What Is Skin Asthma?

Skin asthma is called atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema. Atopic dermatitis is a disease that causes the skin to get very itchy and inflamed when irritated by an allergen. Many people who suffer from atopic dermatitis have to alter their lifestyles to avoid breaking out into severe rashes.

Causes

• The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown although it is seems that it is caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms

• The exact symptoms for someone with eczema vary from person to person, but they usually all have dry, itchy skin. The skin can appear red and scaly, thick and leathery, bumpy, or it can leak fluid and become crusty and infected.

Irritants

• People with atopic dermatitis are commonly allergic to wool and synthetic fibers, soaps and detergents, chlorine, dust or sand, and cigarette smoke. Atopic dermatitis also tends to worsen when people are in stressful situations.

Treatment

• There is no permanent cure for atopic dermatitis, but there are treatments to help keep the skin healthy and prevent rash outbreaks. Such treatments are immunomodulators medication, corticosteroid creams and ointments, phototherapy, and antibiotics.

Contagiousness

• Eczema is not contagious, so you don't have to worry about catching a rash from someone who suffers from it.