, weeds, animal epithelia, fungi, others)

✔️Irritants such as skin cleansers, woolen garments or synthetic fibers

✔️Hot water

✔️ Low quality soap and aggressive detergents

✔️Climate with extreme temperatures, humidity or excessive dryness

✔ Cutaneous infections by some microorganisms

From the Argentine Society of Dermatology, pointed out that the most important recommendation is based on skin care and dry skin control to prevent scratches, exacerbation of injuries and superinfections.

Keep skin hydrated and hydrated with creams for this purpose is the most important measure. All compounds containing oats also help, since it is a natural anti-inflammatory for the skin. Ultraviolet rays work together, so it is recommended to be exposed to the sun, but before 10 hours or after 18 hours, because the most abrasive rays can dehydrate the skin and be counterproductive.

However, many patients with moderate to severe form claim that the symptoms persist despite the use of available therapeutic alternatives. In this sense, Pascutto argues that "the development of new drugs to inhibit the processes that trigger inflammation, with a good safety profile, opens up promising prospects for the near future".