Infantile Atopic Dermatitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction

Infantile atopic dermatitis is a common skin condition affecting infants. Infantile atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition with generalized skin dryness, redness, itching, and other symptoms. Infantile atopic dermatitis has an age-dependent characteristic distribution. The exact etiology for the incidence of infantile atopic dermatitis is unknown, but it is suggested to have a genetic predisposition. Some environmental factors are also found to be a cause of infantile atopic dermatitis. There is no specific diagnosis for evaluating infantile atopic dermatitis. Infantile atopic dermatitis is a condition with a high relapse rate.

What Is Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

Infantile atopic dermatitis is also known as atopic eczema in infants and baby eczema. Infantile atopic dermatitis is a chronic and pruritic skin inflammatory condition in infants. Infantile atopic dermatitis is most common in children in developed countries. The age prevalence of infantile atopic dermatitis is between three to six months for babies. Symptoms are commonly observed in the face, neck, head, elbows, and lower extremities. Patients with infantile atopic dermatitis will show elevated IgE antibodies. The common disorders associated with infantile atopic dermatitis are hay fever and other allergic conditions.

What Are the Causes of Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

The exact etiology of the incidence of infantile atopic dermatitis is not known. Infantile atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory condition. Some of the contributing factors for infantile atopic dermatitis are given below.

• Genetical etiology, infantile atopic dermatitis has a familial history.

• The immune system, infants with a poor immune system.

• External factors include weather conditions, bathing with hot water, soap with irritants, and other hot conditions.

• Members in the family with atopic dermatitis.

• Babies with hay fever and other allergic conditions are at risk of developing infantile atopic dermatitis.

• Other triggers of infantile atopic dermatitis include excessive heat, excessive sweating, anxiety, and some infections.

What Are the Symptoms of Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

Symptoms of infantile atopic dermatitis are seen in any area of the body, and the typically affected site are the face, neck, elbows, head, and knee regions. Sometimes the symptoms of infantile atopic dermatitis also appear in the wrists, ankles, and hands.

Symptoms include regular flare-ups, and this condition is very common in babies between 3 to 6 months of age.

The common symptoms of infantile atopic dermatitis are listed below.

• Erythema, known as redness, is present.

• Scaly skin.

• Dry skin.

• Swelling.

• Skin is very thick.

• The color of the skin is pale, particularly pale skin on the face of the infants.

• Small bumps are raised with a crusty surface, and while scratching the bumps, a fluid is leaked.

• Eyelids and the area around the eyes appear dark.

• The skin around the mouth, eyes, and ears will show changes.

What Are the Complications of Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

Infantile atopic dermatitis has some complications. The colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is common in individuals with infantile atopic dermatitis. The features of infectious complications of infantile atopic dermatitis are honey-colored crusting and inflammation of the follicles and pustules. Some other complications of infantile atopic dermatitis are mentioned below.

• Skin infection.

• Bacterial infections such as Staphylococcal aureus infections.

• Allergic dermatitis.

• Intense itching.

• Poor sleep.

• Depression.

• Adverse effects of chemotherapy.

• Viral infections include eczema herpetiform, eczema vaccinatum, coxsackie virus, and molluscum contagiosum.

What Are the Diagnosis of Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

The diagnosis of infantile atopic dermatitis is based on the symptoms that appear in the child and the infant's medical history. Any family history of infantile atopic dermatitis is also evaluated. There is no specific diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of infantile atopic dermatitis. The typical test done for the diagnosis of infantile atopic dermatitis is mentioned below.

• Medical history of the infants.

• Physical examination of the patient with symptoms.

• Familial history is also evaluated.

• Other allergic symptoms and a history of other allergens are also considered.

• Blood tests will show increased immunoglobulin E or IgE.

• A skin allergy test is also done.

What Is the Differential Diagnosis of Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

Symptoms of infantile atopic dermatitis are similar to other conditions. Comparison of symptoms with other conditions will help in differential diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis.

The differential diagnosis of infantile atopic dermatitis is listed below.

• Contact dermatitis.

• Seborrheic eczema.

• The adverse effect of drugs.

• Infantile psoriasis.

• Scabies.

• Netherton syndrome.

• Ichthyosis Vulgaris.

• Mineral deficiency such as zinc and biotin.

• SAM syndrome is called severe dermatitis, multiple allergies, and metabolic wasting syndrome.

What Is the Treatment of Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

Treatment of infantile atopic dermatitis is based on the child's symptoms, the infant's age, and the infant's general health. According to the severity of the condition, treatment is done. Symptomatic management is done to ease itching, rash, and other inflammatory changes. The various treatment odes for infantile atopic dermatitis are mentioned below.

• Topical corticosteroid cream and ointment for relieving pain and itching.

• Application of antibiotics in the case of secondary infection.

• Application of antihistamines to improve allergic symptoms.

• Topical Calcineurin cream or inhibitors to reduce itching and swelling.

• Crisaborole cream.

• In phototherapy or light therapy, ultraviolet light is used.

• Immunomodulators.

• Dupilumab injection is prescribed in severe cases.

How to Prevent Infantile Atopic Dermatitis?

The prevention of infantile atopic dermatitis is done to reduce or avoid skin dryness in infants. The episodes of flare-ups and the triggers are avoided. Some of the preventive measures for the prevention of infantile atopic dermatitis are given below.

• Always use warm water for the baby’s shower.

• Using nonirritating soaps and cleansers.

• Wearing soft clothes to prevent sin damage.

• Overheating should be reduced.

• The skin should be hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

• Allergens like pollen, smoke, and other allergens should be avoided.

• Stress should be reduced.

Conclusion

Infantile atopic dermatitis is a common skin inflammatory condition, chronic. The symptoms of eczema will improve by the age of five to six. The symptoms of infantile atopic dermatitis are itching, generalized redness, swelling, and rash. There is no specific diagnosis for the evaluation of infantile atopic dermatitis. Treatment is mainly done for symptomatic relief. Antibiotics are administered as the first line of therapy. Parent counseling is also done about the preventive measures for infantile atopic dermatitis. The symptoms and signs of Infantile atopic dermatitis can be reduced and avoided by early diagnosis, proper treatment, and following preventive measures.