Atopic dermatitis is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the skin. The word “dermatitis” means inflammation of the skin. “Atopic” refers to a group of diseases that are hereditary (that is, run in families) and often occur together, including asthma, allergies such as hay fever, and Atopic dermatitis. In Atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling.

Atopic dermatitis most often affects infants and young children, but it can continue into adulthood or first show up later in life. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse, called exacerbations or flares, followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. Many children with Atopic dermatitis will experience a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin often remains dry and easily irritated. Environmental factors can bring on symptoms of Atopic dermatitis at any time in the lives of individuals who have inherited the Atopic disease trait.

Dyshydrotic dermatitis, Hydrotic eczema, contact dermatitis are the types of dermatitis and cure with homeopathy without relapse is possibel.

Atopic dermatitis is often referred to as “eczema,” which is a general term for the many types of dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. Several have very similar symptoms. Types of eczema are described in the box below.

Types of Eczema (Dermatitis) :

1. Atopic dermatitis: a chronic skin disease characterized by itchy, inflamed skin
2. Contact eczema: a localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical
3. Allergic contact eczema (dermatitis): A red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions
4. Seborrheic eczema: yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, and occasionally other parts of the body
5. Nummular eczema: coin-shaped patches of irritated skin—most common on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs—that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy
6. Neurodermatitis: scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms caused by a localized itch (such as an insect bite) that becomes intensely irritated when scratched
7. Stasis dermatitis: a skin irritation on the lower legs, generally related to circulatory problems
8. Dyshydrotic eczema: irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the feet characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn

Atopic dermatitis is very common. It affects males and females equally and accountsfor10to 20 percent of all referrals to dermatologists (doctors who specialize in the care and treatment of skin diseases). Atopic dermatitis occurs most often in infants and children and its onset decreases substantially with age. Scientists estimate that 65 percent of patients develop symptoms in the first year of life, and 90 percent develop symptoms before the age of 5. Onset after age 30 is less common and often occurs after exposure of skin to harsh conditions. People who live in urban areas and in climates with low humidity seem to be at an increased risk for developing Atopic dermatitis. 

The cause of Atopic dermatitis is not known, but the disease seems to result from a combination of genetic (hereditary) and environmental factors. Evidence suggests the disease is associated with other so-called Atopic disorders such as hay fever and asthma, which many people with Atopic dermatitis also have. In addition, many children who outgrow the symptoms of Atopic dermatitis go on to develop hay fever or asthma. Although one disorder does not cause another, they may be related, thereby giving researchers clues to understanding Atopic dermatitis.

Symptoms vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are dry, itchy skin; cracks behind the ears; and rashes on the cheeks, arms, and legs. The itchy feeling is an important factor in Atopic dermatitis, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of this disease. People with Atopic dermatitis seem to be more sensitive to itching and feel the need to scratch longer in response. They develop what is referred to as “the itch-scratch cycle”: The extreme itchiness of the skin causes the person to scratch, which in turn worsens the itch, and so on. Itching is particularly a problem during sleep, when conscious control of scratching decreases and the absence of other outside stimuli makes the itchiness more noticeable.

The way the skin is affected by Atopic dermatitis can be changed by patterns of scratching and resulting skin infections. Some people with the disease develop red, scaling skin where the immune system in the skin is becoming very activated. Others develop thick and leathery skin as a result of constant scratching and rubbing. This condition is called lichenification. Still others develop papules, or small raised bumps, on their skin. When the papules are scratched, they may open (excoriations) and become crusty and infected.

Homeopathic View of Atopic Dermatitis :

Homeopathy strongly against any external application on local disease site, this lead to suppression of disease as well as it flair up the other inherited disease and its more dangerous than to leave dermatitis without any external lotions, ointments. If this condition alternate with other illness like Asthma, Hay Fever or any other disease than this requires special attention.

With homeopathy, it improves in 15 - 20 days and in one month skin normalizes completely, but for stable remission at least 2 to 3 months treatment is required. It may recur rarely in future. After 2 - 3 years the one more course clears it.