Dietary Factors
Certain components in foods such as eggs, milk (especially for infants), soy, nuts (like peanuts and walnuts), and shellfish can pose risk factors for triggering atopic dermatitis.
Environmental Factors
Dust, dust mites, pollen, cockroaches, and fragrances are common allergens associated with atopic dermatitis. Dust mites, in particular, feed on human and pet dander, hair, and food residues and thrive in bedding, plush toys, and blankets. They prefer moist and warm environments, making regions with such climates, like Taiwan, ideal for their proliferation. Additionally, dust mite eggs, excrement, and carcasses can also act as allergens.
What Are the Treatment Options for Atopic Dermatitis?
The treatment approaches for atopic dermatitis can generally be divided into oral and topical medications.
Oral Medications
These include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibiotics (to prevent bacterial infections), and oral antihistamines, which help alleviate itching. It is important to note that corticosteroids should not be bought over-the-counter for use on young children without a prescription, as improper use can cause permanent damage. Doctors will prescribe corticosteroid creams of varying strengths based on the severity of the symptoms.
Topical Medications
In addition to common corticosteroid creams, non-steroidal immunomodulators and the latest phototherapy techniques are used.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy involves the use of ultraviolet light to stimulate inflammatory cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts in the dermis to secrete various cytokines. These cytokines regulate inflammatory responses, making phototherapy a beneficial treatment for skin conditions including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis by modulating immune system responses.
Are the Side Effects of Corticosteroids a Concern?
While corticosteroids are effective, they carry potential side effects such as skin thinning, hair growth, vasodilation, and increased susceptibility to infections. However, their therapeutic effects in treating atopic dermatitis are significant. Side effects typically arise from long-term use of topical corticosteroids, particularly at application sites. Areas like the face and skin folds, which absorb drugs more efficiently, are also more prone to these effects. Dermatologists usually avoid using potent corticosteroids in these areas.
How Can Atopic Dermatitis Be Prevented in Daily Life?
To prevent atopic dermatitis, consider the following lifestyle adjustments:
Dietary Aspects
Avoid potential allergenic foods and maintain a balanced diet. Incorporate foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid such as seaweed and carrots, and foods high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) like mackerel and sardines. EPA helps prevent inflammatory chemicals from leaking from cells, while alpha-linolenic acid can be converted into EPA in the body, providing similar benefits. Recent studies also show that probiotics can improve allergy-prone conditions.
Environmental Aspects
Maintain cleanliness to avoid dust accumulation in areas like curtains and carpets, ensure good indoor ventilation and dryness to discourage mite infestation, and avoid keeping pets that shed hair. Bedding should be washed and changed regularly.
Personal Skin Care
Use gentle, soap-free bathing products and apply moisturizers like petroleum jelly immediately after washing. In cold weather, extra moisturizing is necessary to prevent skin dryness. During summer, avoid prolonged sun exposure and intense physical activities to prevent sweat build-up. Wear cotton clothing to avoid irritation from synthetic fibers or wool, and ensure thorough rinsing of clothes to eliminate detergent residues.
Can Drinking More Water Eliminate Allergens from the Body?
Drinking water alone cannot expel allergens from the body. Identifying personal allergens through blood or skin tests and avoiding them is crucial to prevent allergic reactions. Maintaining balanced nutrition, reducing stress, regularizing sleep patterns, and practicing good skin care are the correct ways to promote health.
Can Seawater Treat Atopic Dermatitis?
While the minerals in the thermal springs of countries like France can soothe inflammatory reactions of atopic dermatitis and are even covered by health insurance, seawater varies in composition and has not been extensively studied. Although it contains minerals and trace elements, its high salt content might exacerbate already dry conditions of atopic dermatitis, making it an inappropriate treatment option.
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