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Atopowe Zapalenie Skóry (AZS) a Egzema - Różnice, Podobieństwa i Sposoby Leczenia
A Word From Verywell
Eczema symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. However, with the right course of treatment and self-care, eczema can be managed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the triggers of your eczema so you can work to prevent flare-ups and improve your quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Triggers for eczema in adults include stress, allergens, genetics, and environmental irritants, such as climate. Certain household and hygiene products, such as shampoos and conditioners and other cleansers, and materials, such as certain metals or fabrics, can trigger eczema as well.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Pyun BY. Natural history and risk factors of atopic dermatitis in children. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2015,7(2):101-5. doi:10.4168/aair.2015.7.2.101
- National Eczema Association. Eczema causes & triggers.
- Arkwright PD, Motala C, Subramanian H, et al. Management of difficult-to-treat atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013,1(2):142-51. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2012.09.002
- National Eczema Association. Eczema product directory.
- Kim BE, Leung DYM. Significance of skin barrier dysfunction in atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018,10(3):207-15. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.3.207
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Can you get eczema as an adult?
By Molly Burford
Molly Burford is a mental health advocate and wellness book author with almost 10 years of experience in digital media.
Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis
The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching, which can be severe. Other common symptoms include:
- Red, dry patches of skin.
- Rashes that that may ooze, weep clear fluid, or bleed when scratched.
- Thickening and hardening of the skin.
The symptoms can flare in multiple areas of the body at the same time and can appear in the same locations and in new locations. The appearance and location of the rash vary depending on age, however, the rash can appear anywhere on the body. Patients with darker skin tones often experience darkening or lightening of the skin in areas of skin inflammation.
Infants
During infancy and up to 2 years of age, it is most common for a red rash, which may ooze when scratched, to appear on the:
- Face.
- Scalp.
- Area of skin around joints that touch when the joint bends.
Some parents worry that the infant has atopic dermatitis in the diaper area, however, the condition rarely appears in this area.
Childhood
During childhood, usually 2 years of age to puberty, it is most common for a red thickened rash, which may ooze or bleed when scratched, to appear on the:
- Elbows and knees, usually in the bend.
- Neck.
- Ankles.
Teens and Adults
During the teenage and adult years, it is most common for a red to dark brown scaly rash, which may bleed and crust when scratched, to appear on the:
- Hands.
- Neck.
- Elbows and knees, usually in the bend.
- Skin around the eyes.
- Ankles and feet.
Other common skin features of atopic dermatitis include:
- An extra fold of skin under the eye, which is known as a Dennie-Morgan fold.
- Darkening of the skin beneath the eyes.
- Extra skin creases on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Egzema – co to jest?
Egzema to stan zapalny skóry (a właściwie naskórka oraz warstwy brodawkowatej skóry właściwej), który najczęściej rozpoczyna się intensywnym świądem, pieczeniem i zaczerwieniem. W zależności od przyczyny, zmiany te mogą mieć różną lokalizację i pojawiają się w różnym wieku.
Tym bardziej więc warto pamiętać, że egzema to nie konkretna choroba, ale rodzaj objawu który towarzyszy różnym schorzeniom. Tym, co je łączy, jest właśnie charakterystyczny stan zapalny skóry. Przyczyny jego wystąpienia mogą być mocno zróżnicowane. Egzema nie jest jednak zaraźliwa, czyli nie można się jej nabawić przez podanie dłoni czy dotykanie tych samych przedmiotów, z którymi miała styczność osoba zmagająca się z wypryskiem (bo tak też czasem egzema jest nazywana).
Egzema – objawy
Początki egzemy, niezależnie od jej pochodzenia, związane są często z suchą albo bardzo suchą skórą. Kolejnym objawem jest intensywny świąd, zaczerwienienie przechodzące w rumień oraz pieczenie. Pojawia się też wysypka. Na dalszym etapie rozwoju egzemy stan zapalny skóry może ulec zaostrzeniu. W miejscu wysypki tworzą się pęcherzyki wypełnione płynem surowiczym oraz nadżerki. Niestety, jeśli w międzyczasie chory zacznie się np. drapać, może dojść do wtórnych zakażeń bakteryjnych.
Długo utrzymujący się, przewlekły stan zapalny skóry może też prowadzić do jej pogrubienia (lichenizacji). Staje się ona nie tylko grubsza, ale też wyjątkowo sucha.
Do listy objawów egzemy można też dodać tzw. przeczosy, czyli uszkodzenia naskórka (często układające się pionowo), które powstają wskutek drapania się oraz strupy pojawiające się w miejscu gojących się nadżerek. Jeśli w trakcie procesu zapalnego skóry doszło do nadkażenia bakteryjnego, strupy mogą mieć charakterystyczny, żółtawy kolor.
Causes of Atopic Dermatitis
No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis, however, researchers know that changes in the protective layer of the skin can cause it to lose moisture. This can cause the skin to become dry, leading to damage and inflammation in the skin. New research suggests that inflammation directly triggers sensations of itch which in turn cause the patient to scratch. This leads to further damage of the skin as well as increased risk for infection with bacteria.
Researchers do know that the following may contribute to the changes in the skin barrier, which helps control moisture:
- Changes (mutations) in genes.
- Problems with the immune system.
- Exposure to certain things in the environment.
Genetics
The chance of developing atopic dermatitis is higher if there is a family history of the disease, which suggests that genetics may play a role in the cause. Recently, researchers found changes to genes that control a specific protein and help our bodies maintain a healthy layer of skin. Without the normal levels of this protein, the skin barrier changes, allowing moisture to escape and exposing the skin immune system to the environment, leading to atopic dermatitis.
Researchers continue to study genes to better understand how different mutations cause atopic dermatitis.
Immune System
The immune system normally helps to fight off illness, bacteria, and viruses in your body. Sometimes, the immune system becomes confused and overactive, which can create inflammation in the skin, leading to atopic dermatitis.
Environment
Environmental factors may trigger the immune system to change the protective barrier of the skin allowing more moisture to escape, which can lead to the atopic dermatitis. These factors may include:
- Exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Certain types of air pollutants.
- Fragrances and other compounds found in skin products and soaps.
- Excessively dry skin.
