My 8yr old Daughter has just been diagnosed with (atopic) eczema, any advice on treatment and care please.?

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Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is considered familial with allergic features. It often occurs in patients with other atopic disorders such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.The terms "dermatitis" and "eczema" are frequently used interchangeably. When the term "eczema" is used alone, it usually refers to atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema). "Eczematous" also connotes some scaling, crusting, or serous oozing as opposed to mere erythema.
The atopic disorders affect 8 to 25 percent of populations worldwide and the incidence of allergic diseases and atopic dermatitis appear to be increasing. They may occur in any race or geographic location, although there appears to be a higher incidence in urban areas and developed countries, especially western societies .The vast majority of atopic dermatitis has an onset before age five years, and prevalence data in children show a slight female to male preponderance.
The precise immunologic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis are not completely understood, and there is no marker for the disease. The importance of allergic triggers is suggested by the observation that approximately 85 percent of patients have elevated serum IgE concentrations and positive immediate skin test results to a variety of food and inhalant antigens.Food allergies are rare in adults, but avoidance of aeroallergens, particularly dust mites and animal danders, has resulted in clinical improvement in some patients with atopic dermatitis.Most patients have manifestations of atopic dermatitis by age five to seven years. In children, acute skin lesions that appear as intensely pruritic erythematous patches with papules and some scaling can be seen on the face, scalp, extremities, or trunk; diaper areas are usually spared.
Advances in the therapy of atopic dermatitis have focused upon immune regulation as more is understood about the immunology of this disorder. Nevertheless, standard modalities will continue to be important in the long-term management of these patients, centering around the use of topical antiinflammatory preparations and lubrication of the skin .Most cases of atopic dermatitis are chronic. Thus, the goal of therapy is to improve symptoms while minimizing exposure to potentially toxic drugs.

Exacerbating factors in atopic dermatitis include excessive bathing, low humidity environments, emotional stress, xerosis (dry skin), rapid temperature changes, and exposure to solvents and detergents. Avoiding these situations is helpful for acute flares as well as for long-term management.

Adjunctive measures that can be helpful in all patients with dermatitis include
1-Avoid trigger factors such as heat, perspiration, low humidity
2-Treat bacterial colonization with washing and selected antibiotic use
3-Treat viral skin infections such as herpes simplex
4-Use antihistamines for sedation and control of itching
5-Treat stress and anxiety
sleeping environment with minimal dust and upholstery reduces exposure to house dust mites and may potentially reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis.

In infants, avoidance of certain foods can be helpful. Common food triggers include eggs, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, milk, seafoods, and soya.

Patients with atopic dermatitis frequently have allergic responses to multiple allergens, including type IV reactions to aeroallergens [25]. Immunotherapy (desensitization) has not been useful for the management of atopic dermatitis, in contrast to its success in treating patients with other atopic disorders.

Evaporation of water on the skin leads to xerosis in patients with atopic dermatitis; skin hydration is a key component of their overall management. Lotions, which have a high water and low oil content, can worsen xerosis via evaporation and trigger a flare of the disease. In contrast, thick creams (eg, Eucerine, Cetaphil, Nutraderm), which have a low water content, or ointments (eg, petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Petrolatum), which have zero water content, better protect against xerosis. Emollients are best applied immediately after bathing when the skin is well hydrated.

Some controversy exists concerning whether showering or bathing is preferable in patients with atopic dermatitis. Most authorities recommend a hydrating bath followed by immediate emollient application, but others recommend a shower of short duration, which better removes surface antigens that may be acting as trigger factors. No well designed studies have been published to address this controversy. We feel that either option is reasonable but suggest bathing to most patients; whether bath or shower, rapid application of emollients or prescribed topical preparations is important.

Corticosteroids are also helpful,but i prefer to tell u visit your doctor before using them because of their adverse effects.Antihistamines are also widely used as a therapeutic adjunct in patients with atopic dermatitis to treat both pruritus and eye irritation .The topical calcineurin inhibitors appear to be effective for the treatment of atopic dermatitis ,they have minor side effects too.Oral calcineurin inhibitors is effective for severe atopic dermatitis (some studies showed that)
Many patients with atopic dermatitis can initially be treated by a nonspecialist. if you didn't get a good answeryou can refer to a dermatologist too.(it has some criteria itself ,which you can consult your doctor for )
If you need more information ,I can tell you via email.
hope fortune and happiness for you and your little daughter

the cream that the doctor prescribes usually works. eczema normally occurs psychologically but i guess 8 is a young age to develop something due to a psychological reason. my sister had really bad eczema when she was around that age too but it goes away as the child grows older...

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My 8yr old Daughter has just been diagnosed with (atopic) eczema, any advice on treatment and care please.?

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