Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing disease, justified by allergic genesis. Previously, it was known as Besnier's prurigo, now another name is often used: common, disseminated or diffuse neurodermatitis. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis depend on the course of the disease, on the characteristics of its manifestation in different age periods, which are conventionally divided into infant, child and adult.
More often the disease manifests itself in childhood, in adults it occurs in the form of exacerbations. A complex of signs of pseudo-allergy, atopy, vegetative disorders, itching, exudative lichenoid (similar to lichen planus), eczematous skin rashes are the most characteristic symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
In children, the disease is expressed by rashes on the face, more often on the skin of the cheeks and forehead, neck, hands, maychanges appear on the extensor surface of the forearms, lower legs, on the skin of the buttocks and torso. Swelling red patches may tend to form solid lesions that crust over due to scratching.
The disease can persist in adulthood, it either subsides or recurs. Then it gradually disappears, but the skin remains prone to itching, various inflammatory reactions in response to various exogenous stimuli. Susceptibility to pollen, household, bacterial and epidermal allergens is more likely to cause atopic dermatitis in adults.
Its symptoms are manifested by foci of skin lichenification, which are localized in the folds of the body, on the neck, forehead, near the eyes. In the elderly, dermatitis usually presents as scaly, papular, exudative plaques. They are characterized by a less characteristic localization, often manifested in the form of chronic eczema of the hands. But at times, rashes can change their character, become generalized. This explains the features of the different expression of signs that characterize atopic dermatitis. Photo symptoms are shown in all their diversity in atlases of skin diseases. Some of them can be seen in this article. So, in the elderly, prurigo-like papules are a common symptom, the skin becomes dry and somewhat erythematous.
In modern medicine, atopic dermatitis is called a hereditary allergy that occurs on a fairly wide range of substances. The leading causal factors of the disease are genetic predisposition, impaired immunological mechanisms, stress, hypothermia, contact with allergens, environmental conditions. The disease is a multi-stage long process. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis, regardless of age phases, are always accompanied by itching. This is the most constant and pronounced symptom, on the basis of which many skin rashes often occur. Prolonged scratching of the skin due to itching leads to lichenification and becomes the cause of secondary infection. The itching is sometimes so overwhelming that the patient feels no pain. Opening vesicles lead to the appearance of weeping wounds and abrasions, the formation of crusts.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are often especially acute in winter. Dryness of the skin at this time increases greatly and becomes ichthyotic, Denis lines appear at the lower eyelids, lymph nodes increase, itching can become so severe that it causes psycho-emotional disorders. In general, the manifestations of dermatitis are quite variable and depend on the age category of the patient, the course of the disease and its severity, the state of the environment, and many others.
The treatment regimen for the disease is established by the doctor on an individual basis and includes antihistamines, anti-inflammatory and other drugs. At all stages of treatment, the exclusion of factors provoking the disease is envisaged, the patient is advised to observe hygiene and diet.
