Why You Should Start Treatment for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis in Seoul Right Away

Atopic dermatitis is not just simple dry skin.

It is a chronic skin condition in which severe itching and skin inflammation repeatedly occur.

Scratching an itchy area is an instinctive response, but in atopic dermatitis, this “scratching” can actually become the main cause of worsening symptoms.

Atopic dermatitis is an even harsher condition for young children.

Adults may think, “I just have to endure it,” even when they are itchy, but children cannot do that.

When they feel itchy, they instinctively reach with their hands, and scratching their skin with those small hands can cause even more severe inflammation and wounds.

It can even make the skin turn red, ooze fluid, and trigger even more itching.

In addition, a child may be unable to sleep well at night because of severe itching, and as the skin becomes more sensitive, they may feel stress and anxiety.

Simply put, this can affect a child’s daily life and growth.

That is exactly why early action for pediatric atopic dermatitis is necessary.

Today, we would like to explain in detail the causes, management, and treatment methods for pediatric atopic dermatitis at a Seoul pediatric atopy clinic, so please stay focused from here on.

• Today’s column outline -

1. Causes of pediatric atopic dermatitis
2. How to prevent worsening of pediatric atopic dermatitis
3. Precautions for steroid treatment in pediatric atopic dermatitis

Pediatric atopic dermatitis: why does it happen? Causes that trouble a child’s skin

The biggest factor behind pediatric atopic dermatitis is genetic predisposition.

According to research, when both parents have atopic dermatitis, the child’s likelihood of having it is about 79%, and when only one parent has atopic dermatitis, the child’s likelihood is said to be about 50%.

In other words, if the parents have an atopic tendency, there is a high possibility that the child is born with a weak skin barrier as well.

And because children’s skin is much thinner and more sensitive than adults’ skin, it can be severely affected by various external environments.

In particular, even being exposed to a slightly dry environment can make the skin rough more easily, which can lead to severe itching.

In addition, pediatric atopic dermatitis is characterized by being more affected by eating habits than adult atopic dermatitis.

On top of that, house dust mites hidden in beds, carpets, sofas, and bedding can also become a major cause of worsening pediatric atopic dermatitis.

Pediatric atopic dermatitis: how should it be managed to prevent worsening?

Children with atopic dermatitis have an inherently weak skin barrier, and moisture is lost quickly.

As a result, the skin becomes dry easily and severe itching occurs.

To help prevent this problem, it is good to apply enough moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day to strengthen the skin barrier.

At this time, it is advisable to choose a low-irritation moisturizer without fragrance, colorants, or alcohol, and to use products that contain ingredients that help strengthen the skin barrier.

In addition, as mentioned earlier, pediatric atopic dermatitis is greatly affected by the external environment.

For that reason, it may be advisable to wash bedding once a week in hot water at 60°C or higher.

Using an air purifier to keep indoor air clean can also be helpful.

Lastly, one of the causes of worsening atopic dermatitis is repeated scratching.

Therefore, it is a good idea to keep the child’s nails short to minimize wounds, and when the child complains of severe itching, please apply a cold compress for about 5 to 10 minutes.

What are the precautions for steroid ointment treatment in pediatric atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that can significantly reduce a child’s quality of life.

Therefore, it may be advisable to plan appropriate treatment as early as possible.

The fundamental cause of atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory response in the skin.

Accordingly, it may be advisable to soothe the skin by suppressing this inflammatory response with steroid ointment.

However, many parents may think, “Isn’t steroid ointment dangerous because it is a strong medicine?”

Steroid ointments are divided into a total of 7 levels according to their potency, and there are also low-concentration ointments developed specifically for children.

Therefore, if you use a mild-strength ointment suited to the child’s condition, a more stable approach may be possible, so you do not need to feel overly burdened about steroid ointment treatment.

However, even the best medicine can cause side effects if used excessively, so it is best to use the ointment according to the medical staff’s instructions.

Also, if steroid ointment is stopped suddenly, rebound worsening, namely steroid rebound symptoms, may occur, so when stopping treatment, please taper off the medication gradually.

When managing pediatric atopic dermatitis, the most important thing is to “protect the child’s skin and minimize inflammation.”

To do this, moisturizing, environmental management, proper treatment methods, and dietary control are essential.

Also, even if there is no noticeable immediate effect, do not rush; steadily work to restore the skin barrier step by step.

In addition, parents should continually check the child’s skin condition and maintain psychological stability so the child does not become stressed.

Please remember that a child’s skin health begins with the parents’ consistent attention and effort.

We hope this column from the Seoul pediatric atopy clinic has been helpful.

Thank you for reading the Seoul pediatric atopy clinic’s post to the end.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 through 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry the risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, please be sure to have a 충분한 consultation with experienced medical staff before making a decision. |