AD, or atopic dermatitis, is an increasingly common ailment in children. Statistics show that it now affects one in five toddlers. The disease is very annoying and effectively impedes daily functioning. What are its causes and symptoms?
AD in the youngest – what is it?
It is an inflammatory skin disease. What causes AD in children is a specific allergen. Atopic dermatitis unfortunately lasts a lifetime. It is an unpleasant ailment of a chronic and recurrent nature. It usually begins in childhood – in more than half of toddlers, skin lesions appear in infancy. The disease can last in a quiescent state and not be associated with any symptoms for years, however, it can recur at any time.
AD in children and infants – symptoms
Atopic dermatitis is sometimes confused with an infectious disease. However, it is important to remember that it is an allergic disease. Among its most characteristic symptoms are:
- Dryness and sensitivity of the skin to external factors,
- High susceptibility to irritation (the skin is irritated by many things, from allergens to wool in clothes),
- very severe, persistent itching of the skin, annoying to the point that it can cause sleep problems, irritability and trouble concentrating,
- Reddened and dry “patches” on the skin resembling impetigo, which are very itchy and look unsightly, and scratching them leaves marks called lichens,
- Rough, red and “varnished” cheeks in young children and infants,
- characteristic skin lesions that are located in the flexures of the extremities, on the backs of the hands, feet and behind the ears.
The presence of at least some of the symptoms presented indicates AD in children. The type and location of lesions on the skin depends on the severity of the inflammatory process (chronic or acute phase) and the age of the child. Depending on age, three phases can be distinguished:
- The first – appears in infancy and lasts until the age of two;
- The second – can develop from the first phase or become active between the ages of three and twelve;
- The third – occurs in adolescence and can cover a large area of the body.
AD in children – causes
What causes atopic dermatitis in children? There are several causes of the disease. First of all, it has a genetic basis affecting the structure of the epidermis and the functioning of the immune system. Also important are the nervous system (e.g. severe stress causing a relapse or aggravation of symptoms of the disease) and the endocrine system. In addition, atopic dermatitis can be influenced by hygiene and… too sterile lifestyle, which lead to the elimination of bacteria and microorganisms from the environment, as a result of which the body’s immune system overreacts to various environmental factors.
Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in young children
If you notice the presence of the disease symptoms indicated above in your child, you should visit a dermatologist. The specialist doctor should diagnose AD based on a professionally conducted history, clinical picture and tests. Positive skin spot tests and increased serum IgE levels are evidence of AD.
How to treat AD?
Atopic dermatitis is a disease that can and, above all, should be treated. This is because skin lesions occurring in a toddler are not only visually unsightly, but above all very annoying. They cause great discomfort, and can also lead to complications and exacerbations. To effectively treat the disease, it is necessary to:
- eliminate allergens from your child’s diet and environment,
- Use antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs,
- properly nurture the child’s skin with emollients, i.e. special creams, bath emulsions and ointments, which are designed for the care of atopic skin. Their task is to effectively, yet gently moisturize and lubricate, as well as relieve pruritic complaints,
- use phototherapy, i.e. irradiation with ultraviolet rays (in more severe cases), or desensitization, so-called specific immunotherapy.
It is worth choosing specialized care products, such as Flexiderm cream with a concentrated formula or Nigellum AD cream. It has regenerative, soothing, moisturizing, lubricating and anti-itching effects. It contains an extremely effective silymarin-phospholipid complex, so it effectively supports AD therapy. It is hypoallergenic, contains no artificial fragrances and dyes. It is suitable for use on children as young as three years old. It is also forbidden to scratch the skin, an action that damages it, as a result of which bacterial infections can occur and, as a result, the inflammation will get even worse and the symptoms will worsen. It is also important to know that the more severe the course of AD, unfortunately, the greater the likelihood of other forms of allergy in the child (such as bronchial asthma).
Also check: remedies for skin problems
What for AD in children? The right herbs
Atopic dermatitis should be treated with prescribed remedies, however, herbal preparations can also be given additional support. Although these are mild specifics, a doctor should always be consulted before administering them to a child. A plant raw material with a potentially therapeutic effect is black cumin seed oil. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects. It shows soothing effects on such allergic diseases as skin eczema, bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. It also assists in leveling hay fever. It is best to use the oil in airtight capsules, which best protect its quality. Flaxseed oil is another one worth using for AD in children. Its regular consumption improves skin regeneration and proper functioning of sebaceous glands. In addition, this oil is extremely healthy. It’s also good to apply argan oil to the skin, which works to help the skin repair process and effectively relieve itching. Other herbs and plant specifics for AD include propolis, which can be added in small amounts to a meal, as well as bay leaf, which can be used to make a special infusion and then taken after eating. Aloe vera, which has fungicidal properties and is at the same time soothing and calming, can also be helpful. The juice of its leaves has an analgesic effect, inhibiting inflammatory processes and accelerating wound healing. In the case of AD, calendula can also help, supporting the immunity of the human body, whose antibiotic effect is even compared to the properties of penicillin.
You can also use burdock leaves, which have the effect of strengthening the skin and promoting the regeneration of its cells. A suitable lotion with echinacea juice or dandelion known for its sizable allantonin content, which will work well in rebuilding damaged skin layers, may also bring relief. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the right angelica. The extract of this plant used in creams or masks shows regenerative properties. In turn, the rich composition of borage (flavonoids, tannins, mucilaginous compounds, organic acids and many other valuable substances) makes this plant help soothe any skin lesions. In addition, it is also worth supplementing the diet with such herbal preparations that will make it difficult for antigens to penetrate the intestinal barrier. In such a case, chamomile basket, fennel fruit or plantain leaves will work well, among others. An infusion of such a mixture of herbs will help inhibit inflammation taking place within the intestines, improve digestion and generally improve the proper functioning of the digestive system. So, as you can see, the plants and herbs that show beneficial effects in the case of atopic dermatitis are quite numerous. Their proper selection and adjustment to the ailments present in a particular child will certainly bring great relief.
Home remedies for AD in children
In addition to emollients and supporting yourself with appropriate herbal preparations, you can use other home remedies that will safely help fight AD and relieve the symptoms of the disease. First of all, cooling gel compresses can be used, applying them to the skin when symptoms increase. It is also important to regularly wash the skin with water, preferably chlorine-free. You can also take several-minute baths in slightly warm water with special bath oils for allergy sufferers. After getting out of the bath, the body should be gently wiped with a soft towel. In addition, it is a good idea to spray the irritated skin with thermal water, which will bring soothing relief from itching. Importantly, in the case of AD in children, it is also a good idea to avoid dressing your kids in outfits made of irritating materials, such as wool. Ideally, they should be created from natural and delicate fabrics, such as organic cotton or airy linen. The clothes themselves, on the other hand, should be washed in gentle, hypoallergenic agents, preferably soap flakes, special milks or gels for washing infant clothes, or washing nuts (if the child is not specifically allergic to this allergen). It is also good to ensure that the air in the house is properly humidified.
This is because dry air aggravates allergic changes and thus worsens the well-being of the toddler. It is also important that the child’s body itself is always properly hydrated. This is because a dehydrated body is characterized by deterioration of the skin and greater susceptibility to dryness and sensitization. In addition, scientific studies have shown that stress can significantly worsen disease symptoms. This is why it is so important to avoid it. Adequate sleep and relaxation are therefore fundamental to daily life. The fight against atopic dermatitis is not easy, but certainly winnable. The use of medications and remedies prescribed by a specialist, as well as additional support with appropriate home remedies and herbs will help fight the disease, relieve pain and itching and burning of the skin.
