Know the Moisturizing Role for Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis or eczema tends to occur in children, although everyone can still experience it. This disease causes red rashes, itching, and makes the skin dry. Handling of doctors is very necessary in these conditions. But to help restore the affected skin due to atopic dermatitis in your baby, you can try using a special moisturizer. Until now, doctors did not know for certain what caused this atopic eczema. However, atopic dermatitis is thought to be influenced by genetic factors, the environment, the immune system, and also allergens or allergens. There are several things that can trigger the appearance of atopic eczema symptoms in children, including hot air or excessive sweating, stress, food allergies, use of soap or skin care products, pets, and clothing. Rashes that are symptoms of eczema can appear on the face, elbows, knees, hands, or scalp. Generally, sufferers of this skin disease will feel the itching that does not go away, so they want to constantly scratch, even to make the skin become injured.

Moisturizer for Atopic Dermatitis

Dry skin often makes atopic dermatitis worse. To alleviate damage to your baby's skin, then you can use moisturizer. Moisturizers aim to lock in the skin's moisture, block out things that can irritate the skin, and help reduce itching due to dry skin. Based on how it works, moisturizers to overcome atopic eczema are divided into three types, namely humectants, emollients, and occlusives. The following explanation:

• Humectant is a type of moisturizer that can catch water from the air outside the body and the deeper layers of the skin (dermis layer), so that moisture on the skin surface can be maintained. Materials that include this type of moisturizer are glycerin, urea, alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, and also salicylic acid.
• While emollients are a type of moisturizer that can overcome dry skin by giving moisture to the skin and coating the crust on dry and injured skin. This type of moisturizer can improve the appearance of dry, scaly, and itchy skin due to atopic dermatitis.
• Occlusive type moisturizers are in the form of oil, sometimes some types of moisturizers are mixed with water-based ingredients and solvents to form lotions or creams. Occlusive moisturizer is useful as a protector on the surface layer of the skin to prevent evaporation and dry skin.

Both humectants and emollients, available in the form of lotions, creams, and ointments. What distinguishes the three dosage forms is the oil and water content contained in it. Some types of moisturizers have additional ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter, vitis vinifera (grapevine), telmesteine, vitamins C and E, and glycyrrhetinic acid, to increase their effectiveness in moisturizing and nourishing the skin. But you still have to pay attention to labels on moisturizer products, and make sure the ingredients in these products do not make your child allergic. In addition, you are advised to choose a moisturizer that is free of dyes and perfumes.

Tips for Using Moisturizers

For maximum results, use a moisturizer some time after your baby is bathing. Here are some steps to use a moisturizer for your baby's skin:

• After bathing, dry your baby's skin gently.
• Apply the moisturizer to the area that has atopic dermatitis, no more than three minutes after your baby is bathing.
• Gently pat into the skin, and wait for the skin to absorb all the moisturizer.
• After finishing, wash your hands.

If your child has atopic dermatitis, you should consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment. Your doctor may perform an allergy test if the origin of atopic dermatitis is unknown. Do not underestimate atopic eczema, because this skin disorder is a chronic condition that can repeatedly recur, thus requiring skin care continuously and painstakingly.