Atopic Dermatitis: Maintaining the Skin Barrier
ByWendy C. Fries
WebMD Feature
Reviewed byStephanie S. Gardner, MD
Sometimes called the itch that rashes, atopic dermatitis (AD) can be a frustrating condition for the people it affects.
Also sometimes called eczema, AD’s most common symptoms are itching — often intense, especially at night — inflammation, dry skin, and rash.
Fortunately there are ways to relieve the irritation. WebMD talked to dermatologists and got their top tips for soothing atopic dermatitis symptoms, and for maintaining the first line of defense — your skin.
Atopic Dermatitis Facts
Think of atopic dermatitis as a skin allergy, one where the skin’s barrier is weak or damaged from environmental or genetic factors.
Children are most likely to be troubled by AD. Atopic dermatitis “is very much a pediatric disease,” says Amy S. Paller, MD, department of dermatology chair at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. As many as one in 10 children are affected. Fortunately most kids outgrow AD, though there is a risk of recurrence in adolescence or adulthood.
There isn’t one test that can check for AD. Diagnosing atopic dermatitis generally involves a doctor’s examination of symptoms, as well as questions about allergies, stress, and exposure to irritants.
Atopic Dermatitis: Tips for Home Care
Maintaining your skin’s barrier is key to coping with atopic dermatitis, so first things first:
- Learn about AD,says California dermatologist Wendy. E. Roberts, MD. Once you’ve been diagnosed, understanding what AD is and what’s causing yours can help you more effectively tackle symptoms. “The skin barrier is about the skin meeting the environment, and everyone’s environment is different. That’s why knowledge is so important.”
- Soothe with a lukewarm wash.Hot water may feel good on itchy skin, but it also strips the skin barrier of necessary oils, drying it out, which leads to more irritation and itch. So avoid steamy showers and baths and opt for a short (5-10 minute) lukewarm wash. “If the steam is building up on the mirror, then the water is too hot and too drying,” says Wisconsin dermatologist Kevin Belasco, DO, who also suggests people consider not showering or bathing every day, to reduce the risk of drying out skin. When you do bathe, be sure to pat skin dry, don’t rub.
- Avoid harsh soaps.The last thing you want to do is aggravate already troubled skin, so when you wash, steer clear of foaming, deodorant, scented, or antibacterial soaps, cleansers, or bubble baths. All of these can contain additives that irritate or strip away fats that help form your skin’s much-needed barrier. If you’ve got AD, you definitely don’t want to be squeaky clean, says Roberts, “that means you’ve stripped the oils from your skin, which can make AD flare.”
- Moisturize well. Moisturization is critical for relieving AD symptoms, but some moisturizers are better at that than others. Those mostly made of water may not help lock in moisture the best, so look for oil-based moisturizer instead, suggests Paller. Ointments usually contain the most oils, followed by creams, with lotions containing the most water. To get the full benefit from your emollient, moisturize right after bathing. To really help lock in moisture, and in addition to moisturizers, Belasco suggests using prescription barrier creams like Atopiclair, EpiCeram, or Hylatopic Plus. These not only help skin stay hydrated, even rebuild it, they may also reduce symptoms like itching and burning.
- Manage the itch.You can also help control itching with topical or other anti-itch medication, suggests Florida dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, author of The Skin Type Solution. Be sure to talk to your doctor about which medication is best for your skin.
- Watch for infection.Many people with atopic dermatitis tend to get secondary bacterial infections, particularly staph infections, Belasco tells WebMD. Even those with mild AD can get a severe infection, so be alert for the signs, which may include: redness, either as red scaly patches, or streaks; honey-colored crusting; blisters filled with clear fluid, sometimes surrounded by red halos; swelling or inflammation; and fever.
- Dilute bleach bathscan help prevent infections and relieve atopic dermatitis symptoms, say the experts. “We advise families to fill a standard tub halfway with water, then add a quarter cup of bleach,” Paller says, who suggests twice-weekly baths, more often for those with moderate or severe AD. Some dermatologists suggest rinsing the bleach water off afterward, others do not; experiment to find out which works best. Bleach can be caustic, so talk to your dermatologist before trying dilute bleach baths suggests the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Dress for success.Wool and synthetic fibers can inflame already irritated skin, so opt for cotton clothes, and keep things loose to avoid the irritation sweating can cause.
- When to See Your Doctor
- Before trying some therapies, like bleach baths or over-the-counter barrier creams, get your physician’s advice. Some products may contain additives that can end up irritating skin even more.
- And always talk to your doctor if you notice signs of infection or have any questions about AD, your symptoms, or treatments.
Link: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/atopic-dermatitis?page=2
Light Plus Suction Promising for Acne
But More Study Is Needed, Expert Says
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
April 12, 2007 — A novel approach to treating acne, which combines light therapy with skin suction, shows promise in an early trial.
In the small study, 15 patients with severe acneexperienced significant improvements in their acne lesions after as few as two to three weekly treatments, researchers say.
Study researcher Gilly Munavalli, MD, is slated to report the findings Friday at the 27th Annual Conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) in Grapevine, Texas.
Known as photopneumatic therapy (PPX), the new approach combines pulsed light treatment with skin suctioning using a vacuum device. Munavalli tells WebMD that the suctioning helps clean clogged pores and intensifies the effects of the light treatment by bringing oil glands closer to the skin’s surface.
“The suction really unclogs the pores, which allows the oil to flow more normally to the surface,” he says. “The light helps kill the bacteria that cause acne.”
Atopic Dermatitis: Maintaining the Skin Barrier
ByWendy C. Fries
WebMD Feature
Reviewed byStephanie S. Gardner, MD
Sometimes called the itch that rashes, atopic dermatitis (AD) can be a frustrating condition for the people it affects.
Also sometimes called eczema, AD’s most common symptoms are itching — often intense, especially at night — inflammation, dry skin, and rash.
Fortunately there are ways to relieve the irritation. WebMD talked to dermatologists and got their top tips for soothing atopic dermatitis symptoms, and for maintaining the first line of defense — your skin.
Atopic Dermatitis Facts
Think of atopic dermatitis as a skin allergy, one where the skin’s barrier is weak or damaged from environmental or genetic factors.
Children are most likely to be troubled by AD. Atopic dermatitis “is very much a pediatric disease,” says Amy S. Paller, MD, department of dermatology chair at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. As many as one in 10 children are affected. Fortunately most kids outgrow AD, though there is a risk of recurrence in adolescence or adulthood.
There isn’t one test that can check for AD. Diagnosing atopic dermatitis generally involves a doctor’s examination of symptoms, as well as questions about allergies, stress, and exposure to irritants.
Atopic Dermatitis: Tips for Home Care
Maintaining your skin’s barrier is key to coping with atopic dermatitis, so first things first:
- Learn about AD,says California dermatologist Wendy. E. Roberts, MD. Once you’ve been diagnosed, understanding what AD is and what’s causing yours can help you more effectively tackle symptoms. “The skin barrier is about the skin meeting the environment, and everyone’s environment is different. That’s why knowledge is so important.”
- Soothe with a lukewarm wash.Hot water may feel good on itchy skin, but it also strips the skin barrier of necessary oils, drying it out, which leads to more irritation and itch. So avoid steamy showers and baths and opt for a short (5-10 minute) lukewarm wash. “If the steam is building up on the mirror, then the water is too hot and too drying,” says Wisconsin dermatologist Kevin Belasco, DO, who also suggests people consider not showering or bathing every day, to reduce the risk of drying out skin. When you do bathe, be sure to pat skin dry, don’t rub.
- Avoid harsh soaps.The last thing you want to do is aggravate already troubled skin, so when you wash, steer clear of foaming, deodorant, scented, or antibacterial soaps, cleansers, or bubble baths. All of these can contain additives that irritate or strip away fats that help form your skin’s much-needed barrier. If you’ve got AD, you definitely don’t want to be squeaky clean, says Roberts, “that means you’ve stripped the oils from your skin, which can make AD flare.”
- Moisturize well. Moisturization is critical for relieving AD symptoms, but some moisturizers are better at that than others. Those mostly made of water may not help lock in moisture the best, so look for oil-based moisturizer instead, suggests Paller. Ointments usually contain the most oils, followed by creams, with lotions containing the most water. To get the full benefit from your emollient, moisturize right after bathing. To really help lock in moisture, and in addition to moisturizers, Belasco suggests using prescription barrier creams like Atopiclair, EpiCeram, or Hylatopic Plus. These not only help skin stay hydrated, even rebuild it, they may also reduce symptoms like itching and burning.
- Manage the itch.You can also help control itching with topical or other anti-itch medication, suggests Florida dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, author of The Skin Type Solution. Be sure to talk to your doctor about which medication is best for your skin.
- Watch for infection.Many people with atopic dermatitis tend to get secondary bacterial infections, particularly staph infections, Belasco tells WebMD. Even those with mild AD can get a severe infection, so be alert for the signs, which may include: redness, either as red scaly patches, or streaks; honey-colored crusting; blisters filled with clear fluid, sometimes surrounded by red halos; swelling or inflammation; and fever.
- Dilute bleach bathscan help prevent infections and relieve atopic dermatitis symptoms, say the experts. “We advise families to fill a standard tub halfway with water, then add a quarter cup of bleach,” Paller says, who suggests twice-weekly baths, more often for those with moderate or severe AD. Some dermatologists suggest rinsing the bleach water off afterward, others do not; experiment to find out which works best. Bleach can be caustic, so talk to your dermatologist before trying dilute bleach baths suggests the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Dress for success.Wool and synthetic fibers can inflame already irritated skin, so opt for cotton clothes, and keep things loose to avoid the irritation sweating can cause.
- When to See Your Doctor
- Before trying some therapies, like bleach baths or over-the-counter barrier creams, get your physician’s advice. Some products may contain additives that can end up irritating skin even more.
- And always talk to your doctor if you notice signs of infection or have any questions about AD, your symptoms, or treatments.
Link: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/atopic-dermatitis?page=2
Light Plus Suction Promising for Acne
But More Study Is Needed, Expert Says
BySalynn Boyles
WebMD Health News
Reviewed byLouise Chang, MD
April 12, 2007 — A novel approach to treating acne, which combines light therapy with skin suction, shows promise in an early trial.
In the small study, 15 patients with severe acneexperienced significant improvements in their acne lesions after as few as two to three weekly treatments, researchers say.
Study researcher Gilly Munavalli, MD, is slated to report the findings Friday at the 27th Annual Conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) in Grapevine, Texas.
Known as photopneumatic therapy (PPX), the new approach combines pulsed light treatment with skin suctioning using a vacuum device. Munavalli tells WebMD that the suctioning helps clean clogged pores and intensifies the effects of the light treatment by bringing oil glands closer to the skin’s surface.
“The suction really unclogs the pores, which allows the oil to flow more normally to the surface,” he says. “The light helps kill the bacteria that cause acne.”….