Dorim-dong Dermatology: Atopic Steroid Ointment Treatment — This Is How It Should Be Done.

Have you ever lain in bed and tossed and turned because you couldn’t stop scratching your body?

In fact, itching is not just a skin issue; it is like a small storm that affects our entire body and mind.

First, if you have itching, you lose sleep, and if you don’t sleep well, you become irritable.

It can even reduce concentration, increase irritability, and cause major disruptions in social life and relationships.

Especially for young children, itching can make them cry all day, and adults may have to endure severe psychological stress because of skin scratched throughout the night.

Moreover, if you keep scratching the skin, wounds can form, and if those wounds become infected, they may lead to noticeable pigmentation, hypertrophic scars, and more.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes persistent itching and is characterized by its enormous impact on both physical and psychological well-being.

It also does not naturally go away over time and can be the cause of various unexpected secondary problems.

For that reason, it is advisable not to take it lightly and to plan treatment as soon as possible.

Today, we would like to share information that may help atopic dermatitis patients at Dorim-dong Dermatology who are unable to sleep because of severe itching.

• Today’s column outline -

1. Causes of atopic dermatitis

2. How to prevent worsening of atopic dermatitis

3. Treatment with steroid ointment for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis: what causes it?

The cause of atopic dermatitis has not been identified as a single, definite factor.

It is widely known as a chronic skin condition that develops through a mix of genetic factors, environmental factors, and immune system responses.

In particular, atopic dermatitis is closely related to family history. If even one parent has atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, or similar conditions, the likelihood that those symptoms may be inherited by children can increase.

In addition, because the skin barrier itself is weak in patients with atopic dermatitis, they may react very sensitively even to house dust mites and pollen.

Not only that, but atopic dermatitis in infancy can also react sensitively to certain foods such as eggs, milk, nuts, and wheat flour.

Finally, stress can also be one of the biggest factors that worsen atopic dermatitis.

When stressed, cortisol levels in the body increase, and as this vicious cycle repeatedly encourages inflammatory skin reactions, even more severe itching and red rashes can appear.

Atopic dermatitis: what happens if it is left untreated?

If well managed, atopic dermatitis can be manageable, but once it begins to worsen, it can become a cause that takes away the peace of everyday life entirely.

Early atopic dermatitis starts with simple itching.

But this itching becomes increasingly persistent, and even while telling yourself not to scratch, you may fall into a painful cycle where your hand moves first.

And from the moment you scratch the skin, the skin begins to cry out, and the affected area may ooze and even develop scaling.

Moreover, this can go beyond physical pain and lead to decreased concentration, delayed growth, avoidance of relationships, feelings of depression, and lower self-esteem.

It can also cause bacterial dermatitis due to secondary infection, or chronic skin thickening, that is, lichenification.

Therefore, to prevent atopic dermatitis symptoms from worsening, it is advisable to provide consistent and systematic care.

First, because atopic skin has a weak barrier and cannot properly retain moisture, it is advisable to apply moisturizer within 3 minutes after showering to protect the skin’s moisture.

And when you scratch the skin, the itching becomes worse, the skin becomes damaged, and inflammation can deepen further.

Therefore, it is advisable to keep your nails short and respond to itching by applying a cool wet towel or adding another layer of moisturizer.

Also, showering and cleansing should be short and gentle.

At this time, avoiding hot water and using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser can help prevent worsening of atopic dermatitis.

Lastly, as mentioned earlier, stress can aggravate various skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, so I recommend relieving accumulated stress through deep breathing, meditation, light exercise, and similar methods.

Can steroid ointment be used for atopic dermatitis treatment?

Atopic dermatitis is a kind of chronic condition in which the skin reacts excessively and becomes inflamed.

And what can help calm that inflammation is steroid ointment.

Steroids help soothe excessive inflammatory reactions in the skin, and through this, they can help reduce the redness and itching caused by atopic dermatitis.

In addition, with continued treatment, you can expect wounds from scratching to heal gradually.

However, if steroid ointment is used too often or for too long, side effects such as thinning of the skin and dilation of capillaries may occur.

Therefore, it is important to use steroid ointment only on the designated area and for the designated period, always following a doctor’s instructions.

In addition, steroid ointments are divided into many different categories depending on their strength, from weak to very strong, so it is advisable to receive a prescription that matches the severity of the symptoms and the extent of the lesions.

Atopic dermatitis is more than just a disease that appears on the skin.

It is a skin condition that disrupts the rhythm of the day, makes it hard to sleep at night, and even makes something as small as choosing clothes feel bothersome.

The appearance of atopic dermatitis symptoms may mean that our body is sending an “SOS signal” saying that it needs help.

Listening to that signal may be the first step in treatment.

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition in which many factors such as genetics, environment, stress, skin structure, and lifestyle all work together.

So after carefully reviewing as many factors as possible, it is advisable to set up a treatment plan that suits you.

And it is important to have the mindset that this needs to be managed long term and to continue treatment consistently.

We hope Dorim-dong Dermatology’s column was helpful for patients with atopic dermatitis.

Thank you for reading Dorim-dong Dermatology’s post to the end.

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