IS IT REALLY ATOPIC DERMATITIS?

Welcome to a new entry in our Atopic Dermatitis Blog!

Atopic dermatitis is usually accompanied by redness and itching, but be careful! Is it really atopic dermatitis? There are other conditions that have identical or very similar symptoms to eczema.

Today we invite you to learn about other conditions that are often confused with atopic dermatitis. We want to teach you how to differentiate between them to avoid early misdiagnosis.

Is it atopic dermatitis?

First of all, it is important to remember what atopic dermatitis is and where it comes from:

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, redness and severe itching. It affects both children and adults and usually manifests in childhood, although symptoms can vary over time and in severity.

Atopic dermatitis is a condition in which family history plays an important role. It is caused by a genetic defect that often runs in families.

Although the exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known, it is linked to genetic changes and problems in the immune system, as well as a disruption in the skin’s barrier or protective function.

To find out more about atopic dermatitis, read our first blog post, What is atopic dermatitis and how to recognise it.

SKIN CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE CONFUSED WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

SCABIES

Scabies is a skin infection caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is characterised by intense itching, especially at night, and the appearance of rashes with small blisters and thin lines (tunnels) on the skin. Scabies is spread by direct contact with the skin of an infested person.

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes a rapid build-up of cells on the surface of the skin, forming thick, scaly, silvery plaques. These plaques can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. Itching may be present, but is not always as severe as in atopic dermatitis.

DERMATITIS SABORRHEICUM

Seborrhoeic dermatitis mainly affects areas with many sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face and upper body. It appears as yellow or white, greasy, scaly patches. Itching can be mild to moderate and is more common in people with oily skin.

CONTACT DERMATITIS

Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash that appears on areas of skin that have been in direct contact with an irritant or allergen. The rash usually develops within minutes or hours of contact and may blister.

FUNGAL INFECTION

Fungal skin infections, such as ringworm, can cause scaly rashes, redness and itching. These infections are caused by fungi and usually appear on warm, moist areas of the body. The lesions usually have well-defined borders and may have concentric rings.

Distinguishing eczema from other skin conditions is important for proper treatment. If you suspect you have atopic dermatitis or any other skin condition, you should consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. At Inves Biofarm we are committed to your wellbeing and offer specialist products, such as Dermcontrol, to help you manage your eczema and improve your quality of life.

Thank you for reading us again. We hope this information has been helpful – we want to be your trusted source of information on atopic dermatitis!

INVES BIOFARM TEAM