Frequently asked questions
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurring inflammatory disease. It has the strongest and most noticeable impact on the skin, which becomes extremely itchy. Long lasting and severe forms of atopic dermatitis can also become accompanied by other atopic conditions such as chronic bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and many others.
The disease occurs in early infancy (up until the second year of a child’s life) but it can appear at any stage in one’s life.
The skin in certain areas of the body typically affected by atopic dermatitis becomes dry, red, scaly and itchy.
Atopic dermatitis is a complex condition that develops due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The latest research shows that the condition is a systemic and also autoimmune disease.
Atopic dermatitis can’t be cured because it’s a complex, systemic and autoimmune illness caused by the patients’ genetic predisposition for it. The illness typically goes into remission but flares up again periodically. In one third of the children, it can disappear in adolescence but reappear at any other point later in life. It’s an encouraging fact that the scientific interest in the condition has been growing in the past few years. New treatments are currently in development, which may make the lives of patients with atopic dermatitis easier.
No, atopic dermatitis isn’t contagious. The lack of knowledge about this fact makes atopic dermatitis patients targets of stigmatising and discriminating behaviour that leads to isolation. Especially child patients should be allowed to play normally with their healthy peers.
Atopic dermatitis is usually linked with various food allergens (milk proteins, egg white, fish, soy, gluten, nuts etc.), but this isn’t always the case. If you notice a worsening of your condition after eating certain foods, try an elimination diet. Inform your GP or paediatrician about it. They will refer you to an allergist.
The elimination diet must be adhered to strictly if prescribed. The answer is no.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition and thus represents a constant psychological burden for the patients. The patients must make many compromises due to their illness, and their quality of life is strongly reduced. To weather the condition more easily, it’s recommended that the patients seek out professional psychological support.
Yes, the most common types of complications are the secondary bacterial, virus and fungi infections. In severe forms of atopic dermatitis, the scarring of the skin is also present.
Swimming in pools isn’t recommended. Pool water is chlorinated, which can have an adverse effect on the condition of the skin. It’s important to know that the skin of atopic dermatitis patients is extremely susceptible to secondary infections, which can lead to serious complications.
It’s very important for you to accept that your family member, friend or acquaintance is different to those without atopic dermatitis. Treat him or her the way you would treat any other person in your life. The support and understanding of others plays a very important role in the lives of people with atopic dermatitis.