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Back to Dermatology Diseases
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis occurs as an allergic reaction in the skin, the
main mechanism is the production of IgE antibodies against specific
allergens. The antibodies are coated to mast cells, a type of cell
present in epithelial tissues. When the allergen comes into contact with
IgE, the mast cell degranulates and releases histamine and a number of
other compounds that stimulate a local inflammatory reaction. As the
skin and the nasal and conjunctival epithelia are most prone to come
into contact with allergens, this is also the place where allergic
symptoms develop most commonly.
Atopic eczema is caused by general systemic allergic reactions, as
opposed to contact with an irritant. It is very common in people with
related allergic conditions, including asthma or chronic hay fever.
It is presumed that predisposed individuals develop Type 1 allergy
against a number of very abundant allergens, such as the house dust
mite excrement and grass pollen. All allergens are protein-based.
Symptoms and clinical manifestations
The clinical picture is that of eczema. Primary lesions (the disease appearance at the very start) may include
papules, erythematous macules, and vesicles, which can coalesce to form
patches and plaques. In severe eczema, secondary lesions (the disease
appearance later on) from infection or excoriation, marked by weeping
and crusting, may predominate. Long-standing dermatitis is often dry and
is characterized by thickened, scaling skin (lichenification).
Atopic dermatitis is often associated with a personal and/or
family history of allergic diseases such as rhinitis,
urticaria,
and asthma, with positive wheal-and-flare skin reactions to intradermal
injection of extracts of airborne allergens, with increased levels of IgE
in the serum, and/or with a positive response to provocation tests involving
the inhalation of specific allergen.
Treatment
It is important to identify any possible contact allergens. Treatment
of coexistent infection, and application of topical glucocorticoids (preferably
combined with a topical antibiotic) are usually sufficient.
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