The manifestations of atopic dermatitis are often confused with seborrheic dermatitis in babies, and with psoriasis in children and adults.
By: Maria Camila Sanchez
The atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic dermatological diseases in children, affecting approximately 10% of patients. children at some stage of your life; In most cases, about 60%, the disease begins to manifest itself in the first years of life.
Although the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis It is clinical, health professionals take into account some symptoms that help to discern the condition, since it is common for it to be confused with other dermatological diseases that have similar characteristics.
To delve further into the subject, the Journal of Medicine and Public Health spoke with the dermatologist, Dr. Marely Santiago, who assured that “in infants, the atopic dermatitis It tends to be confused with seborrheic dermatitis, and in adulthood, it is often confused with seborrheic dermatitis. psoriasis”.
Psoriasis vs. atopic dermatitis
This happens because generally, in the you drink the injuries of the atopic dermatitis They appear on the face and in the extensor areas. As they grow childrenthese disease manifestations may be similar to those of psoriasisgenerating confusion, although their distribution is not equal, this being an essential factor for a correct diagnosis.
While eczema often appears in crease areas of the fur, such as elbows or behind the knees; the psoriasis It arises in extensive and varied areas, such as the scalp, neck, back, eyelids, hands, nails, among others.
completely different causes
According to the medical literature, the psoriasis responds to an autoimmune disorder; however, it is known that some factors such as obesity, hormonal changes, stress or insufficient vitamin D can exacerbate the symptoms of the condition.
On the other hand, in the atopic dermatitis The family pattern is kept under consideration, since there is a hereditary predisposition and, in addition, it is related to other conditions such as asthma, rhinitis or allergies to some foods. Also, with the deterioration of the barrier function of the furwhich tends to make it more sensitive to irritable external agents that facilitate its appearance.
“Patients with atopic dermatitis have compromised the fur, so it is much more common for them to have allergic reactions to different agents”, confirmed the expert. In fact, there are different laboratory tests that make it easier to recognize the agents that cause inflammation or exacerbations of dermatitis, in order to recognize and avoid it. “This is basically the most important part of the treatment.”
What happens with atopic dermatitis?
Itching, or pruritus, is the sign that accompanies this disease at all times. Clinically, it is recognized as papular and vesicular eruption, with edema and exudation and crust.
“The primary lesion of AD is itching; little by little there is redness in the affected area and then a thickened plaque forms, and the lesions become dry.”
In general, after the dermatologist has determined the disease, treatment begins. Above all, it is essential that the patient can help the doctor identify what conditions and what elements tend to exacerbate the condition.
“If we have patients with dermatitis that does not improve, we must rule out that it is not allergic dermatitis, or some chemical compound, because with AD, it is more common to have allergic reactions to different agents,” says dermatologist Marely Santiago.
comprehensive care
AD is one of the dermatological diseases that most negatively impacts patients, so the recommendation of dermatologist Santiago is that these patients can receive comprehensive help.
“This condition affects the ability to go to school, compromises not being able to sleep peacefully, and a thousand reasons that ends up disabling the patient” concludes Dr. Marely Santiago.
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