[Health Column] Pro Tips for Treating Atopic Dermatitis: What Should You Take Care Of to Reduce Itching and Recurrence?

 

Hello, this is Dr. Park Chi-young, Chief Director of Saenggi Korean Medicine Clinic Gangnam Station Branch.

 

Many people feel at a loss as to what to fix first, as the itching subsides after applying ointment but returns after overwork or a change in weather.

 

Atopic dermatitis is not a disease that can be resolved with a single secret remedy. It is important to consistently manage the skin barrier, treat inflammation, and monitor individual aggravating factors. Today, I will discuss a topic I frequently explain in the clinic. Pro tips for treating atopic dermatitis Along with this, let's summarize the criteria to check when combining Korean medical treatment.

 

I. Before learning the best tips for treating atopic dermatitis, what is atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is a disease characterized by persistent itching and skin inflammation, with cycles of improvement and worsening. The cause is not fixed at a single factor; rather, a complex interplay of impaired skin barrier function, abnormal immune responses, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors is involved.

 

During the acute phase, red spots, swelling, oozing, and scabs may appear, and repeated scratching can cause the skin to become rough, thickened, or darkened. This is called lichenification and pigmentation, and once it takes hold, it takes time for the skin to return to its original texture.

 

The areas where they appear also tend to vary with age. In infancy, they commonly develop on the face, head, and outer sides of the limbs; as children progress, they often spread to creases such as the inner elbows or behind the knees. In adulthood, they can persist for a long time in areas that are frequently irritated, such as the neck, hands, and around the eyes. While a change in location does not mean it has become a different condition, the types of irritations that require management do differ.

 

Therefore, rather than just temporarily soothing the visible rash A plan to properly treat inflammation and manage the skin barrier and aggravating factors together. This is necessary. It is also more realistic to set treatment goals focused on reducing the frequency and intensity of exacerbations and restoring sleep and daily life, rather than aiming to eliminate the condition all at once.

 

 

II. What symptoms appear, and why do they recur?

If you scratch due to itching, the skin barrier is further damaged and inflammation worsens, causing itching to return. The vicious cycle of itching and scratching This can occur. Symptoms may become more pronounced, especially at night, on days when you sweat a lot, in dry weather, wearing rough clothing, or after stress or lack of sleep.

 

Since the reaction to the same stimulus can vary depending on the season and the condition of your skin on that particular day, it is best not to jump to conclusions about the cause based on a single experience. If clothes that were fine yesterday feel itchy today, it may not be because the clothes were changed, but rather because the elasticity of your skin barrier has decreased.

 

Simply recording the items below by date will help you find your own repeating patterns.

 

Record Item	Try writing it like this
itch	Area and intensity (0~10), time of worsening
sleep	Time of falling asleep, number of times woken up by itching
Shower · Moisturizing	Water temperature and time, and the time when moisturizer was applied
Sweat · Exercise	Type of exercise, time taken to change clothes after sweating
Food and Drink	Food and alcohol consumption different from usual
Medicines and products used	Type of ointment and applied area, newly used cleanser or cosmetics

 

However, do not restrict various foods indiscriminately based solely on test results or information found on the internet. Unnecessary restrictions can lead to nutritional imbalances and cause you to miss truly important aggravating factors. The connection between food and symptoms is determined together with medical staff based on records. It is safe to do so.

 

📌 Itching that worsens at night disrupts sleep and exacerbates symptoms (Image for illustrative purposes)

 

III. How are helpful tips for treating atopic dermatitis applied in Korean traditional medicine?

In Korean medicine, even with the same diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, the direction of treatment is assessed differently depending on whether heat sensation, redness, and oozing are prominent, whether dryness, scaling, and skin thickening are the central features, and whether the condition is in the acute or stable phase.

 

We also examine digestive status, sleep, stress, and bodily changes such as menstruation, childbirth, and menopause, along with the timing of symptom exacerbation. Rather than focusing solely on the skin, we identify when and under what circumstances symptoms changed to review herbal medicine and external treatments tailored to the patient's constitution and disease stage.

 

 

Moisturizing is recommended as a fundamental aspect of atopic dermatitis management. Rather than stopping moisturizing just because symptoms have improved, maintaining the same habit even during stable periods helps to extend the intervals between recurrences.

 

When considering herbal medicine, you must disclose your pregnancy or breastfeeding status, any underlying medical conditions, and any medications or health supplements you are currently taking, and confirm the feasibility of concurrent treatment. It is safer to share your treatment details with your medical team and make adjustments rather than arbitrarily discontinuing your existing prescription.

 

IV. Are there any precautions to take or common misconceptions during treatment?

You should not attribute temporary redness or severe itching during treatment entirely to the recovery process or a so-called "healing crisis." You must first check for other causes, such as sweat, friction, irritation from new cosmetics, issues with medication usage, or skin infections.

 

Topical steroids are a fundamental treatment for controlling inflammation during acute exacerbations, and the appropriate strength and dosage based on the affected area, age, and severity of symptoms are crucial. Applying too little or stopping abruptly out of unfounded fear can lead to a cycle of worsening and recurrence. Please consult with the prescribing specialist regarding the method for reducing dosage once the condition improves.

 

 

V. In what cases should I consider medical treatment before lifestyle tips?

When itching frequently wakes you up or interferes with work or studies, when oozing and scabbing recur, or when the condition spreads to difficult-to-manage areas such as the face or around the eyes, an accurate diagnosis and severity assessment are paramount. Since atopic dermatitis is diagnosed by comprehensively considering symptoms, medical history, and the shape and distribution of lesions, it is also necessary to distinguish it from other eczematous diseases.

 

When choosing a medical institution, check whether they ask about not only your current skin condition but also previous treatments, aggravating factors, sleep and living environment, and medications you are taking. They evaluate your condition based on extensive experience in treating skin diseases and research data, but Explaining the criteria for tracking progress It is also a good idea to check.

 

The management plan should be divided into acute phase remission, stable phase maintenance, and early response to signs of relapse. The duration of treatment varies depending on the duration and severity of the illness, the presence of infection, previous treatment history, and living conditions.

 

 

 

🍵 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does atopic dermatitis treatment take?

A1. There is no fixed duration, and it varies depending on the extent and severity of symptoms, the duration of the condition, the presence of accompanying infections, and the consistency of lifestyle management. Since there is significant individual variation, it is recommended to periodically evaluate the progress based on skin photographs and records of itching and sleep.

 

Q2. Is it okay to receive steroid ointment and traditional Korean medicine treatment together?

A2. Whether to use concurrent medication depends on the type, site, dosage, and general health condition of the medication currently in use. Since individual differences exist, you must inform both healthcare providers of your prescription and consult with the prescribing specialist regarding dose reduction or discontinuation.

 

Q3. Does bathing frequently make atopic dermatitis worse?

A3. Rather than judging solely by the frequency, water temperature, duration, and the order of cleansing and moisturizing are important. Although individual differences exist, it is generally recommended to wash briefly with lukewarm water, avoid rubbing, and apply moisturizer before the skin dries.

 

Q4. How many times a day should I apply moisturizer?

A4. Rather than setting a fixed frequency, it is more realistic to reapply whenever your skin feels tight or dry. In particular, it is best not to skip applying it immediately after washing your face or before going to sleep, and the frequency naturally increases during dry seasons or in indoor environments with strong heating or cooling. It is more helpful to consistently use a product that suits you well and is gentle, rather than switching products frequently.

 

🌿 Wrapping up

The key to effective tips for treating atopic dermatitis is not one special method. Management principles that can be repeated daily It lies in establishing a routine. Wash your skin gently and moisturize immediately, and try recording your patterns of itching, sleep, sweat, and stress.

 

It is important to plan for not delaying necessary treatment during periods of severe inflammation and to detect signs of recurrence early during stable periods. Even when combining herbal medicine or topical treatments, you must fully communicate your current medications and physical condition.

 

The same method does not produce the same effect for everyone. Please carefully consider whether this is the right choice for your skin condition, and if symptoms persist or an infection is suspected, please consult a medical professional specializing in skin diseases.

 

📚 Reference Materials

The medical content of this column was written with reference to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Atopic Dermatitis, data on atopic dermatitis from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Health Information Portal, and other sources.