With only six months to live, Santa Catarina Maya Ramos Martins, now 6 years old, developed red spots on her body. They were the first symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammation of the skin that causes uncomfortable symptoms, especially for a baby and for first-time parents who don’t know how to deal with the problem.
“People said that she had rashes, but the ointments did not improve the symptoms. Until we took her to an allergist dermatologist who evaluated and gave the right diagnosis”, recalls Maya’s mother, event producer Fernanda Ramos Costa.
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Fernanda says that the lack of knowledge on the subject made the diagnosis carry even greater weight. “It was a thud. Maya had spots all over her body and was very red. She couldn’t scratch it because she was so tiny”, he details. Fernanda created a Instagram profile to inform other parents who, like her and her husband, Diego Anthony Martins, felt lost with their children’s diagnosis.
atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammation of the skin that causes uncomfortable symptoms such as dry skin, itching and sores, especially in the crease areas – knees, elbows and neck. In the acute phase, sores can create an internal secretion.
According to dermatologist Mayra Ianhez, the condition may have a genetic origin, be caused by immune dysregulation or by environmental factors. The disease is more common in children, but adults and the elderly can also develop it.
Symptoms tend to get worse on days of intense cold or heat or in situations that contribute to skin dryness, such as long baths with hot water, use of soap and loofah that remove the skin’s natural layer of oiliness, or swimming in the pool. , for example.
“Maya gets a lot worse in the summer. My in-laws have a pool at home and they know they need to avoid using chlorine because of it”, says Fernanda.
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The girl’s condition is considered mild to moderate. Since she was a baby, she woke up two or three times every night asking her parents to scratch her. “Maya scratched herself a lot at night and woke up sore. I had to sleep cuddled up with her a few nights to keep her from getting hurt,” she says.
The condition worsened two years ago, when the girl was diagnosed with a food allergy that causes red lesions on the body, especially in the private parts. Fernanda says that her daughter started going to the bathroom only once a day because she felt very uncomfortable urinating.
itch
The main symptoms of atopic dermatitis are itchy, dry skin, irritated skin with redness, flaking and small blisters.
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doctor and patient consultation
Women can have and choose a companion during consultations and examinations, including gynecological examinations, in public and private health establishments in the Federal District
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itchy atopic dermatitis
The first symptoms usually appear in childhood, and most patients are children.
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atopic dermatitis
In addition to facing a condition that is characterized by skin lesions, the patient still suffers prejudice
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skin itch
According to a Datafolha survey, despite being a chronic genetic disease, 47% of respondents believe that the condition is caused by poor hygiene habits
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Prejudice
In addition to the uncomfortable symptoms of atopic dermatitis, most patients also face prejudice. A 2021 survey by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) showed that 47% of the population believe that the condition is caused by poor hygiene habits; for 46%, patients cannot have contact with children.
A third of respondents believe that people with visible manifestations of the disease should not even leave their homes to attend school or work, and 33% believe that they could not use public transport.
The dermatologist explains that all these opinions are incorrect. “It is a highly stigmatized disease, but it is not contagious. By the school stage, kids often end up being bullied because of her,” she says.
For the curious looks and questions about the little spots she has on her body, Maya has the answer on the tip of her tongue. “She explains that she has atopic dermatitis, a normal disease like any other and that it is not contagious”, confirms the mother. According to Fernanda, most comments do not come from children but from adults.
Diego Anthony Martins, Maya Ramos Martins and Fernanda Ramos
Diego Anthony Martins, Maya Ramos Martins and Fernanda Ramos
Fernanda Ramos Costa/ Image courtesy of Metrópoles
Maya Ramos Martins
Mays often wakes up with sores from scratching at night
Fernanda Ramos Costa/ Image courtesy of Metrópoles
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Maya Ramos Martins03
The girl developed sores all over her body.
Fernanda Ramos Costa/ Image courtesy of Metrópoles
Maya Ramos Martins04
Red spot on Maya’s armpit
Fernanda Ramos Costa/ Image courtesy of Metrópoles
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Treatment
Up to 60% of cases have spontaneous remission, that is, they are cured naturally with age. Others can get worse. Three months ago, Maya’s condition improved significantly.
She started sleeping through the night and the treatment is limited to using a body moisturizer six times a day to keep her skin hydrated. In some situations, the family resorts to antihistamine drugs to control the allergy. Maya also prefers loose-fitting, 100% cotton clothes to avoid friction with the skin.
The dermatologist explains that skin hydration is the main way to treat atopic dermatitis. Children can use 500 g to 1 kg of lotion per month to keep their skin adequately hydrated.
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The post Atopic dermatitis: mother tells daughter’s challenges with chronic disease first appeared on Metropolis.
