Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, a relapsing eczematous condition, is seen more commonly in infants and children. It is one of the most common types of eczema. Atopy translates to meaning “abnormal hypersensitivity”. It primarily occurs because of an overactive immune system. These changes in the immune system lead to inflammation of the skin, causing it to become dry and itchy with changes in skin colour. In atopic dermatitis, the protein filaggrin, which is responsible for maintaining the skin barrier, is affected because of genetic mutation, leading to a break in the skin barrier, thus predisposing these individuals to become itchy, and dry and vulnerable to infections. Note that ~50% of patients develop this condition by the first year of life and another 30% develop it within 1–5 years. Initially, it was considered that these children would outgrow this eczema by adolescence; however, because of changes in our lifestyle, atopic dermatitis is seen in adults.
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