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Atopic dermatitis treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

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Can I talk to a doctor on Maple about my atopic dermatitis?

Yes, you can. In many cases, no lab testing is needed to identify atopic dermatitis. The healthcare practitioner or dermatologist will more likely want to evaluate the symptoms or signs of atopic dermatitis that you’re experiencing and discuss your medical history.

Occasionally, the healthcare provider may suggest patch testing done on the affected skin, in order to rule out other conditions and provide a clear atopic dermatitis diagnosis.

Once the healthcare practitioner is able to offer a diagnosis for atopic dermatitis, they can suggest atopic dermatitis treatments that will work best for you.

Can I get a prescription on Maple?

Yes, our physicians can prescribe atopic dermatitis medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for atopic dermatitis, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

What is atopic dermatitis?

Dermatitis is the general term used to describe skin irritation. Dermatitis can appear in a number of different forms, resulting from different causes.

Atopic dermatitis (also sometimes called eczema), is a common form of dermatitis that typically occurs in children, although it can appear at any age. It’s a chronic form of dermatitis, which tends to flare-up periodically and could be accompanied by either asthma or hay fever.

What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?

The symptoms and signs of atopic dermatitis can vary from one person to another, and atopic dermatitis symptoms can range from mild or severe. It often begins before children reach the age of five, and persists through into adulthood in some cases.

The most common signs of atopic dermatitis include:

  • Cracked, scaly skin
  • Thickening of skin in affected areas
  • Small, raised bumps on the skin that may crust over or leak fluid when scratched
  • Dry skin
  • Itching (occurring most severely at night)
  • Sensitive, swollen, or raw skin resulting from scratching
What causes atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is caused by a genetic variation that affects our skin’s ability to retain moisture and provide protection from irritants, allergens, and bacteria.

Sometimes in children, food allergies can cause atopic dermatitis flare-ups to occur.

As well, certain risk factors can cause the risks of atopic dermatitis appearing to increase, such as:

  • Allergies
  • Personal or family history of eczema
  • Asthma
  • Hay fever
How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed?

Normally, your healthcare provider will be able to identify and diagnose atopic dermatitis by evaluating symptoms and discussing your personal and family medical histories.

Occasionally, the healthcare practitioner may suggest that you visit a dermatologist or have additional testing (like patch testing) performed to rule out other skin diseases. This may also help identify other conditions that could be accompanying your atopic dermatitis symptoms.

Once your healthcare team is able to provide a clear diagnosis for atopic dermatitis, they can suggest appropriate atopic dermatitis treatments for you. This includes any prescription atopic dermatitis medications that may be required as part of your treatment plan.

How is atopic dermatitis treated?

Finding effective atopic dermatitis treatments that will work best for you can be challenging. You may need to try a variety of atopic dermatitis treatments to find one that works best.

The clinical approach to managing atopic dermatitis is a combination of treatments, designed to reduce symptoms. This could include:

  • Patient education
  • Eliminating exacerbating factors
  • Avoiding allergens
  • Maintaining skin hydration (using emollients and moisturizers)
  • Bathing or showering regularly (avoid hot water and moisturize immediately afterwards)

Even with successful atopic dermatitis treatments, symptoms could eventually return.

There are a number of helpful therapies that can be used to treat signs of atopic dermatitis, such as:

  • Counselling (to manage the mental health impacts atopic dermatitis can cause)
  • Light therapy\
  • Wet dressings
  • Techniques to reduce scratching (i.e., behaviour modification, biofeedback, relaxation, etc.)

In addition to these, there are a number of helpful prescription atopic dermatitis medications that can help you manage your symptoms, such as:

  • Antibiotics to fight infection
  • Topical creams
  • Oral medications to manage inflammation
When to see a doctor for atopic dermatitis?

If you’ve been experiencing atopic dermatitis symptoms, and it’s having an impact on your daily life, you should talk to a healthcare practitioner.

A healthcare provider from Maple can help provide you with a clear diagnosis for atopic dermatitis, and offer tools you may need to manage your symptoms. This includes any potential prescription atopic dermatitis medications you may require for treatment.

Atopic dermatitis can be frustrating and embarrassing, but you don’t have to manage your symptoms alone. Book a call with a healthcare practitioner from Maple today, and let us help you take back control of your health.

What is Maple?

With Maple, you can start talking to a doctor about your symptoms in a matter of minutes. We’re a healthcare app for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian doctors.

You simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll immediately connect you to a doctor via live chat or video. You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Our doctors can assess symptoms, and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.

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