- Allergens: Proteins that cause an allergic reaction. These substances cause the release of chemical mediators from our white blood cells.
- Antigen: Same as an allergen.
- Atopy: Atypical reaction to the environment, relating to allergies. The immune system reacts with a release of chemical mediators.
- Chemical Mediators: White blood cells contain chemicals that will cause itching, congestion, sneezing, asthma, and inflammation once these chemicals are released into the bloodstream.
- Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics or topical (placed on the surface) antibiotics can be used at times to treat Atopic dermatitis.
- Antihistamines: Stop the release of histamine, which causes itching. There are two classes of antihistamines, sedating and non-sedating.
- Atopic March: The idea that atopic dermatitis leads to the progression of other allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. This occurs because the skin acts as an entry point for allergens, which then becomes an activation point for immunologic cells that migrate to different areas of the body.
- Calcineurin Inhibitors: Pimecrolimus called Elidel® 1%, and Tacrolimus® , called Protopic® 0.03% and 0.1%. These preparations reduce the cascade of inflammation, or the cycle of constant release of mediators that keep the skin irritated.
- Environmental Allergens: Things in the environment that can cause an allergic reaction.
- Histamine: A major chemical mediator released by white blood cells. You have felt histamine before; remember the last time you were bit by a mosquito. The mosquito injects the histamine into the skin and it gets itchy and red and inflamed.
- Hot Spot: Areas of the skin that are flared up, sends signals out to the rest of the skin to react
- Secondary Skin Infection: A bacterial infection that occurs on the skin because the person with Atopic dermatitis is more vulnerable to these infections. The surface of the skin is not intact or functioning as a protective barrier. Typically, the bacterium is Staphylococcus aureus. The individual can be affected by the bacteria or even react to the bacteria in a superantigen complex. Fungal infections can also occur, as a form of skin infection.
- Superantigen: The individual with atopic dermatitis is not able to eradicate the Staphylococcus aureus and the interaction on the skin with the individual’s immune system causes an increase in inflammation on the surface of the skin.
- Topical Corticosteroids: Steroid containing creams and ointments. These preparations help stop the inflammation of the skin, but some can lead to thinning of the skin, irritation of the skin, or in large quantities may be systemically absorbed.
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