What is atopic skin
Atopic skin, also known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema, is a common, chronic skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. It usually begins in infancy, affecting approximately 20% of all children. However, it can and often does improve with age, even clearing up completely. The condition is characterised by redness, itching, weeping blisters, dryness, and scaling of the skin and is usually associated with a family history of allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever, or food allergies.
While there is no known, single cause of atopic eczema, flare-ups are often triggered by factors, such as stress, weather changes, infections, and exposure to harsh chemicals or fabrics.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in children
Atopic eczema can appear during the first few months of your baby’s life, often starting on the face and scalp. In young children, while still crawling, the elbows and wrists, knees and ankles are often affected. As they grow up, the areas affected often change to the creases of the elbows and knees. Certain foods and drinks can make atopic dermatitis around the mouth and chin worse. Scratching and rubbing around the eyes (due to irritation from allergic reactions) can cause the skin to become thick and dry. The neck is another common area affected, causing what’s often referred to as “atopic dirty neck”.
If your child is suffering from atopic dermatitis, the skin may look red and inflamed, and there may be small weeping blisters. If the condition has been persistent, the skin may start to look and feel thickened, even cracking and splitting.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s important to consult your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and a child eczema treatment plan.
What is the best treatment for atopic eczema?
Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a common skin complaint that causes itchy, dry and cracked skin. It’s a condition that often starts in childhood and can last well into adulthood. The word ‘atopic’ means being sensitive to allergies and people who suffer from atopic eczema also frequently suffer from other allergies. In this article, we’ll look more specifically at what is atopic eczema, what causes eczema in adults and atopic eczema treatment, including some safe, natural, cost-effective home remedies.
What is atopic eczema and what are the symptoms?
If you suffer from atopic eczema, you’ve probably been aware of it for some time. As mentioned already, it often starts in early childhood and continues into adulthood. However, you may also experience it for the first time as an adult. If you’ve experienced the following symptoms for more than a few months and also suffer from allergies, there’s a good chance that you have atopic eczema. Sufferers of atopic eczema commonly experience small patches of dry, itchy skin on the hands, back of the knees or insides of the elbows. In children, it’s also common on their face and scalp. It can also flare up over large areas of the body. Symptoms often alternate between periods of little to no irritation to periods of flare-ups, with severe irritation.
What causes atopic eczema?
There is no known one cause of atopic eczema. The fact that it often runs in families indicates that it might be genetic. There are, however, known triggers that can cause flare-ups.
What triggers atopic eczema?
Soaps and detergents: A common trigger for atopic eczema flare-ups are soaps, detergents and cosmetics. Certain ingredients in these products can produce simple skin irritations or trigger severe allergic reactions.
If you want to find out if one of the cleansing or skincare products you’re using is triggering an atopic eczema flare-up, you can do a home patch test. A patch test is as simple as applying some product to a small patch of your skin and leaving it for a few minutes. If your skin reacts, you know you have a sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in the product. You might want to do this over a period of a few days just to be sure. If you suspect you might be suffering from atopic eczema and want a more thorough and accurate assessment, you can get a skin prick or patch test done by your GP.
Dry skin: In addition to particular ingredients triggering flare-ups, over washing or harsh soaps and cleansers can do the same. Both of these can cause your skin to lose its natural oils and moisture, causing dry skin, which can also trigger atopic eczema. If you’re experiencing skin irritations or allergic reactions, look for soaps, shower gels or shower creams specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin.
Best shower gel to help avoid atopic eczema
Because dry skin can trigger atopic eczema, why not look at using one of our ranges of gentle shower gels developed specifically for dry skin? Sanex Zero% Dry Skin Shower Gel has been formulated with natural origin moisturisers and without sulphates, colourants and soap to be kind to skin and reduce the risk of dry skin. Or, try Sanex Expert Skin Health Moisturising Shower Gel, which moisturises your skin with an advanced formula that targets bad bacteria and nourishes the good. Then there’s Sanex Expert Skin Health + Micellar Soothing, a mild shower gel that soothes dry skin and supports your skin’s natural defences.
Fragrances: Any product that has a fragrance, contains ingredients that can potentially trigger atopic eczema. This includes some products that we often don’t give a second thought to, such as scented candles, incense sticks and air fresheners. Fabric softeners, detergents, perfumes, cosmetics and deodorants are the more usual products to be aware of.
Jewellery: Pure gold and silver jewellery are extremely unlikely to cause any kind of skin irritation or allergic reaction. However, nickel is sometimes mixed with gold and silver jewellery, or in costume jewellery, and this could potentially cause atopic eczema.
Insect bites: These can cause the body to send inflammatory chemicals, such as histamine, to the bite area which can trigger an atopic eczema flare-up.
House dust mites, animal dander, pollen and mould: These are all common environmental factors that are known triggers for atopic eczema. The trouble is, they’re not always easy to pinpoint as being a trigger for atopic eczema flare-ups and therefore difficult to manage.
How to cure atopic eczema?
There is no known cure for atopic eczema but there are a number of atopic eczema treatments that can provide relief from symptoms, including safe, cost-effective home remedies.
Your first course of action, if you suspect you’re suffering from atopic eczema, is to avoid the known triggers we’ve already mentioned. If your symptoms continue and are severe, it’s worth getting advice from your GP, who may prescribe medication such as topical corticosteroids. Other than this, here are some atopic eczema treatments using home remedies. The great thing is that none of these are costly, and you can experiment until you find something that works for you.
Baking Soda: Baking soda is a wonderful remedy for any number of skin complaints, including atopic eczema, owing to its calming anti-inflammatory property. It should be a staple in every kitchen, bathroom or medicine cabinet. For a soothing bath, just add half a cup of baking soda. As a topical remedy add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to just enough water to form a paste. Apply this to the affected area and leave it for about 15 mins. Repeat as necessary.
Apple cider vinegar: Here’s another good, old-fashioned cure-all that every home should have. It’s particularly good for atopic eczema as it relieves inflammation. You can either dose yourself by drinking a couple of spoons of apple cider vinegar every day or add a cup or 2 to your bath. It can also be used as a topical treatment by diluting some apple cider vinegar in a bowl of warm water and dabbing the affected area a few times a day.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is widely considered one of nature’s best remedies for any number of skin complaints, including atopic eczema, with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can simply take an aloe leaf, cut it and apply the gel directly to your skin. You should feel its calming effect straight away.
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is another natural, safe remedy that you’ll often see recommended in treating certain skin complaints, including atopic eczema. It works because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The best way to use this remedy is by adding a couple of cups of oatmeal to your bath and, for extra effectiveness, you can also add a cup of baking soda.
Ginger: Ginger is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Grate some fresh ginger and press out the juice. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey to this and take it as a drink. Or you can apply it topically to the skin by peeling some fresh ginger and applying it directly to the area of the rash.
Turmeric: Turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antihistamine properties that are ideal in treating conditions such as atopic eczema. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk, or add a teaspoon to your favourite juice, smoothie or meal. Or you can create a paste and apply it topically by adding a small amount of water to a spoon or two of turmeric powder.
Chamomile: We all know about chamomile’s wonderful soothing properties, and it works just as well for soothing irritated or inflamed skin. Prepare a cup of chamomile tea as normal and simply apply it to the affected area with some cotton wool. Or, add chamomile tea to your bath and enjoy a long soak in the soothing water.
Witch hazel: Witch hazel, along with chamomile, is known to be effective for reducing inflammation. Witch hazel can be applied topically to the affected area using either witch hazel water or in a cream.
Honey: Another of nature’s wonder cures. Honey is antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, and can be applied directly to the skin. Before you go to bed in the evening, apply a thin layer of honey to the affected area. Cover this area with gauze or a bandage. In the morning, remove the dressing and clean the area.
Essential oils: The following essential oils contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can be effective in treating skin conditions such as atopic eczema: Chamomile oil, Eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil. Important. Depending on your skin type, some essential oils can cause skin allergies, so test the oil on a small area of your skin first.
We hope we’ve pointed you towards finding an atopic eczema treatment that works for you.
Child atopic dermatitis treatment
Skin care
Keeping your child’s skin moisturised is key to managing atopic eczema. Use gentle moisturising creams or ointments, preferably without fragrances. Avoid water that’s too hot and harsh soaps that can strip their skin of its natural oils. You may want to consider using Sanex Expert Skin Health + Therapy Oil which has been specially formulated to care for sensitive skin. It’s ideal for reactive, atopic-prone skin and has been dermatologically tested.
Topical corticosteroids
These medications are applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation and itching. They come in different strengths and can be used for short-term or long-term treatment, depending on the severity of the condition.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors
These medications, such as tacrolimus, are often used in areas where corticosteroids may be too strong or have unwanted side effects.
Antihistamines
These medications can help relieve itching and help your child improve their sleep. They are available over the counter or by prescription.
Immunomodulators
These medications, such as dupilumab, are given by injection to reduce inflammation and itching where there are moderate to severe atopic eczema symptoms.
Wet dressings or bandages
These can be used to soothe and moisturise the skin, especially during severe flare-ups.
Allergy testing and avoidance
If certain allergens are identified as triggers for atopic eczema flare-ups, avoiding or minimising exposure to them can help manage symptoms.
