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Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema Patients and Caregivers In their Own Words

NEA posed the question,

“What Should every Eczema Patient Know?”,

on the NEA facebook page recently,

and here’s what people had to say:



 

JW That not all treatments work for everyone.


AG Eczema patients should know side effects of all treatments and what factors can trigger eczema flare-ups (stress, diet, etc).

JB That steroid creams aren't always the solution.

KS You are not alone.

CZ It’s hard but there is always hope and keep trying.

SK That open skin breaks the barrier between you and the rest of the world.

The Basics: What Every Eczema Patient Should Know

 

The Facts

The word eczema is derived from a Greek word meaning “to boil over,” which is a good description for the red, inflamed, itching patches that occur during flare-ups of the disease. Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or inflammation of the skin. There are different types of eczema. The most common is called atopic dermatitis (AD).

AD falls into a category of diseases called atopic, a term originally used to describe the allergic conditions asthma and hay fever.

Infant and Toddler Eczema






What is eczema?


Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition. Eczema usually starts within the first five years of life, most often in the first six months. It typically lasts into childhood and adolescence. In some cases it may last into adulthood. Eczema tends to wax and wane. There are periods of time where the skin appears mildly affected or even normal, alternating with periods of moderate to severe involvement. Some children have very mild eczema and others have severe eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis).



Intendis, a Bayer HealthCare company is the proud sponsor of this Infant and

Living With Eczema

Index for "Living With Eczema" section

Video: Starting From Scratch

The purpose of this program is to provide information about basic skin care for people with eczema and sensitive skin, including the safest and most effective ways to bathe and moisturize. Armed with this knowledge, eczema sufferers and people with sensitive skin can enjoy the skin they're in.

Education Resource Center: Triggers of Eczema

There are many triggers that can cause eczema to flare or get worse. This table lists some common eczema triggers. You should learn what triggers your eczema to flare, and then try to avoid it.

Education Resource Center: Symptoms of Eczema

The rash of eczema is different for each person. It may even look different or affect different parts of your body from time to time. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. Generally, people with eczema suffer from dry, sensitive skin

Education Resource Center: Who Gets Eczema

More and more people have eczema. Right now, as many as 31.6 million Americans may have it.

Education Resource Center: Eczema Is Common

Many people have atopic dermatitis (which is often called eczema). Eczema is an itchy, red rash. It can appear all over the body.

Education Resource Center: Eczema Basic Information

The word eczema comes from a Greek word that means to effervesce or bubble or boil over. Learning more about eczema will help you understand it. You will learn how to treat you or your childs symptoms and flares.

Todo Acerca De Dermatitis Atópica

La Dermatitis Atópica (DA), es una enfermedad que causa comezón e inflamación de la piel. Tipicamente afecta las partes internas de los codos, atrás de las rodillas y la cara, pero también puede cubrir la mayor parte del cuerpo. DA es una categoría de enfermedades llamadas "atópicas" porque muchas veces afecta a personas que también sufren de asma y/o fiebre del heno o alergia.

Atopic Dermatitis in Children

Atopic dermatitis (AD), often called eczema (and pronounced "EK-zema") or atopic eczema, is a very common skin disease. It affects approximately 10% of all infants and children. The exact cause is not known, but AD results from a combination of family heredity and a variety of conditions in everyday life that triggers the red, itchy rash.

All About Atopic Dermatitis

What is Atopic Dermatitis (AD)?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease that causes itchy, inflamed skin. It typically affects the insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, and the face, but can cover most of the body. AD falls into a category of diseases called atopic, a term originally used to describe the allergic conditions asthma and hay fever. AD was included in the atopic category because it often affects people who either suffer from asthma and/or hay fever or have family members who do. Physicians often refer to these three conditions as the “atopic triad.” AD is not contagious.

Dyshidrotic Eczema?

My daughter, age 3½, has recurring blistering on the bottom of her left foot. We have been to two dermatologists and they believe she has dyshidrotic eczema. She has nothing on her hands or her right foot, just the left foot. She was given a steroid cream called Cutivate that seems to help when the eczema flares up, but I did not get any information on possible prevention or things I can do to help.

Recently Identified Immune Cells

Possible Therapeutic Target 
Implications

University of Pennsylvania study for treating the development and severity of atopic dermatitis

The increasing incidence of allergic skin diseases, and the accompanying economic burden and heightened risk of developing other allergic conditions, have spurred researchers to look for better ways to control these immune system-based disorders.

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly called eczema, now affects 10 to 20 percent of children in the United States and direct health-care costs exceed $3 billion, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and

Researchers Discover Genetic Basis for Eczema

New Avenue to Therapies

Eczema or Atopic dermatitis (AD) start with an itchy skin rash, but left untreated, can flare up across the entire body. Most sufferers    develop symptoms as infants and it affects millions of adults around the world. There is no cure. 
 
Managing this chronic illness means applying moisturizing lotions and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, which can have harmful side effects. A team led by Arup Indra, Associate Professor in the Dept.

Skin pH: From Basic Science to Basic Skin Care

Abstract:

The "acid mantle" is a topic not only of historical interest, but also of clinical significance and has recently been linked to vital stratum corneum function. Despite compelling basic science evidence placing skin pH as a key factor in barrier homeostasis, stratum corneum integrity, and antimicrobial defense, application of the acid mantle concept in clinical care is lacking. We review recent basic science investigations into skin pH, discuss skin disorders characterized by aberrant pH, and finally discuss practical application for preservation of the acid mantle.

Peanut Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Peanut Allergy

NIH-Funded Clinical Study is One of the First to Evaluate Sublingual Immunotherapy as a Peanut Allergy Treatment

A new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) can reduce the allergic response to peanut in adolescents and adults. SLIT is a treatment approach in which, under medical supervision, people place a small amount of allergen under the tongue to decrease their sensitivity to the allergen.

Food Allergies? Pesticides in Tap Water Might be to Blame

Food allergies are on the rise, affecting 15 million Americans. And according to a new study published in the December 2012 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), pesticides and tap water could be partially to blame.

The study reported that high levels of dichlorophenols, a chemical used in pesticides and to chlorinate water, when found in the human body, are associated with food allergies.

“Our research shows that high levels of dichlorophenol-containing pesticides can possibly weaken food

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