Three Misconceptions About Atopic Dermatitis Explained Properly by Jangseungbaegi Dermatology.

Today, I’d like to talk about atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that many people know about but that is surrounded by many misconceptions.

Atopic dermatitis has become as familiar a word as the common cold.

Especially in this age of information, there is an abundance of information about atopic dermatitis.

If you type only “atopic dermatitis” into a search engine, thousands of articles and countless videos appear.

Of course, some of them are helpful, but there are also quite a few that contain incorrect information.

And if you begin managing the condition based on inaccurate information, the symptoms may not improve and can even worsen and become chronic.

In severe cases, there may be oozing, and it can also lead to secondary inflammatory reactions caused by outside bacteria entering the skin.

That is why, rather than relying only on incorrect information, it is advisable to gather various sources of information and establish a treatment and care plan that fits your own condition.

Today, at Jangseungbaegi Dermatology, we would like to look at some of the misinformation related to atopic dermatitis and explain the proper treatment methods.

• Today’s column outline -

1. Is it good to wash frequently if you have atopic dermatitis?
2. Will applying salt to atopic dermatitis help?
3. Isn’t it dangerous to use steroid ointment for atopic dermatitis?

Is frequent washing really good for atopic dermatitis?

People with atopic dermatitis often try to maintain cleanliness by showering frequently.

Of course, showering can help remove impurities that have built up on the skin.

However, for skin with atopic dermatitis, washing too often can sometimes do more harm than good.

Our skin has a skin barrier that protects the body from the outside world.

Among its components, the lipid layer plays a role in preventing moisture from escaping the skin and blocking dust, bacteria, and irritating substances from penetrating inward.

But if you shower too often, this lipid layer can be damaged, which may weaken the skin barrier.

And if you shower with hot water, as the skin cools afterward, sudden itching may come on.

That is why it is better to shower once a day, briefly and lightly, and to keep the water temperature lukewarm.

It can also help to use a mildly acidic cleanser that does not cause significant damage to the skin barrier.

Would applying salt to the affected area help improve the symptoms?

The saying that “applying salt helps atopic dermatitis” is a very common rumor among people with atopic dermatitis.

However, this can be considered incorrect information.

First, the skin affected by atopic dermatitis usually has a rough surface, areas of peeling, and becomes easily sensitive to even small irritations.

So if you apply salt to it, burning, pain, and even more severe itching may occur.

In severe cases, it may ooze and develop wounds, which can even lead to a secondary bacterial infection.

In simple terms, you can think of it as a vicious cycle of inflammation.

This can also lengthen the time needed for treatment.

Therefore, you should definitely refrain from applying salt to the affected area, and we recommend visiting a clinic and receiving help from medical professionals.

How should atopic dermatitis be treated?

If there is one medication widely used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, it is probably steroid ointment.

Steroid ointment plays a role in controlling the skin’s immune and inflammatory responses that cause atopic dermatitis.

Therefore, when a steroid medication with this function is applied to the affected area, it can help reduce red rashes and severe itching.

However, when many people hear the word “steroid,” they feel some degree of concern.

When they hear things like,

“it makes the skin thin,”

“once you use it, you have to use it for the rest of your life,”

anyone would naturally feel anxious.

Of course, if a high-potency steroid ointment is used excessively, it can affect the skin in many ways and increase the risk of various side effects.

But if steroid ointment is used correctly, more stable results can be expected.

In particular, steroid ointments are divided into various types from class 1 to class 7 depending on their strength, so it is advisable to use a medication with the strength suited to your condition.

And rather than applying too much, it may help to apply about one fingertip unit of ointment.

(*Lesion size: based on two palm-sized areas)

Atopic dermatitis is not simply a condition that makes the skin itchy.

Behind that itching are countless sleepless nights, small everyday discomforts, and the loneliness of wondering, “Why is this happening only to me?”

And even things that others might simply pass by, like dust, air, and changes in temperature, can become major factors that disrupt the day for people with atopic dermatitis.

Not only that, but they may become sensitive to each and every symptom that appears on the skin and inevitably more sensitive to the gaze of others.

In short, you can understand it as something that can shake up an entire life.

That is why, if you have atopic dermatitis, rather than trying to manage it on your own using the wrong methods, it is better to visit a clinic and receive help from medical professionals.

This concludes Jangseungbaegi Dermatology’s column.

Thank you for reading Jangseungbaegi Dermatology’s post to the end.

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