![]() Instead, they continue the inflammatory process, so the skin continues to react, even when your skin looks clear.Įven when you have no visible rash, the underlying inflammation is still active beneath your skin. The immune cells release substances that cause the familiar redness and rash on the skin's surface.Īlthough these substances normally go away after a short time, if you have atopic dermatitis, the cells don't switch off like they should. Once in the lymph nodes, these immune cells activate your body's defenders, called T helper cells. These immune cells travel to the lymph nodes, which are in the second layer of skin, called the dermis. Once these foreign substances have broken through the skin barrier, immune cells alert the body that It's under attack. The damage done by scratching also contributes to the breakdown of skin cells, making it easier for foreign substances to get in. When you have atopic dermatitis, the outer layer of skin is weaker and more susceptible to inflammation caused by immune cells in the body. In healthy skin, the tough outer layer called the epidermis keeps foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, and allergens from getting in. While scratching may offer short-term relief, in the long run you're actually making your atopic dermatitis-and the itch-worse. It is this internal inflammation that causes the symptoms you know.Ītopic dermatitis is called the "itch that rashes" for a reason. It's a disease caused by an overactive immune system that leads to inflammation in your body. While the redness and rash of atopic dermatitis are visible on your skin, the real story may be happening beneath the surface.Ītopic dermatitis is more than a skin condition.
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