Atopic dermatitis, also called atopic eczema or infantile eczema, affects people with dry and rough skin and may be caused by a variety of allergens.<\/p>\n
Atopic dermatitis often starts in early childhood, around three months of age, and tends to run in atopic families.<\/p>\n
Possible causes of atopic dermatitis include:<\/p>\n
– Food allergy, which plays an important role in children under one year but not in adults<\/p>\n
– Cow’s milk, hen’s eggs and peanuts are the foods most likely to exacerbate infantile eczema<\/p>\n
– House dust mites tend to aggravate eczema in older children and adults<\/p>\n
– Pet dander exposure, such as to cats, dogs and other furry animals, may play a role<\/p>\n
– Certain bacteria may cause sudden, severe outbreaks of eczema<\/p>\n
Tips to manage atopic dermatitis<\/p>\n
If you have atopic eczema you may find the following useful:<\/p>\n
– Take lukewarm baths with emollients, but don’t stay in the water too long<\/p>\n
– Pat the skin dry with a towel – never rub eczematous skin dry<\/p>\n
– Avoid soap, detergents and shampoo – use aqueous cream instead of soap<\/p>\n
– Wear cotton fabrics next to your skin – avoid wool and polyester<\/p>\n
– Wear loose rather than tight-fitting clothes<\/p>\n
– Clip your fingernails and don’t scratch or rub your skin<\/p>\n
– Avoid sports that make you sweat a lot<\/p>\n
And, try to stay calm and relaxed because stress can make eczema worse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"