Useful tips to manage atopic dermatitis

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.

Atopic dermatitis often starts in early childhood, around three months of age, and tends to run in atopic families.

Possible causes of atopic dermatitis include:

- Food allergy, which plays an important role in children under one year but not in adults

- Cow’s milk, hen’s eggs and peanuts are the foods most likely to exacerbate infantile eczema

- House dust mites tend to aggravate eczema in older children and adults

- Pet dander exposure, such as to cats, dogs and other furry animals, may play a role

- Certain bacteria may cause sudden, severe outbreaks of eczema

Tips to manage atopic dermatitis

If you have atopic eczema you may find the following useful:

- Take lukewarm baths with emollients, but don’t stay in the water too long

- Pat the skin dry with a towel – never rub eczematous skin dry

- Avoid soap, detergents and shampoo – use aqueous cream instead of soap

- Wear cotton fabrics next to your skin – avoid wool and polyester

- Wear loose rather than tight-fitting clothes

- Clip your fingernails and don’t scratch or rub your skin

- Avoid sports that make you sweat a lot

And, try to stay calm and relaxed because stress can make eczema worse.