Atopic Dermatitis Treatment -Procedures, Side effects, Recovery time, Costs and alternatives

Atopic dermatitis is a very commonly occurring skin condition. It is also commonly referred to as eczema. The onset of this skin disease usually starts during the early childhood of the patient probably a few months after the baby is born. However, atopic dermatitis may occur at any age. The most commonly affected areas of atopic dermatitis include cheek, arms, and legs. This condition of the skin causes rashes to appear on the skin. Severe itching is experienced in the rashes which appear.

This skin disease can be severely discomforting and chronic in some cases. Atopic dermatitis usually disappears in children while they are growing up, but sometimes it can worsen as the child grows older. Despite the extensive research conducted on atopic dermatitis, it is still not possible to tell the exact reason why this condition appears in the first place. This skin disease may also get genetically transferred to a child from their parents. The studies conducted on atopic dermatitis reveal that 1 person out of every 10 people had atopic dermatitis at some point in their life. The patients who suffer from hay fever or asthma are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis may also be related to the infection of the skin from bacteria and fungi. The symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis are:

• Severe itching
• Dry skin
• Tiny raised bumps which can contain a liquid that may leak
• Scaly, thickened and cracked skin
• Reddish-brown patches on the skin mostly near wrists, ankles, upper chest, elbows, knees, feet and hands.

A doctor prescribes the treatment of atopic dermatitis based on the severity of the condition.There are several treatments available for treating atopic dermatitis, for instance, topical steroids, topical moisturizers, antihistamines, antibiotics, topical immunomodulator, ultraviolet light therapy, and nutritional supplements. Researchers are regularly conducting a clinical trial for a finding a permanent solution for atopic dermatitis.

The various treatment options available for the Atopic dermatitis are as follows:

• Steroids: Among the treatment options available the most commonly prescribed treatment for atopic dermatitis is topical steroid medication. The topical steroid creams mostly contain a corticosteroid. These topical steroid ointments provide relief to the patient by reducing the inflamed skin. This topical medication, when used correctly, is very safe and effective. The topical steroid cream is applied to the affected area of the skin. This medication is usually prescribed to be applied daily on the skin. The strength of the topical steroid cream to be applied is based on the severity of the condition.
• Medication: When atopic dermatitis is not restricted to just a single area then a doctor may prescribe some oral medications for the treatment. Oral medications may also be prescribed to a patient if he/she is not responding to the topical medications. Some medications prescribed by the doctor for relieving the symptoms of atopic dermatitis are antihistamines, azathioprine, methotrexate, prednisolone, and cyclosporine.
• Light Therapy: When a patient suffering from atopic dermatitis is not responding to topical treatment then a doctor may prescribe light therapy. This therapy has proven to be very effective in patients with severe atopic dermatitis. In this treatment, the affected area of the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet light. Mostly ultraviolet light band light is preferred for the light therapy but there are some forms of atopic dermatitis that respond only to UVA light.
• Wet dressing: In severe cases of atopic dermatitis, a doctor may prescribe a patient to do wet dressing treatment. In this treatment after applying the topical steroid cream to the affected area, the patient is required to cover the area where the cream is applied with a clean cloth or bandage that has been soaked in lukewarm water. The bandage must be placed for at least 15 to 60 minutes. This process is required to be repeated at least thrice a day.

A patient who is suffering from the problem of atopic dermatitis is eligible for the treatment of skin disease. A person suffering from atopic dermatitis will exhibit the following symptoms :

• In children, the patches of severely itchy, thick and dry skin would appear near the elbow and knees, while in an adult it may occur near the chest, face, legs, and neck.
• Tiny bumps may be observed on the skin from which fluid might ooze out.

The presence of these symptoms would confirm the dermatologist that the person is suffering from atopic dermatitis and hence is eligible for treatment.

The eligibility of a patient for the treatment of atopic dermatitis is decided by the doctor. A patient might be suffering from some other form of skin disease which might appear to look like atopic dermatitis then that patient would not be eligible for the treatment. A patient who is allergic to the use of steroids either topically or orally is not eligible for the treatment with these medicines for atopic dermatitis for them a doctor may have to prescribe some other treatment like light therapy.

In the majority of the cases if a patient undergoes treatment for any disease then there some side effects associated with that treatment. However, there are some rare treatments which do not exhibit any side effect. If a patient undergoing treatment experiences a minor side effect then usually that side effect disappears after a small duration of time. If a patient exhibits serious side effects then it is imperative that a doctor must be consulted.

The use of topical steroid for the treatment of atopic dermatitis can lead to side effects like thinning of the skin, stretch marks where the cream is applied, enlargement of blood vessels, tearing and bruising of the skin, and hypertrichosis. These corticosteroids may give the sensation of burning or stinging over the affected skin area which are very less occurring side effects of it seen rarely. Increased blood flows with swelling as well as discoloration of skin are observed after application of these corticosteroids cream in some cases.

The side effects associated with the use of oral medications like antihistamines are sleepiness, feeling of nausea, blurred vision, restlessness, and dry mouth. Making use of light therapy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis has side effects like the strain on eyes and a headache. However, making use of a wet dressing technique for the treatment is relatively safe and does not have any side effect associated with it. In case any of these side effects persists or there any other health issues arising during or after treatment, it is advised to kindly consult the health specialist immediately.

• A patient is required to moisturize their skin at least two times a day.
• Making use of petroleum jelly product in children prevents atopic dermatitis development.
• A patient must identify the triggers that cause atopic dermatitis in them and try to avoid them
• The lengths of the bath need to be limited. For bathing hot water should not be used, the water should only be lukewarm. The bathing should be restricted to 5 to 10 minutes.
• A bleach bath must be taken by the patients as it helps in the prevention of atopic dermatitis.
• Deodorant and soaps that are mild must be preferred by the patient.
• After taking the bath the skin must be completely dried with the towel.

The recovery of a patient suffering from atopic dermatitis is based on the severity of the condition and the treatment which is used by the patient. Topical medication may start acting immediately on the affected area but the improvements might be observed after a few days. Thus, it can be safely said that there is no specific time frame within which a patient would completely recover.

For a patient using topical steroid for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, a 15gm tube would cost around 60 to 120 rupees. The cost of treatment of atopic dermatitis may range from 9000 rupees to 10,000 rupees based on the number of times the therapy would be required and the location where the therapy is being given.

The results of the treatment for atopic dermatitis are not permanent as it has been observed that this skin disease might reappear anytime in the near future. The medical professionals and researchers around the world have still not been able to find a permanent treatment for this skin condition. It would not be wrong to say that the current treatment only provides immediate relief to the patient.

A patient suffering from atopic dermatitis may opt for some alternative treatment. there are some natural remedies which help the patient suffering from this condition. Making use of coconut oil on the skin can be very effective in the prevention of atopic dermatitis. Making use of sunflower seed oil also has its benefits for the patients since this oil acts as a natural skin barrier and has anti-inflammatory properties. Besides these natural remedies, a patient may opt for biological medicines.