The “children’s doctor” is the first point of reference in case of atopy, but the dermatologist confirms himself as the specialist of the disease. Relying on their advice is the first step to solving the problem.
The skin is dry, reddened, itches, easily irritates and creates discomfort to the baby. It may be atopic dermatitis.
A fairly frequent problem in the first years of life, determined by a hypersensitivity of the skin (or pseudo-allergies) towards different compounds present in the environment or introduced into the body through food.
In general, it is not a serious disorder, but it must be addressed in the right way to avoid worsening the symptoms instead of solving them, facilitating their chronicization. Who to contact?
From the pediatrician to understand
The first reference is, without a doubt, the pediatrician who will be able to formulate the correct diagnosis and direct you to any further information to be carried out.
Although atopic dermatitis is fairly simple to recognize, the characteristic skin symptoms may depend on different specific causes and understanding their origin is essential to identify the most suitable remedies.
If the manifestations are mild or moderate, as a first advice, most likely, the pediatrician will tell you not to make the child sweat too much, to wash him as little as possible (while ensuring adequate hygiene), to use delicate and hypoallergenic detergents (or even just water, in newborns) and to apply emollients several times a day on sensitized areas.
If you want to know more about the daily rules to relieve the ailment in the child read this article.
Do not doubt: even if he does not prescribe any specific medication he is not trivializing the situation. Atopic skin needs first of all to be respected and these simple measures are fundamental, as well as in many cases sufficient, to make it find a better balance.
You can ask the pediatrician for explanations on the characteristics of the disease and its evolution, on the practical measures to be adopted and on the mistakes to avoid in everyday life, finding answers to any doubt.
From the dermatologist for targeted care
If after 2-3 weeks the situation does not improve or if the symptoms are very intense from the beginning (for example, with unbearable itching, appearance of cuts, crusts or secretions at the level of the reddened areas) or very extensive manifestations, a visit to the dermatologist becomes necessary for a specialized evaluation of the picture and to have specific indications on the pharmacological treatment to be undertaken.
The proposed therapy, which differs depending on the case, should be followed on average for 2-6 weeks before it can be established whether it has actually been useful, if it can/should be interrupted, continued in the long term or replaced with a different one.
In the meantime, as always later, the point of reference for parents remains the pediatrician, able to offer reliable, constant support based on extensive knowledge of the general health status of the child.
From probiotics, the extra help
In addition to emollient creams and specific therapies, the pediatrician or dermatologist may also recommend the use of probiotic products containing specific lactobacilli, at high concentration.
Taken every day by mouth, these probiotics are able to improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in an indirect way, optimizing the composition of the intestinal microflora, related to the tendency to develop allergies of various types.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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