A doctor should always be consulted if you believe that you or a friend/relative has dermatitis.

Atopic Dermatitis (eczema)

Atopic dermatitis is commonly known as eczema. It is one of the most common skin conditions, particularly in children. The precise cause of eczema is still unknown, although it is associated with other conditions such as asthma.

Itching and red skin are very common with eczema.  This can be distressing for patients and also their families.  In particular, young children tend to repeatedly scratch the skin. This may make the skin condition worse and can also cause interrupted sleep. Overall, eczema interferes with patients, parents and carers’ quality of life.

Eczema often appears for the first time in infancy; about half of all cases are recognised before the age of one.  Eczema may affect between 1-3 in ten of school aged children. It is much less common in adults with less than one in ten adults experiencing eczema at any one time. However it is still the eighth most common disease in people under 25.

Atopiclair may be used by patients with eczema, to control the symptoms such as itching, and to improve the appearance of the skin.

Contact Dermatitis (irritant/allergic dermatitis)

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by substances outside the body that irritate the skin. Common substances that cause reactions (allergens) may include nickel, sodium lauryl sulphate, poison ivy and a large range of other substances.

Contact dermatitis ranges in severity from the worst reaction (“allergic contact dermatitis”) to mild reactions (“irritant contact dermatitis”). As with eczema, the skin changes in appearance and becomes red or scaly, and the skin may also become very itchy.

Specific groups of workers may be more likely to experience contact dermatitis, as they may come into contact with allergens more frequently.   For example people who need to wash their hands frequently have more exposure to detergents – these may include hairdressers or healthcare professionals.

The first step in treatment and prevention of contact dermatitis is to identify what substance is causing the skin reaction, and either avoid contact with that substance or place a barrier between the skin and that substance. While the skin reaction is present however, Atopiclair may be used to improve the contact dermatitis.

Diaper Dermatitis (nappy rash)

Diaper dermatitis is a specific type of contact dermatitis, also known as primary irritant diaper dermatitis, napkin dermatitis, diaper rash, nappy rash. It occurs within the area covered by an infant’s diaper.

Diaper dermatitis is uncomfortable for the infant and may also affect quality of life by interrupting sleep or causing the infant to cry for long periods.