Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. characterized by frequent outbreaks, intense itching, irritation, pain, redness, scabs and infections. Lesions can be located on the face, scalp, ears, back of the hands, and flexion areas of the extremities.
It has a high impact on the quality of life, since it crosses all areas (family, work, social) of the person who presents it. It affects approximately 15% to 25% of children and adolescents and 1 to 3% of adults,” explained Dr. Débora Kaplan (MN 94,872), dermatologist and President of the Argentine Psoriasis Society (SOARPSO).
Atopic dermatitis involves genetic and environmental factors, immunological alterations and problems in the skin’s barrier function. There are other diseases triggered by the same inflammatory process and it very often coexists with different allergic conditions. “In the early years it can appear only as dermatitis, but later, it can coexist with or precede other allergic manifestations such as food allergies, rhinitis or asthma. These associated diseases should not be neglected because if, for example, we do not treat the asthma, lung function will be affected, if we do not treat allergic rhinitis or food allergy, the entire quality of life of the patient will be impacted,” said Dr. Maximiliano Gómez (MN 174.006), specialist in allergy and immunology and President of the Association Argentina Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAeIC).
It is a disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach involving different professionals.. “The vision of the dermatologist and the allergist complement each other and the patient benefits from the comprehensive care of his skin and his allergy. Working together guarantees evaluation and specialized, complementary treatment always for the benefit of the patient,” added Gómez.
The diagnosis
Diagnosis in time is the first step to be able to change the course of a disease. “It allows us an appropriate and individualized treatment of the patient, contributes to the relief of symptoms in those cases with more severe and advanced disease, identifies and treats, if necessary, associated comorbidities and, in mild cases, prevents the progression of eczema. “, assured Dr. María Eugenia Abad (MN 87.054), President of the Pediatric Dermatology Society for Latin America (SDPL).
Depending on the patient’s profile, it is a disease that, especially in early childhood, can achieve remission in a significant number; in other cases, it may require chronic and controlled treatment by specialized professionals. For cases with moderate or severe disease, in recent years, various therapeutic tools have appeared that substantially improve the quality of life, controlling itching and skin lesions in patients ranging from biological drugs (interleukin-4 inhibitors and 13), to oral treatments (JAK inhibitors).
“Currently we have various tools and treatment options approved for this disease from oral medication to biologic therapy. These alternatives are aimed at improving skin manifestations, reducing and controlling itching, and preventing exacerbations. This must be accompanied by other resources such as the identification of triggering and aggravating factors and adequate information on skin care and expectations based on knowledge of the disease. And keep in mind that treatment must be personalized for each patient,” Kaplan explained.
Atopic dermatitis affects quality of life
Nearly 90% of patients see their quality of life affected on a daily basis, atopic dermatitis impacts the work, school, social, bonding and economic spheres. “Atopic skin becomes a social barrier, it conditions from clothing to relationships and this definitely damages self-esteem. People who go through it feel frustration, anger, mood disturbances, stress, sleep disorders, changes in their routine and pain” described Mariana Palacios, president of the Argentine Atopic Dermatitis Association (ADAR).
Itching, the main symptom of the disease, is not a minor aspect, people whose skin itches chronically and intensely (which happens in contexts or situations that are impossible to control such as school, work, public transport , at a social event, or trying to sleep) are three times as likely to develop depression and twice as likely to experience anxiety. When patients are asked to rate the intensity of their itch on a range of 1 to 10, the overall average rises to 7.
Those who present with AD generally have a skin barrier permeability problem
“Skin diseases are not cosmetic, they are conditions with a huge impact on people’s lives, on their mental health and well-beingr, both personally and those around them, and we must not forget the wear and tear, due to the bureaucracy of our health system, which we face in order to access more effective treatments”, concluded Silvia Fernández Barrio, president of AEPSO.
According to recent surveys, there is a difficulty in accessing the correct diagnosis, especially in locations far from the metropolitan area. Depending on the place in the country, provinces are identified where 6 out of 10 diagnoses can take from 2 to 5 years.
The organizers agreed on the importance of carrying out these detection campaigns that facilitate diagnosis throughout the country, where many of the people who still wander from doctor to doctor can achieve a correct diagnosis and treatment that allow them greater control of the disease. .
Free detection campaign
Organized by the Argentine Atopic Dermatitis Association (ADAR), the Civil Association for Psoriasis Patients (AEPSO), the Argentine Psoriasis Society (SOARPSO), the Argentine Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAeIC) and the Pediatric Dermatology Society for Latin America (SDPL), the third national campaign for free detection of atopic dermatitis will be carried out, with the aim of promoting early diagnosis and improving the quality of life of people who must go through this disease.
From May 8 to May 12 there will be a week of assignment of shifts through www.pedirturno.com.ar or by calling 0800 222 3776, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Effective attention will take place from May 15 to 19. Professionals from different provinces and cities across the country participate.
