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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, skin.

Commonly called “asthma of the skin,” AD is very common in children at five years old but can occur at any age, Jean Marquez, M.D., a Quezon City-based board-certified dermatologist tells viewers of Pinoy MD.

“Napakahirap pong magkaroon ng atopic dermatitis kasi hindi po siya simpleng sakit kung kaya maganda na pag-aralan talaga kung ano ito,” she says.

Atopic dermatitis is any skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an irritating substance. It is long-lasting, tends to flare periodically, and may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

Symptoms of AD include dry skin, itching, red or brownish-gray patches that appear on your hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, and inside the crooks of your elbows and knees.

“Ang iba pang common characteristics pa ng atopic dermatitis ay ang panginigtim ng paligid ng mata, Dennie-Morgan fold, chicken skin, at pityriasis alba or slight scaling na akala mo ay anan,” Dr. Marquez says.

“Minsan po nagtutubig ito at sobrang kati po niya kung kaya pag na-diagnose ang isang atopic dermatitis, dapat paulit-ulit ang treatment kasi sobrang kati sa same area.”

When left untreated, this can lead to further skin infections which is why anyone suffering from AD should be under dermatologists care.

One of the many symptoms of atopic dermatitis is itchiness / Source: goffkein for Freepik.com

There are no exact causes of atopic dermatitis but researchers have found that it's closely linked to families with a history of the condition, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

Dr. Marquez explains, “Ang sinasabi nga nila, kung may asthma of the skin, allergic rhinitis, o asthma ka, you have more chances of developing it at mas namamana ito sa mga nanay."

When it comes to treatment, it depends on how severe the atopic dermatitis is. Generally, dermatologists center around increasing the skin's moisture and calming the inflammation brought by itchiness.

Dr. Marquez concludes, “'Pag naggagamot po tayo ng atopic dermatitis kailangan i-seal 'yung area na 'yan at ma-control ang levels ng pH.

“Kasi kadalasan ang patients nagrereklamo kasi ang daming ginagawa at maraming creams na pinapahid. Pero kailangan tandaan na 'yung moisturizer po na 'yan, it helps put the cells in place at mapapalitan niya ''yung oil na nawala at i-calm ang irritation.”

Watch her full explanation on atopic dermatitis and other forms of eczema in the live video below: