Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prolonged inflammatory skin disease characterized by disrupted skin barrier function, pruritic skin lesions, and allergic reactions to food and environmental allergens. It usually presents in initial childhood. Itching at the area of pruritis leads to redness, cracking, scaling and potential superinfection of the skin. Maximum AD patients have own or family history of atopy (allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, AD or asthma).

Case

A 7 year old girl with a history of AD and recurrent skin infections came with widespread eczematous dermatitis. She scratched the lesions, specifically at night, with the result that her sleep was disturbed. She is not allergic to any food. Regarding family history of other atopic conditions, her father is asthmatic and her younger brother has allergic rhinitis.

Skin examination confirmed scattered scaly eczematous patches along the flexural areas of her upper and lower extremities.

Appropriate allergen avoidance and integrative pest management (IPM) approaches were conversed with the patient’s family. She was started treatment with Niacinamide based emollients and moisturizer, which moisturize dry skin and help repair the defective skin barrier. The patients mother was advised that emollients should be used regularly even when the flare-up has resolved. The patient demonstrated dramatic improvement in her AD

Conclusion

Emollients inhibit water loss and provide a protective coating; they are recommended in all patients with atopic dermatitis.