A little about the disease
- Atopic dermatitis can appear at any age, but usually appears at a young age - 85% will suffer from the disease before the age of 5.
- The disease is itchy, and sometimes the rash will appear in areas where there was prolonged itching and scratching - hence the importance of reducing itching as much as possible with various medications.
- This is a common skin disease that is constantly increasing in terms of prevalence in the population, especially in the Western world. Currently, about 17% of children suffer from atopic dermatitis at one level of severity or another.
- Atopic dermatitis has a genetic/familial component, but about a quarter of children will develop the disease without a family background. A significant portion of those suffering from atopic dermatitis will also suffer from respiratory asthma.
- Many environmental factors may worsen atopic dermatitis, including:
- Pets, especially cats. Cat allergy is common in the population.
- Seasonal, most patients will worsen in winter, but some will also worsen in summer.
- Perfumes, preservatives, cosmetics, dyes may Cause contact dermatitis and worsen the skin condition. Atopic dermatitis patients are at risk of developing skin allergies, and are therefore sometimes required to undergo allergy patch tests.
- Food allergy
- Atopic dermatitis has different forms in the skin that vary depending on the severity of the disease and the patient's age. Some patients will suffer from the disease their entire lives, but about 2/3 of children will become completely symptom-free by middle school.
What is the treatment?
- Various medications given in creams or pills, light therapy (phototherapy) and other additional treatments, aimed at reducing inflammation and itching. Sometimes antibiotics are needed due to skin infections. In recent years, new treatments have been added, including biological treatments that have been included in the health basket.
- Avoiding environmental factors that may worsen the condition.
- Moisturizing and lubricating the skin on a daily basis.
- Various allergy tests and avoiding allergens Known (recommended to be performed after one year of age).
Prof. Horev is one of the authors of the guidelines for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in Israel
The Association's guidelines for the treatment of atopic dermatitis
