Updated on October 23, 2024
Atopic dermatitis is an allergic condition that can lead to other conditions including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.
Transcript
Hi, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. I have atopic dermatitis. Does that put me at risk for other medical conditions?
Hi. That's a great question. Thank you so much for asking. To put it simply, yes, Atopic Dermatitis, or AD,
is associated with other conditions. AD is an allergic condition. And with one allergic condition, your likelihood
of developing another is increased. A common one is asthma which affects the airways in your lungs and makes it difficult to breathe.
Another allergic condition that tends to be associated with atopic dermatitis is food allergies.
An allergic reaction to food can affect the entire body. Symptoms can include breaking out in hives
or you can even have stomach-related symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and cramps. But atopic dermatitis isn't just associated
with other allergic conditions. It can affect the brain, as some research suggests that people with AD tend to have higher rates of mental health
conditions like depression and anxiety. It's important to point out, though, that there's still a lot we don't
know about how exactly AD and these conditions are related. Indirectly, atopic dermatitis can cause temporary hair loss.
AD can cause an overwhelming urge to scratch, and excessive scratching on the scalp can lead to hair loss.
A study also showed that those with AD are at an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis,
an inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints, though it can affect other parts of the body as well.
This same study also showed that those with AD are at an increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease,
like Crohn's disease which affects the digestive tract, and ulcerative colitis which affects the colon.
Of course, we're still learning about AD and how it relates to other disorders. If you have AD talk to your dermatologist to learn more
and develop a plan that works for you. [MUSIC PLAYING]
