Atopic dermatitis treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners and specialists via secure text, audio or video call. Sign in to your Maple account to start a visit. Learn more about how Maple works here.

A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Paediatric care: covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Privacy is at the core of how we deliver care. We follow Canadian privacy and healthcare laws, including PIPEDA and PHIPA, to protect your personal and health information.

Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.