Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, affects about 10-20% of children in the UK and about 1-3% of adults. The incidence of atopic dermatitis has increased as much as 3 fold in the past 40 years. The disease is most common in children where it causes rashes, redness, sore skin, itching, dryness, blisters, bleeding, sleepless nights and more. As children become adults, many stop suffering from the disease or suffer from milder symptoms. It is rare for atopic dermatitis to first become evident in adulthood. Adults have the same symptoms as children and can also suffer from thickened, leathery skin, dry scaly patches and other problems. Children are most likely to have skin problems on the face, especially the cheeks. Adults are more likely to have skin problems on their hands, behind their elbows and knees. The skin can crack, ooze, bleed and become infected with Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria. Healthcare professionals are especially prone to the disease. As many as 10 – 50% of healthcare professionals suffer from atopic dermatitis. The reasons for the increase in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis are not known. The reasons healthcare professionals suffer so much form atopic dermatitis are not known. In fact, the causes of atopic dermatitis are not known.

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