Symptoms and Treatment for Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Severe atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that occurs when the symptoms or manifestations of atopic dermatitis goes out of control. It is officially know as atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema but it is called severe atopic dermatitis when the flare ups are in desperate need of medication.

Severe atopic dermatitis manifests as cracks on the skin of the affected individuals. In many severe cases of both adult atopic dermatitis and that of children, the cracked skin may be oozing a clear fluid or bleeding. While much of the cracked skin happens in the folds of skin, cases of severe atopic dermatitis can occur in flat skin.

Other symptoms of severe atopic dermatitis are itchiness, red and scaly skin and thick, swollen skin. The feeling of itchiness may prompt the individual to scratch the affected area which in turn becomes more and itchier soon developing into lesions which may be bloody. Red scaly skin will also develop due to the constant rubbing or scratching. Sometimes the skin develops a leathery quality due to the constant friction the individual may bestow on it. Severe atopic dermatitis also manifests as papules on the skin which resemble small red bumps which bursts open when scratched. These burst papules may become infected and the individual may need antibiotics to combat the infection.

Severe atopic dermatitis can be treated and controlled with the use of immunodilators. These medications can effectively alter some of the functions of the person's immune system thus making it less prone to allergic reactions. These kinds of medications are not recommended as maintenance and should only be used during severe flare ups.

Steroids taken orally are also prescribed for severe atopic dermatitis. These kinds of medicines can really help to clear up a rash that may have affected a large area of skin as well as manage and control oozing and bleeding. The risks of taking such medicines long term are suppression of the person's immune system, thinning of the individual's bones weight gain and others. Doctors are supposed to prescribe this medication for a short course of only five days.

Oral antibiotics are also a part of the assortment of medicines used to manage and treat severe atopic dermatitis. These actually help to get rid of any infections which may have occurred on the skin due to the exposure of open wounds and lesions to bacteria and germs.