Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition. A person with this condition has skin that becomes extremely itchy. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking, “weeping” clear fluid, crusting and scaling. Often, the skin gets worse (flares), and then it improves or clears up (remissions). Atopic dermatitis is the most common kind of eczema, a term that describes many kinds of skin problems.

Who gets atopic dermatitis?

It is most common in babies and children, but it can happen to anyone. People who live in cities and dry climates may be more likely to get this condition. You can’t “catch” it or give it to other people.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:

• Dry and itchy skin
• Rashes on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees and on the hands and feet

Scratching the skin can cause:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Cracking
• “Weeping” clear fluid
• Crusting
• Thick skin
• Scaling

What causes it?

No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis. It is probably passed down from your parents (genetics). Your environment can also trigger symptoms. Stress can make the condition worse, but it does not cause the condition.

Is there a test for it?

Currently, there is no single test to diagnose atopic dermatitis, but your doctor may ask you about your medical history, including your family history of allergies, and whether you have hay fever or asthma. Also, exposure to irritants, including:

• Wool or synthetic fibers
• Soaps and detergents
• Some perfumes and cosmetics
• Substances such as chlorine, mineral oil, or solvents
• Dust or sand
• Cigarette smoke

Additionally, the doctor will ask you about:

• Sleep problems
• Foods that seem to be related to skin flares
• Previous treatments for skin-related symptoms
• Use of steroids or other medications

How is it treated?

The goals in treating atopic dermatitis are to heal the skin and prevent flares. You should watch for changes in the skin to find out what treatments help the most. These can include:

• Skin creams or ointments that control swelling and lower allergic reactions
• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics to treat infections caused by bacteria
• Antihistamines that make people sleepy to help stop nighttime scratching
• Drugs that suppress the immune system

The doctor may also recommend:

• Light therapy
• Skin care that helps heal the skin and keep it healthy
• Avoiding things that cause an allergic reaction

Living with atopic dermatitis

Besides medications, there are a number of things you can do to help control your atopic dermatitis. Skin care is most important, including:

• Taking lukewarm baths to cleanse and moisturize the skin without drying it out
• Using mild bar soap or nonsoap cleanser
• Gently patting the skin dry after bathing
• Applying a moisturizer to seal in the water after bathing
• Using creams and ointments — and avoid lotions with high water or alcohol content
• Protecting the skin from rough clothing, such as wool or man-made fibers

Stay away from things you are — or can be — allergic to, such as:

• Dust mites
• Molds
• Pollen
• Cat or dog dander
• Some perfumes and makeup
• Certain foods such as eggs, peanuts, milk, fish, soy products, or wheat

Above all, prevent scratching or rubbing, which irritates the skin, increases swelling, and actually increases itchiness. Keep your child’s fingernails short to help reduce scratching.

If you exhibit any of the above symptoms, make sure to get your skin checked out by a professional. Schedule an appointment with DeSilva Dermatology today.

The post Atopic Dermatitis FAQ appeared first on San Antonio & Boerne Dermatologist.

Why does this happen? There are many possible causes:

1. Varying hormone levels can lead to breakouts in adult women, especially during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy and even menopause.
2. Stress is also a culprit. When you’re under stress, your body produces hormones that increase the oiliness in your skin, leading to clogged pores and acne.
3. You could be causing breakouts yourself by using the wrong types of shampoos, lotions, cleansers, etc. Look carefully at the labels on all the personal products you use. If you’re frequently experiencing breakouts, make sure they’re marked “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic.”
4. Medications can also trigger acne. If you start taking a new prescription and you suffer a breakout shortly thereafter, check with your doctor to see if acne is one of the known side effects — and if the medication can be switched. Conversely, an undiagnosed medical condition can likewise cause an outbreak.
5. Sometimes heredity itself is the culprit. If you have family members who are susceptible to acne, you are more likely to get it as well.

Besides being unsightly and embarrassing, acne can also cause infections and lead to permanent scarring. And treatments formulated for teenage acne may not work for adults — in fact, they may make it worse. That’s why it’s advisable to consult with a professional dermatologist.

“With so many great options available to us these days, there is no reason why anyone should be suffering with acne and the resulting scarring it can produce,” said Dr. Thushan DeSilva.

DeSilva Dermatology in Boerne, Texas, has the experience and commitment to excellence to handle all of your dermatological concerns. If you’re suffering from repeated bouts of acne, schedule an appointment today.

The post What Causes Adult Acne? appeared first on San Antonio & Boerne Dermatologist.

As the years go by, your skin type may change, but there are always methods you can use to combat these effects. Check out this list and see where your skin type fits right now…

LET’S BEGIN

Take a close look at your skin. If it seems just right, not too dry or oily, with minimal flaws and an overall radiant glow, you have what can be considered normal skin. However, there are many more people with other skin types that need special care, including:

OILY SKIN

Oily skin is characterized by a dull or shiny complexion, large pores and blackheads or pimples (as a result of the buildup of dirt in the pores). Neglecting this condition will only make matters worse, leading to infections and even permanent scarring.

DRY SKIN

The polar opposite of oily skin, dry skin tends to have smaller pores, a rough complexion and red patches. Facial lines become more apparent, and such irritations as flaking and redness can occur. Those with chronic dry skin tend to look older that they need to.

SENSITIVE SKIN

This skin type is most likely to react to the environment. Sun exposure, lack of hydration and smoking can cause flare-ups in those with sensitive skin types. Symptoms include itching, dryness, redness and a burning sensation. Scarring and premature aging are just two of the potential symptoms of sensitive skin.

COMBINATION SKIN

If your skin seems perfectly normal in some areas, yet it appears dry or excessively oily in others, you have what’s known as combination skin. Many people do. It can be characterized by larger pores, blackheads and excessive shininess. Using the same cleansers and moisturizers on every skin area can make matters worse — the dry spots get dryer and the oily areas get oilier.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR SKIN LOOKING ITS BEST

• Use sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

UV rays damage the skin and make it age faster. They also put you at risk of contracting skin cancers such as melanoma.

• Use dermatologist-recommended cleansers and conditioners that are appropriate for your skin type.

If you care about your skin, don’t just grab any over-the-counter soap or lotion. Consult your dermatologist for expert advice.

• Remove your makeup before bedtime.

Makeup clogs your pores and inhibits your skin’s ability to breathe. If you sleep in makeup, you’ll continually grind it into your pores, resulting in irritation, breakouts and more.

• Keep your skin moisturized.

Keep in mind that your skin is an organ, and it needs to be respected as such. Moisturizing wards off aging and helps to prevent diseases such as eczema. It also helps your skin to rebuild itself – which it does so normally — to give you that healthy glow.

DeSilva Dermatology in Boerne, Texas, has the experience and commitment to excellence to handle all of your dermatological concerns. Since 2000, Dr. Thushan DeSilva has been providing the Alamo City and Boerne with the finest skin care, both medical and cosmetic. Schedule an appointment now and let DeSilva Dermotology take care of all of your skin care needs.

Dr. DeSilva says, “The single most important thing you can do for your skin is to use sunscreen with SPF of 30 or more with zinc oxide. And don’t forget to reapply!”

The post Do You Know Your Skin Type? appeared first on San Antonio & Boerne Dermatologist.