Dermatitis and eczema: diagnosis and treatment

What kind of dermatitis are treated in GK Clinic?

• Allergic – contact dermatitis
• Iritative – contact dermatitis
• Phototoxic dermatitis
• Photo – allergic dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis
• Dishydrotic dermatitis
• Coin (microbial) dermatitis
• Static (stasis) dermatitis
• Dry skin dermatitis
•  Local neurodermitis

What is an atopic dermatitis (AD)?

Atopic dermatitis, neurodermitis, atopic eczema and endogenic eczema – are the synonyms of one disease. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which has characteristic features, such as skin itch, different skin rashes and damages. The disease tends to repeat. Usually people at the same time suffer from other atopic diseases, such allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.

What causes this disease?

AD development is very much determined by genetic, immune and environmental factor interaction, which has effect on the skin barrier function. Though specific method of heredity is not completely known, it is believed, that in case one of the parents suffers or used to suffer from AD, the risk for a kid to have this disease is about 30%, and if both parents suffer or used to suffer from AD, then the risk increases approximately by 70%. Food allergens (e.g. milk, wheat, fish, white of the egg, soy), contact allergens (e.g. nickel, chrome, aromatic substances, parabens), contact irritants (e.g. wool, synthetics, washing powder, etc., chemical substances), aeroallergens – environmental allergens (indoor dust, dust mites, pollen, animal hair, indoor mold fungi), skin infections (bacteria, fungi, viruses) and emotional stress are the provocative factors, stimulating AD development and flaring up.

What are the major symptoms of atopic dermatitis?

The skin of patients, suffering from AD, is dryer than normal. The main symptom of AD is skin itching , skin rashes and damage. AD clinics changes during life time, depending on age. Babies and little children have specific AD with acute progress: The rashes appear on face, scalp and certain parts of the limbs. In older children chronic eczema rashes on face, neck and protractible limb surfaces are specific for AD.

Is this disease infectious?

The disease is not infectious, however the majority of patients, suffers very much because of skin changes: many patients avoid any contact with others and are ashamed of their illness. Thus life quality , education or work activities are disturbed.

How is this disease treated in GK Clinic?

The main thing treating the AD is skin care with emollients. Emollients are moisturising and nourishing creams without medical substances. The main role of emollients is to restore the damaged barrier function of epidermis. It is very important to use emollients daily, at least twice per day, even during the remission of the illness, as a prophylactic measure in order to prevent flare up of the disease. When treating the AD, it is also very important to determine the provocative factors. If the disease flares up, combined treatment is prescribed, i.e: local or systemic medications and phototherapy (treatment with UVA/UVB 311 nm rays) is prescribed. In GK Clinic’s modern PHOTO DERMATOLOGICAL CENTRE, atopic dermatitis is treated using a state-of-the-art Waldmann devices.

If you have any questions, please contact our GK Clinic by phone at (+370) 5 255 33 53 and arrange a private consultation.