Redness, dry flaky skin, itching and painful cracks. These are the most frequent symptoms of your uninvited guest named atopic eczema. How can you tame it and live as if it (almost) doesn't exist?
Chronic inflammatory skin disease, also known as atopic eczema or dermatitis, can quite literally be a pain. Genetics definitely play an important role here. When two parents with atopic eczema get together, experts say there is a 60-80% chance that their child will have it too. However, a weakened skin barrier or a reaction to environmental pollutants can also contribute to the development of eczema.
Atopic eczema occurs in babies and older children, but sometimes also later in life in adults who have never had eczema before. The main triggers are allergens, stress, unsuitable cosmetics, but it can also be things like changes in the weather.
Atopic dermatitis has two phases: an acute flare-up phase and a subacute phase when skin is calmer and less reactive. "The typical manifestations of eczema are dry skin, itching and vaguely defined, red, scaly patches, which may be confined to specific areas - mainly in the elbow and knee sockets, wrists, legs, torso or face - but can also be all over the body," says Prof. MUDr. Jana Třešňák Hercogová, CSc., MHA, IFAAD.
Sometimes atopic eczema can be mistaken for extremely dry skin. This is, however, always just temporary. All that is needed is diligent hydration. Things are a lot more complicated when it comes to atopic eczema.
Regular and meticulous care of your skin on your body and face is extremely important for people who have atopic eczema. "It would be ideal to limit hot baths. Short, quick lukewarm showers 30–34°C are more appropriate. For washing I recommend shower oils or shower syndets which are an alternative to soap, certainly not perfumed soaps, which can further erode skin," says dermatologist MUDr. Lucie Rajská, Ph.D. from Rajská Clinic.
She believes it is best to moisturise your skin every day within three minutes after showering with a nourishing cream for atopic and eczematous skin.
- Lucie Rajská, dermatologist
Nowadays, dermocosmetics aren't out of reach anymore. On the contrary, you can choose from a wide range of brands as well as products. What will they bring you? Reliable hydration, intensive nutrition and protection against harmful external impacts, mitigation of eczema, relief from itchy skin and healing of cracked skin.
The trustworthy trio we swear by are without doubt the special Avène XeraCalm, Bioderma Atoderm and Uriage Xémose lines for atopic and dry skin.
Generally, look particularly for licochalcone A in the formula. It's a liquorice extract which soothes skin and reduces redness. Also look for ceramides which strengthen the barrier function of your skin, and for natural oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids for soothing, nourishment and protection.
If over-the-counter care isn't enough, seek the help of a dermatologist who will prescribe the right local care. "I am also very happy to recommend regular probiotics use to my patients - it is not for nothing that they say the intestines are our second brain. It's also good to focus on your diet. A patient with atopic eczema can suffer because of certain foods, which is why these should be eliminated from their diet," says dermatologist Lucie Rajská.
A stay by the sea also often has beneficial effects on skin. Salt water, a sunny environment and leaving behind the standard routine of working days have very good effects on skin.
"If atopic eczema doesn't heal after regular cream application, external drugs are used in the treatment - short-term corticosteroids, long-term non-corticoid external drugs, so-called calcineurin inhibitors - or phototherapy. For the most severe forms of atopic eczema, we have available generic drugs - immunosuppressants or modern biological drugs in the form of injections or tablets - these are available in biological treatment centres," advises the head doctor, MUDr. Jana Třešňák Hercogová from Dermatologie prof. Hercogové.
Atopic eczema cannot be cured completely, but if you manage to "put it to sleep", you'll pretty much forget about it. The process of searching for what works can be long and tiresome. It pays not to lose hope though and keep looking for new products to make your life with eczema as easy as possible.