Atopic Dermatitis

How Do You Fix Atopic Dermatitis?

If your child has developed a red, scaly rash on the arms, knees or face they may have a condition known as atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema. While this condition usually occurs during childhood, as many as 18 million American adults also have atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition, with symptoms that often come and go.

Signs and Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

Many skin conditions produce similar symptoms; therefore, it can be difficult to determine if the symptoms you or your child are experiencing are actually due to atopic dermatitis or other skin problems. Atopic dermatitis produces a red, scaly and itchy rash that may crust over, crack or weep.

Those with atopic dermatitis often complain about dry skin. Since the skin can be extremely itchy, a person with atopic dermatitis will usually be tempted to scratch. This leads to a severe and vicious cycle of continuous itching and scratching. Certain factors can make atopic dermatitis flare-ups worse including detergents, seasonal allergies, cold weather, and stress. If you suspect that you or your child may have atopic dermatitis, Dr. Sheen and his team here in Metairie and Covington are here to help.

Treating Atopic Dermatitis

While there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, Dr. Sheen is able to provide effective, long-term relief from atopic dermatitis symptoms for both children and adults. A treatment plan will usually involve a blend of conservative self-care and medication. Trying to treat atopic dermatitis on your own can be challenging and sometimes impossible. That’s why turning to an allergist may be the best decision you make for the long-term management of your dermatitis symptoms.

Certain prescription medications may be provided to you to control itching and to repair damaged skin. This includes corticosteroid creams, which can be applied directly to the scaly, red skin. Other types of creams act on the immune system to reduce symptoms. For those with more severe cases, Dr. Sheen may prescribe an oral steroid to reduce widespread inflammation. Other non-medicinal treatment options include self-care measures, light therapy and behavioral modification (to help with habitual scratching).

Dr. Sheen will discuss your symptoms with you to determine the best course of action. Also, when new and improved atopic dermatitis medications and therapies are available, we can discuss whether these may be a more effective long-term solution for managing your symptoms.

Don’t let atopic dermatitis affect your quality of life and appearance. Turn to Dr. Sheen and his team for help. Call (504) 456-1999 for our Metairie office and (985) 246-6077 for our Covington office.