Atopic dermatitis on the face
Eczema on the face can have a variety of causes, ranging from manifestations of atopy to contact irritation and bacterial skin inflammation. To treat it, it is essential to know what type of eczema you have on your face. Atopic dermatitis on the face most commonly occurs around the eyes, mouth and neck.
What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis on the face?
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis on the face are similar to those on the rest of the body: the skin is dry, red, itchy and irritable. Some people also report a stinging and/or burning sensation. Scratching the itchy skin further aggravates the symptoms and can lead to damage, infection and thickening of the skin.
Atopic dermatitis on the face, like all other forms of atopic dermatitis, is common in infants and children, usually appearing between two and six months of age. It primarily affects the cheeks and forehead, but can spread to other parts of the body as the child gets older. Later, it may disappear and reappear in adulthood. In this case, stress, a toxic environment or hormonal changes are usually the triggers. Therefore, if itchy and red patches appear in the above-mentioned areas and were preceded by eczema in childhood, it is likely to be atopic dermatitis. The treatment of atopy should be left to a specialist dermatologist. Corticosteroid creams are prescribed to soothe visible eczema lesions. This is followed by intensive moisturising and skin barrier protection.
Many children outgrow the condition, but in some it can persist into adulthood, and in some adults, atopic dermatitis appears on the face without having been present in childhood. Atopic dermatitis on the face in adults can affect the scalp, forehead and cheeks, the skin behind the ears and the sensitive area around the eyes. Symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the season, and can also differ from day to day.
The condition has two distinct phases:
•Flare-ups, or the acute phase, when the skin is most itchy and irritated
•Calmer periods between flare-ups
Atopic dermatitis on the face is visible at first glance and is therefore particularly stressful. Although it is a non-infectious disease, it can complicate social functioning in children and adults and also reduce self-esteem. It is known to have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and their families.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis on the face
A congenital skin barrier defect is the main reason why the skin is unable to effectively moisturise itself. This makes it dry and easily damaged. Friction (e.g. from a towel) or scratching causes micro-cracks to form in the skin. These cracks allow molecules of irritants to penetrate the skin. The skin reacts disproportionately to the irritation and triggers a reaction throughout the entire body. Therefore, excellent moisturisation and protection of the skin against allergens are essential for successful prevention. Patients with atopic eczema should strengthen the barrier function of their skin.
Dermatologists recommend using barrier creams such as Dermaguard. Dermaguard cream creates an invisible protective shield on the skin against most allergens found in the environment. Because the allergen cannot penetrate the skin, it remains unirritated. The protection lasts for around 4-6 hours. The cream also effectively moisturises the skin without leaving it feeling greasy and strengthens the skin barrier. It can be used on any part of the body except the mucous membranes. The cream contains dimethicone, which gradually evaporates from the skin under the influence of sweat acidity. The cream is unscented.
