Consult your health care provider for diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, because it can be difficult to differentiate from other skin disorders. Treatment should be guided by the health care provider. The goal of treatment is reduction of symptoms. Infantile eczema usually becomes milder with age and often disappears after age 3 or 4. Atopic dermatitis usually responds to home treatment.
Treatment is designed around the chronic nature of the disease.
Anything that aggravates the symptoms should be avoided whenever possible, including any food allergens and environmental irritants such as wool and lanolin. Dry skin often makes the condition worse, so bathing and the use of soaps may be reduced. Temperature changes and stress may cause sweating and changes in the blood vessels of the skin, also aggravating the condition. Topical treatment of weeping lesions may include soothing lotions, mild soaps, or wet dressings. Systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in some severe cases.