What is Atopic Exzema (or Atopic Dermatitis)?

Atopic Dermatitis usually occurs in childhood (first episode before the age of five years) and is usually an allergic reaction to food and other airborne particles. This could be animal or vegetable proteins from pets, pollen or even food as well dust particles and dust mites. About 8-25 percent of the world’s population suffers from this condition, which is chronic and occurs along with other conditions such as asthma and hay fever. Atopic means atypical or strange and is seen in patients who have a family history of asthma or hay fever. Sufferers of Atopic Exzema may also have one or more of the above listed conditions.

People who suffer from Atopic Exzema have an immune system that is extremely sensitive and have exaggerated reactions to these foreign agents. Atopic Exzema fluctuates in severity and flare-ups can happen at any time without much warning. The constant itching may interfere with sleep, leading to daytime fatigue forcing the patient to take time off work. It mainly affects the hands, neck and face, including the eyelids. 

Patients with Atopic Exzema may exhibit different symptoms and may develop the reaction due to different external agents. Scientists have isolated about 20 different genes that play a role in Atopic Exzema. What is fascinating to observe is that the same agent may produce no reaction in a normal person but produce a very severe allergy in a person with Atopic exzema. For example all of us inhale dust particles, but in some people their bodies produce an over reaction when exposed to dust or pollen or even heat and cold. Some people start sneezing uncontrollably, when exposed to dust or pollen the others may not have any reaction. Even the severity of the response can vary from one individual to the other. 

Since there is a specific genetic role in most allergies, these conditions are usually inherited. So if you have Atopic exzema, chances are very high that others in your family also have some allergic condition like asthma and hay fever. Atopic Exzema is the most sever and chronic (long-lasting) kind of Exzema. Atopic exzema mostly begins in childhood, more specifically in infancy. 

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