[Health Column] The Difference Between Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema: Why Is It Necessary to Distinguish Them Even Though They Look Similar?

 

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

 

When the skin becomes red, itchy, and flaky, many people ask, "Is this eczema or atopic dermatitis?" If the itching and flaking extend to the face or scalp as well, you may become even more confused, wondering if it might be seborrheic dermatitis.

 

In reality, it is difficult to distinguish atopic dermatitis and eczema as completely separate concepts; one must examine their location and pattern on the skin, as well as their recurring processes. Today, I will explain step-by-step everything from the differences between atopic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis to how to differentiate them and the precautions to take when self-diagnosing atopic dermatitis.

 

I. What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema? Are they different skin diseases?

First, it is important to note that atopic dermatitis and eczema should not be viewed as completely opposing diseases. Eczema is a variety of skin conditions characterized by inflammation of the skin, accompanied by itching, redness, scaling, and oozing. comprehensive concept And, atopic dermatitis is also included in eczematous skin diseases.

 

In addition to atopic dermatitis, there are various types of eczema, such as contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and nummular eczema. Therefore, it is difficult to determine that it is atopic dermatitis solely because the skin is itchy and red.

 

Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively examine the medical history and the location and appearance of the skin lesions. Since various conditions are encompassed under the single term 'eczema,' rather than determining a name... Under what conditions it is repeated The process of verifying it comes first.

 

II. How do you distinguish between atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis?

If dermatitis appears on the scalp or face, it is also necessary to distinguish it from seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis primarily occurs on areas with high sebum secretion, such as the scalp and face, and may manifest as red skin and scaly flaking.

 

In contrast, atopic dermatitis in adults can appear not only on the face and neck but also in the creases of the arms and legs, and is characterized by severe itching and skin dryness. If chronic scratching is repeated, changes such as thickening and roughening of the skin may occur.

 

division	seborrheic dermatitis	Adult atopic dermatitis
Areas where it commonly occurs	Areas with high sebum secretion, such as the scalp, forehead, and sides of the nose	Face, neck, and areas where the arms and legs bend, etc.
Main aspects	Red skin and scaly skin	Severe itching, dry skin, and recurring inflammation
lapse	Fluctuations depending on changes in Fiji and the environment	Chronic cycles of improvement and deterioration

 

 

III. Atopic Dermatitis Self-Diagnosis: Should You Suspect It If You Only Have Itching?

Many people search for self-diagnosis items for atopic dermatitis on the internet and check them. If you experience recurring itching and dry skin, or if dermatitis repeatedly occurs on the face, neck, or in the creases of the arms and legs, there may be overlaps with the characteristics of atopic dermatitis.

 

However, having a few symptoms does not mean you can self-diagnose yourself with atopy. Atopic dermatitis is It is not a disease that is judged based on a single test result. Diagnosis is made by comprehensively considering the type and location of symptoms, past medical history, and family history.

 

Therefore, it is appropriate to use self-checks merely as a "reference standard to determine whether medical treatment is necessary."

 

 

IV. After identifying the differences between atopic dermatitis and eczema, how does Korean traditional medicine approach them?

In Korean medical treatment as well, it is important to first identify the characteristics and progression of the current skin lesions. This is because even with the same eczematous symptoms, the current condition can vary depending on whether redness and heat are prominent, whether there is excessive oozing, or whether the skin is very dry and flaky.

 

In addition, we examine digestive status, sleep, stress, and, in the case of women, physical changes such as menstruation, childbirth, and menopause. Based on this, we determine the direction of herbal treatment by considering the individual's constitution and the progression of the disease, and may also provide topical care to manage itching or dryness that may occur during the recovery process.

 

 

V. When should I consider seeing a doctor for certain skin symptoms?

If dermatitis recurs and the cause is difficult to identify, or if itching keeps you awake at night, it is necessary to check your exact condition. In particular, if dandruff on the face and scalp continues to worsen despite being managed simply as seborrheic dermatitis, or if symptoms thought to be eczema persist for a long period, it is important to differentiate it from other skin diseases.

 

Skin diseases not only reduce discomfort during the acute phase but also after symptoms have stabilized The process of identifying factors that cause recurrence It is also necessary. It can be helpful to keep a record of when symptoms worsen, such as during seasonal changes, overwork, stress, sweat, or skin irritation.

 

 

 

🍵 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are atopic dermatitis and eczema completely different diseases?

A1. That is not the case. Eczema is a concept that encompasses various inflammatory skin diseases, and atopic dermatitis is also included in eczematous diseases. However, it is necessary to distinguish between them as the causes, affected areas, and treatment methods can vary depending on the type of eczema.

 

Q2. Can you tell if you have atopic dermatitis just by self-diagnosing?

A2. It is difficult to confirm based on self-diagnosis alone. Since atopic dermatitis is diagnosed by comprehensively considering itching, characteristic skin lesions, affected areas, medical history, and family history, the factors to be verified vary from person to person.

 

Q3. How do you distinguish between seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis?

A3. The location of occurrence and the characteristics of skin lesions are helpful for diagnosis. Seborrheic dermatitis tends to appear in areas with high sebum secretion, such as the scalp and face, whereas adult atopic dermatitis can occur on the face, neck, and the creases of the arms and legs. However, since symptoms vary from person to person, one should not make a definitive diagnosis based solely on location.

 

Q4. If eczema recurs, is it necessarily atopic dermatitis?

A4. No. Since there are various eczematous conditions such as contact dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis, it is difficult to determine it as atopic dermatitis solely on the grounds that it recurs. The cause of the recurrence and the form of the lesions must be examined together.

 

Q5. Should I stop using the skin ointment I was previously using?

A5. It is not recommended to stop taking the medication or change the dosage on your own. Since the method of adjustment varies depending on the type and duration of use and your current skin condition, you should consult with the prescribing medical professional before making a decision.

 

🌿 Wrapping up

When you are curious about the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema, the first thing I would like you to keep in mind is that there is no separate criterion that completely separates the two. Atopic dermatitis exists within the broad category of eczema, and within that... The process of identifying what kind it is This is the medical treatment.

 

Therefore, rather than naming the condition, it is more important to first identify where and under what conditions your skin is deteriorating. Please use the self-diagnosis checklist as a reference; however, if symptoms persist or you notice changes different from usual, I recommend consulting a doctor to have your condition checked.

 

The same method does not produce the same results for everyone. If you are currently using medication, please do not adjust it arbitrarily; instead, please carefully consider whether it is the right choice for your skin condition.

 

📚 Reference Materials

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