This is a common skin disease in children. The cause of Atopic Dermatitis is not clear but it affects your child’s skin’s ability to hold moisture. The skin becomes dry, itchy and easily irritated. Most children who have Atopic Dermatitis have a family history of Allergies.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) is a recurrent or chronic inflammatory skin disease. It usually begins in the first few years of life.

Things that may make Atopic Dermatitis worse include:

-Allergens such as dust mites or animal dander

-Harsh soaps or detergents

-weather changes, especially dry or cold

-Skin infections

-An allergic reaction to certain foods such as eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat etc

The prevalence of Atopic dermatitis has increased over the past 30 years; children with Atopic Dermatitis are at a high risk of developing Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis.

AtopicDermatitis starts with dry skin that is often very itchy. Scratching causes thedry skin to become red and irritated (inflamed) also infection often occurs .Tinybumps that look like little blisters may appear and ooze fluid or crust over. Thesesymptoms-dryness, itchiness, scratching and inflammation may come and go.

Mild Atopic Dermatitis affects a small area of skin, is not very itchy and usually goes away with moisturizer.

Severe Atopic Dermatitis covers a large area of skin that is very itchy and does not go away with moisturizer.

Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is not completely understood, it appears to result from the complex interplay between defects in skin barrier function, environmental and infectious agents and immune abnormalities.

Impairment in the skin’s ability to work as a barrier to keep moisture in and harmful bacteria out is considered a possible factor in triggering or advancing Atopic Dermatitis. We don’t know if the bacterial over growth is weakening the skin barrier function or a weakening of the barrier is enabling the bacterial overgrowth, but we do know now that they are co-related.

Common sites for babies include the scalp and face (especially on the cheeks), in front of the knees and the back of elbows.

In children common areas include the neck, wrists, legs, ankles, the creases of elbows or knees and in between the buttocks.

There are no specific tests for Atopic Dermatitis. Diagnosis is based on specific criteria that take into account the patient’s history and clinical manifestations.

Education: For optimal disease management, parents should be educated about the disease, the need for continued adherence to proper skin care practices.

Skin care principles: A key features of Atopic Dermatitis management is appropriate daily skin care. Bathing once or twice daily in warm water for 10-15 min is recommended to help hydrate and cleanse the skin, assist in the debridement of infected skin. Moisturizing  cleansers are recommended while highly fragranced soaps should be avoided as they may irritate the skin. After bathing the child’s skin should be patted dry with a towel and moisturizers should be applied liberally to help prevent moisture loss and drying of the skin.

Salt Room Therapy: Salt room helps to moisturize, detoxify and soften the skin. It helps to strengthen skin tissues, stimulate blood circulation and eliminate toxins.  Regular salt sessions helps to reverse chemical imbalance of the skin and body as well as balance the skin’s natural PH levels, helping to prevent dry skin. It helps in cleansing and detoxifying the skin by removing the irritants and impurities. Parents are very happy about the treatment since this is drugless without any adverse effects.

  • Atopic Dermatitis is the most common skin disorder in children and significantly impacts quality of life.
  • The diagnosis is based on patient history and clinical manifestations.
  • Allergy testing using Skin Prick test or IgE. Measurements may be useful for identifying triggers of Atopic Dermatitis.
  • Optimal skin care practices
  • Salt Room therapy treatment is effective