Atopic Dermatitis is most common in the most developed Westernized countries and least common in most non-Westernized and developing countries. In the United States of America, about 1 in 5 children are affected. In India, the number of patients with Atopic Dermatitis has increased over the last 30 years. It has been observed that when people from developing nations migrate to Westernized countries with a higher prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis, they develop a much greater prevalence of atopic eczema, sometimes even greater than the indigenous population of their adopted homeland. Atopic eczema has been found to be more frequent in children born in England of Asian origin. These findings support the fact that environmental factors do play a significant role in the expression of Atopic Dermatitis in a predisposed person.
Can Eczema be prevented?
Exclusive breast feeding for at least 6 months has been shown to be the best risk reduction factor in the prevention and development of Atopic Dermatitis. Children exclusively breast fed for 4 months or more had significantly less Atopic Dermatitis compared with children receiving partial breast feeding.
Dermatologist Dr Belinda Vaz delves deep into the causes, types and preventive measures for Atopic Dermatitis or eczema in children.
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