Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated, making it extremely itchy. Scratching leads to:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Cracking
• “Weeping” clear fluid; crusting
• Scaling

In most cases, there are times when the disease is worse, called flares, followed by times when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions.

Atopic dermatitis is a common condition, and anyone can get the disease. However, it usually begins in childhood. Atopic dermatitis cannot be spread from person to person. No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis. Depending on how bad the symptoms are, living with atopic dermatitis can be hard, but treatment can help control symptoms.

Who gets it?

Atopic dermatitis is a common disease, and it usually appears in babies and children. For many, atopic dermatitis goes away before the teenage years. However, some children may continue to have symptoms as teens and adults. Occasionally, the disease first appears during adulthood.

You may have a higher chance of contracting atopic dermatitis if you have a family history of:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Hay fever
• Asthma

In addition, atopic dermatitis is more common in non-Hispanic black children.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching, which can be severe. Other common symptoms include:

• Red to dark brown, dry patches of skin.
• Rashes that that may ooze, weep clear fluid, or bleed when scratched.
• Thickening and hardening of the skin.

The rash can appear anywhere on the body. The symptoms can flare in multiple spots at the same time.

People with atopic dermatitis often have other conditions, such as:

• Asthma and allergies, including food allergies.
• Other skin diseases, such as ichthyosis, which causes dry, thickened skin. Depression or anxiety.
• Sleep loss.

What causes it?

No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis; however, doctors know that changes to the skin can cause it to dry out. This can lead to damage and cause the skin to become inflamed. How the skin protects itself and keeps in moisture may be affected by:

• Changes in genes.
• Problems with the immune system, which can become confused and too active, leading the skin to become inflamed.
• Exposure to certain things in the environment, such as tobacco smoke, skin products and soaps, and certain air pollutants.

Is there a test for it?

To see if you or your child has atopic dermatitis, Dr, Muñoz may ask:

• About your family history of allergies.
• Whether you also have hay fever, asthma, or food allergies.
• About your exposure to soaps, perfume and cosmetics and cigarette smoke
• If you have sleep problems.
• If any foods seem to trigger hives.
• About previous treatments for skin-related symptoms. About use of steroids or other medications.

Dr. Muñoz may also look at your skin and the rash. She may also order blood tests or other lab tests.

How is it treated?

The goals of treating atopic dermatitis include:

• Managing and controlling dry skin
• Stopping more skin from becoming inflamed
• Controlling itching
• Promoting healing
• Preventing infections from itching
• Preventing flares

Living with atopic dermatitis

Living with atopic dermatitis can be hard. Here are some tips to help control atopic dermatitis.

Follow a daily skin care routine to help prevent flares. Skin care can include:

• Taking lukewarm baths to clean the skin without drying it too much.
• Limit baths to once a day.
• Using mild unscented bar soap or non-soap cleanser.
• Patting the skin dry after bathing and not allowing it to get too dry before moisturizing
• (avoid rubbing or brisk drying).
• Using a moisturizer to seal in the water that has been absorbed into the skin during bathing.
• Using cream and ointments and avoiding lotions with high water or alcohol content, which can cause burning.
• Protecting the skin from irritants and rough clothing, such as wool.
• Talk to Dr. Muñoz about potential food allergies.
• Manage stress. Using stress management and relaxation techniques can help lower your stress and decrease the chances of flares.
• Talk to family, friends, health professionals and support groups or organizations for support.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing, which irritates the skin, increases inflammation, and can increase itchiness. Keep fingernails short to help reduce scratching.
• Seek counseling. If you are feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed, or anxious about the condition, seek counseling with a mental health professional.
• Maintain level indoor temperatures. Keep the inside of your home at a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels.
• Get restful sleep. If you or your child is unable to get restful sleep at night because of itching and scratching, talk to your doctor about options to better control the atopic dermatitis.
• Avoid exposure to the smallpox vaccine. Anyone with atopic dermatitis should not receive a smallpox vaccine. Talk to your doctor about your risks before anyone in your household receives the vaccine.

For treatment of atopic dermatitis or other skin conditions, contact us. Telemedicine appointments are also available.

The post Facts About Atopic Dermatitis appeared first on Vista Dermatology.

Also known as acne inversa, hidradentis suppurative is a long-term skin disease that produces inflamed and swollen lumps. “Tunnels” connecting the lumps can also be present. It usually appears under the arms, beneath the breasts and the groin. They can be painful and break open, releasing pus.

What is it caused by?

Although the exact cause isn’t known, it can occur when hair follicles become blocked. It can also be related to hormones, genes and immune system disorders. Smoking and excess weight may also play a part. Women are more likely to develop it than men.

What are the complications of hidradenitis suppurativa?

• Scars and skin changes. When the wounds heal, scars and pits can still remain.
• Limited movement. Especially when the armpits or thighs are involved, both the sores and scar tissue can make moving foreshortened and/or painful.
• Infection. These sores are open wounds and, such such, are susceptible to getting infected.
• Obstruction of lymph nodes. Since the common areas for the disorder contain many lymph nodes, the scar tissue may block draining. This can result in swelling.
• Social embarrassment. Depending on the locations of the sores, the drainage and odor can be embarrassing, making the sufferer reluctant to be seen in public.

When should I see a doctor?

Early detection of hidradenitis suppurativa is critical for treatment. See your doctor if:

• You’re experiencing pain
• It doesn’t improve after a few week
• It returns within weeks of treatment
• It occurs in multiple locations
• It frequently flares up

How is it treated?

Although there is presently no cure for hidradenitis suppurativa, several treatment options are available. Your dermatologist will recommend the right one for you, depending on how severe the condition is.

• In pill or cream form, antibiotics will help to fight infection.
• Corticosteroids are taken in pill form. Your doctor may give you a corticosteroid injection to help reduce pain and swelling.
• Biologics are medicines that are administered as injections or infusions. Prescribed if you have multiple HS wounds or lesions.
• Surgery. You may require surgery if lesions must be drained or removed.

Vista Dermatology’s Dr. Karla Muñoz says, “While it’s not presently curable, there are many treatments to minimize the effects and make you more comfortable.”

If you suspect you have hidradenitis suppurativa, contact us for an appointment.

The post Hidradenitis Suppurativa FAQ appeared first on Vista Dermatology.

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly skin that may feel painful, swollen or hot. If you have psoriasis, you are more likely to acquire other conditions, including:

• Psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and swelling
• Cardiovascular problems, which affect the heart and blood circulation system
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes

Can anyone contract it?

Anyone can develop this skin disease, but it is more common in adults. Certain genes have been linked to psoriasis, so you are more likely to get it if someone else in your family has it. It is not contagious.

Are there different types?

Yes. Here are some examples:

• Plaque psoriasis, which causes patches of skin that are red at the base and covered by silvery scales.
• Guttate psoriasis, which causes small, drop-shaped lesions on your trunk, limbs, and scalp. This type of psoriasis is most often triggered by upper respiratory infections, such as strep throat.
• Pustular psoriasis, which causes pus-filled blisters.
• Inverse psoriasis, which causes smooth, red patches in folds of skin near the genitals, under the breasts or in the armpits. Rubbing and sweating can make this type of psoriasis worse.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis, which causes red and scaly skin over much of your body. This can be a reaction to a bad sunburn or taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids. It can also happen if you have a different type of psoriasis that is not well controlled. This type of psoriasis can be very serious, so if you have it, you should see a doctor immediately.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

It usually causes patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales that itch or feel sore. These patches can show up anywhere on your body, but they usually occur on the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of your feet. They can also show up on your fingernails and toenails, genitals, and inside your mouth. You may find that your skin gets worse for a while, which is called a flare, and then it improves.

What is it caused by?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which means that your body’s immune system — which protects you from diseases — starts overreacting and causing problems. If you have psoriasis, a type of white blood cells called the T cells become so active that they trigger other immune system responses, including swelling and fast turnover of skin cells.

Your skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise slowly to the surface. This is called cell turnover, and it usually takes about a month. If you have psoriasis, though, cell turnover can take only a few days. Your skin cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface, causing your skin to look red and scaly.

Some things may cause a flare, meaning your psoriasis becomes worse for a while, including:

• stress
• infection
• weather changes
• medications
• cuts, scratches or sunburns

Is there a test for psoriasis?

Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. Your doctor may look at a small sample of your skin under a microscope to see if psoriasis is causing your skin condition.

How is it treated?

There are several different types of treatment for psoriasis. We may recommend that you try one of these or a combination of them:

• Topical treatment, which means putting creams on your skin.
• Light therapy, which involves a doctor shining an ultraviolet light on your skin or getting more sunlight. It’s important that a doctor controls the amount of light you are getting from this therapy, because too much ultraviolet light may make your psoriasis worse.
• Systemic treatment, which can include taking prescription medicines or getting shots of medicine.
• Joining a support group may help you to cope with this disease.

How can you live with this condition?

Dr. Muñoz says, “This is an exciting time for people with psoriasis. Several groundbreaking treatments have been developed over the last 5-10 years. Biologics are becoming smarter, more efficacious and better targeted with less side effects.”

For treatment of psoriasis or other skin conditions, contact us. Telemedicine appointments are also available.

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