What is important to know about atopic dermatitis in children and its treatment?

Manifestations of the disease

The main manifestations of the disease are red inflammatory rashes with peeling, which are accompanied by itching, against the background of dry skin.Despite the fact that atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease, due to proper care and selected therapy, the frequency of exacerbations can be significantly reduced and the quality of life of patients can be improved.

What to do if you are prone to atopic dermatitis?

• International recommendations for patients with atopic dermatitis:
• Monitor the microclimate in the room: air temperature should be 20-21C, humidity 60-70%.
• Choose hypoallergenic detergents, install additional rinsing during washing, do not use fabric softeners.
• Replace down, feather pillows and woolen blankets with synthetic ones. Avoid carpets, soft toys.
• Avoid skin contact with irritating materials (wool, synthetic fabrics). Choose clothes and shoes made of natural materials that allow the skin to breathe. Give preference to fabrics created specifically for patients with atopic dermatitis.
• Carry out wet cleaning at home at least once a week.
• Spend more time outside in the fresh air.
• Swimming is allowed daily. The temperature of the water should be 33-36С, the duration of the bathing procedure should not be longer than 10 minutes.
• Avoid using aggressive detergents. To clean the skin, you should use special hypoallergenic detergents for irritated atopic skin in the form of oils, gels or syndets with a neutral pH. It is forbidden to rub the skin with a washcloth, even if at that moment there is no rash and inflammation on the skin. After bathing, do not wipe or rub the skin, but carefully wipe it with a soft towel.
• Immediately after cleansing (on wet skin), you should apply lipid-regenerating, softening and moisturizing agents (emollients), which restore the skin's protective barrier.
• It is recommended to use special products designed for atopic skin prone to irritation. The frequency of application is individual and meets the requirements of the skin. The approximate amount of emollients is 200 ml per week. It is necessary to increase the application frequency in the cold season.
• Avoid exposure to tobacco. Passive smoking causes exacerbation of atopic dermatitis.
• For children with atopic dermatitis, the usual vaccination schedule with injections into the unaffected area of ​​the skin is recommended. Additional vaccination against the varicella virus, which is not included in the vaccination calendar in Ukraine, is also recommended.
• Patients' nutrition should be normal, according to the principle of forming a plate of healthy food. Restrictions on certain products are established only in the case of a confirmed food allergy.
• Children are recommended to be exclusively breastfed up to 6 months. When introducing complementary foods, all recommended food is introduced without diets. The introduction of all food allergens should take place before 1 year. Breastfeeding is recommended up to 2 years.

Author: Dermatovenereologist, pediatric dermatologist, trichologist Ksenia  Myhorova.