Diagnosed With Atopic Dermatitis — What Should I Do Now?

The core symptoms of atopic dermatitis — dry and cracked skin, itchiness, rashes on swollen skin, and oozing, crusting irritated skin — can appear anywhere on the body. The exact symptoms and severity can vary from person to person.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, your healthcare provider may recommend various treatments, along with certain lifestyle changes that could help stave off flare-ups.

Your dermatologist may recommend lifestyle adjustments and home remedies to manage atopic dermatitis, which could help either lessen the severity of symptoms or keep flare-ups at bay.

• Try bleach baths. These can help relieve flares, especially if the skin is infected.

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• Consider wet wrap therapy. This involves applying moisturizer and medication to a flare-up, then wrapping the affected areas with warm, damp gauze, followed by a second layer of dry cloth. It’s intended to help topical treatments work more effectively.

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• Moisturize after bathing, after washing hands, and whenever skin starts to feel itchy or dry with a fragrance-free moisturizer to help improve or prevent flare-ups.

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• Take a daily bath or shower with lukewarm water instead of hot water, which can dry out the skin. Keep baths or showers to 10 minutes or less,

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  and gently pat your skin dry rather than toweling off roughly.

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• Avoid known triggers as much as possible. These may include certain fabrics that are rough on the skin like wool,

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  cold and dry air, fragrances, skin-care or makeup products,

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  pet dander, pollen, and harsh cleaners.

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  Manage stress. Emotional stress can make atopic dermatitis worse for some people.

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• Try a cold compress.

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• Don’t scratch. Instead, try pressing on or patting the skin.

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  Keeping your or your child’s nails trimmed can help. If your child can’t stop scratching at night, cover their hands with socks or gloves while they sleep.

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• Use a humidifier. Dry air can worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms. A humidifier helps add moisture to the air, which can be helpful for your symptoms.

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• Wear comfortable clothes and avoid tight, scratchy fabrics that could worsen itching.

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An atopic dermatitis diagnosis can be a lot to take in, and you'll likely have a number of questions. Sample questions for your doctor may include:

• What can I expect now that I or my child has been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis?
• What might be triggering the symptoms?
• Is this condition temporary or chronic?
• What treatments might help? Are there any side effects?
• How else can I care for my or my child’s skin? Are there lifestyle changes I should make?
• What should I do if my or my child’s symptoms don’t go away or get worse?

It’s time to talk to a healthcare provider if you or your child experience any of these symptoms:

• Continued or worsened symptoms of atopic dermatitis
• Symptoms that are so uncomfortable that they’re affecting sleep and daily activities
• A skin infection, evidenced by new streaks, pus, or yellow scabs
• Recurring flare-ups even after trying self-care strategies
• Mental health symptoms such as anxiety or depression related to your atopic dermatitis symptoms

Your doctor can talk to you about atopic dermatitis and establish a treatment plan that’s tailored to your specific symptoms. In addition, it may be helpful to connect with these organizations, which offer a wealth of information and resources for people with atopic dermatitis and related skin conditions.

Here’s a little bit about each one.

National Eczema Association

The National Eczema Association is a nonprofit that aims to provide knowledge and resources for the 31 million Americans and their families who live with atopic dermatitis or other forms of eczema. You can rely on this organization for a library of information about atopic dermatitis, including treatments and how to move forward if you’ve been newly diagnosed. It also offers resources for finding a doctor and navigating health insurance.

American Academy of Dermatology

Founded in 1938, the American Academy of Dermatology is the largest of all the professional dermatologic associations, representing more than 215000 physicians worldwide. It provides helpful overviews about atopic dermatitis and eczema for patients. It also offers a directory that can help you connect with dermatologists near you who specialize in treating atopic dermatitis.

Cleveland Clinic

Founded in 1921, the Cleveland Clinic is ranked as one of the nation’s top hospitals and has facilities around the world. Its website includes a detailed page on atopic dermatitis, including information about symptoms, diagnosis and testing, prevention, outlook, and prognosis. It also has a tool to help you find a specialist in your area.

American Skin Association

The American Skin Association brings together patients, families, doctors, and scientists in the fight against various skin diseases. It funds skin health research, particularly among children, including studies on atopic dermatitis. It has a thorough skin resource center, as well as a section earmarked for healthy skin education among teachers, parents, and kids.

Your primary care provider — or your child’s pediatrician — may be the first health professional you talk to about atopic dermatitis. Other professionals you may want to add to an atopic dermatitis treatment team after diagnosis may include these professionals:

• Dermatologist A dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing in skin health. A dermatologist with expertise in atopic dermatitis and related skin conditions can guide you through diagnosis and treatment options.
• Allergist Atopic dermatitis is linked to various types of allergies, such as food or environmental allergies. An allergist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies.

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• Psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, or social worker As mentioned earlier, atopic dermatitis is linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety. If you’re struggling with your mental health due to your symptoms, a mental health professional can help in ways such as providing talk therapy or counseling.

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• Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, typically begins before age 5 in children and can continue into the teen years and adulthood.
• Treatment options include corticosteroids, nonsteroid-based topical treatments, systemic treatments, and phototherapy.
• Lifestyle changes include bleach baths and wrap therapy. Moisturizing may help relieve flares.
• You should get medical care if you have recurring flare-ups or signs of infection.