Atopic dermatitis and eczema are skin conditions that are often confused with the same disease. However, according to Elena Fedenko, an allergist, professor, head of the department of skin allergy and immunopathology, the Russian Federal Medical and Biological Agency FGBI “SSC Institute of Immunology”, these pathologies have a completely different nature.
“These are completely different diseases, dermatologists only deal with eczema. And eczema has nothing to do with atopic dermatitis and allergies, ”said Fedenko.
Atopic dermatitis is a genetically determined disease called allergic skin diseases. It is characterized by the spread of the lesion over the entire surface of the skin, weeping, a chronic recurrent course and rashes, often of a severe nature, due to infection; patients experience very severe itching, their sleep is interrupted, their ability to work is often lost, the disease significantly worsens their quality of life.
In addition to eczema, dermatitis is also confused with the so-called “itch”. But the diagnosis is not difficult for an experienced doctor.
“The pruritic (nodular) form of atopic dermatitis can sometimes be confused with nodular pruritus, but a specialist will distinguish it,” Fedenko said.
Find out more about what diseases accompany atopic dermatitis, what tests are not required by people with this disease, and how they are currently treated – in material “socialbites.ca”.