Last September 14th, World Atopic Dermatitis Day was commemorated. This disease is characterized by symptoms ranging from dehydrated and itchy skin to painful and itchy rashes that cause sleepless nights and interfere with daily life.
Although it is becoming widely known, there are still many myths and a lack of information. If you suffer from atopic dermatitis or someone in your close circle suffers, you may have heard some of them.
Keep reading to discover the scientific background of some myths related to atopic dermatitis.
How many of these statements have you heard?
1. Atopic dermatitis is contagious.
Atopic dermatitis is not contagious. You cannot get atopic dermatitis or an eczema flare-up from contact with a person with dermatitis.
2. Children with atopic dermatitis outgrow the disease as they get older.
While it is true that atopic dermatitis may go away on its own or clear up before a child turns 18, this is not a guarantee.
There is no way to know if a child’s eczema will disappear or remain. Proper skin care and management can help prevent future flare-ups and relieve symptoms.
3. Having a family history of atopic dermatitis guarantees getting atopic dermatitis.
If one of the parents suffers from atopic dermatitis, there is a risk of developing it. Specific genetic mutations increase this risk, but this is not always true.
4. The triggers of atopic dermatitis are the same for everyone.
The triggers for an outbreak may vary from person to person and have different underlying reasons, such as sensitive skin or prolonged stress. Visit your dermatologist if you need advice about potential triggers.
5. Atopic dermatitis may go away by eliminating the triggers.
Years of research have shown that atopic dermatitis is a multifactorial disease.
It is believed that some foods may be triggers, but the relationship between certain foods and atopic dermatitis remains unclear. Some patients may have underlying food allergies that trigger atopic dermatitis-like flare-ups. Consumption of certain foods may also worsen existing outbreaks.
Eliminating foods from the diet is not a cure for atopic dermatitis. Removing foods from the diet, especially in young children, can be dangerous, as they need nutrients to develop properly.
To alleviate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, your dermatologist can create an individualized treatment plan that includes:
– Skincare
– Control of case-specific triggers
– Medication, if needed
6. It is better to reduce showers and baths to reduce outbreaks.
Because dermatitis causes extreme skin dryness, some people believe they can relieve it by taking fewer baths and showers. Research shows otherwise. Short, daily warm baths and showers help. They remove bacteria and other germs from the skin, which allows control of skin infections common in patients with atopic skin.
Applying an unscented moisturizer to the skin a few minutes after showering helps to maintain moisture and reduce dryness.
At Prospera Biotech, we have been researching for more than 20 years to offer you the best care for your skin. Our new product, Nocisens Oil, helps to reduce the uncomfortable sensations typical of sensitive and atopic-prone skin thanks to its neurodermatological active ingredients.
In addition, its avocado and oat oils nourish and regenerate the different layers of the skin.
Its oil format is designed for the body care of the whole family from three months of age.
If your skin has areas of recurrent irritation or frequent outbreaks, we recommend combining it with Nocisens Intense. Nocisens Intense has a higher concentration of neuromodulating active ingredients and is specially designed for areas prone to irritation.
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Keywords: atopic dermatitis; myths; trigger; skin; children; outbreaks
References
- Living with eczema. Atopic Dermatitis, myths vs. facts. Available at:https://www.livingwitheczema.sg/myths-vs-facts
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview. (Updated 28th November 2022, cited 25th september 2023). Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/atopic-dermatitis