Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis (eczema) in Germany
Best hospitals and doctors for atopic dermatitis (eczema) treatment in Germany
Leading hospitals
Cost for treatment
Content
- What is atopic dermatitis?
- Causes
- Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Diagnostics
- Treatment of atopic dermatitis
- Skincare in atopic dermatitis
- Treatment in German hospitals
- The cost of treatment in Germany
- How to go for treatment in Germany?
Atopic dermatitis (or eczema) is a skin disease, in which dryness, itching, peeling, and redness of skin occur. Both adults and children can be diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Treatment of the pathology mostly includes local remedies, i.e. emollients (moisturisers) for everyday application and topical corticosteroids for managing exacerbations. Aim of the treatment is avoiding exacerbations and achieving stable remission.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a disease common in modern society.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is represented by a certain rash cyclicality and the morphological differences of pathological skin elements in different age groups. The term "atopic dermatitis" corresponds to such terms: atopic eczema, severe atopic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis syndrome, diffuse neurodermatitis, chronic allergic dermatitis.
Causes
The allergic component of this skin disease occupies a special place. It is related to the congenital increased sensitivity of the human body to specific foods (milk, egg, gluten, etc.), blooming herbs and trees (for example, birch), and pet wool.
According to studies, non-allergic atopic dermatitis (that is, the one that doesn't depend on allergies present or absent in a particular patient) occurs in about 45 to 64% of children and 40% of adult patients with the disease.
As we see, the percentage of an allergy form of atopic dermatitis isn’t so high.
The causes of atopic dermatitis aren’t clarified. Heredity, apparently, plays an important role, and people that have relatives with diagnosed eczema have an increased risk of developing this disease. Most patients with atopic dermatitis have a genetic anomaly of the outer skin layer (epidermis).
The epidermis is the first line of protection between the body and the environment. When the epidermis is not damaged, it prevents the penetration of environmental toxins, allergens, and microbes into the body and prevents skin from losing too much water. Patients with atopic dermatitis have this barrier less strong and more permeable than it should be.
Despite the widespread opinion, atopic dermatitis in children is rarely associated with food allergies.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Atopic dermatitis is divided into certain stages or phases of development. The disease begins in childhood and progresses in adolescence. The stage of atopic dermatitis reflects manifestations in a certain age group. For each age, there are differences in the skin signs of the atopic dermatitis.
So, atopic dermatitis can be found in infants, children, and adults, which corresponds to atopic dermatitis staging.
Some manifestations of atopic dermatitis are characteristic for both children and adult patients. These include:
- Permanent dry skin surface (develops due to excessive evaporation of moisture, with a lack of lipids in the skin).
- Peeling of the epidermis (appears due to dry skin and due to insufficient regeneration of the top layer cells of the skin).
- Excessive itching (develops because of the dry skin, inflammation in the epidermis, influence of inflammatory mediators, changing the external humidity and air temperature, clothing, psychological factor – the habit of scratching).
- Inflammation of the skin. This presents an immune-inflammatory process, which develops due to an increase in skin sensitivity to a variety of factors, both external and internal ones.
Diagnostics
Most often, patients with atopic dermatitis have the manifestations that are connected with food allergens. Therefore, during the examination of patients with atopic dermatitis, it is necessary to establish the presence of food allergies.
This can be done by conducting several tests:
- Tests for general allergens will give indirect information about the presence of atopic dermatitis.
- Specific allergy tests will make it possible to receive information about a particular allergen.
- Skin biopsy (not indicative for aggravating atopic dermatitis).
All obtained information is evaluated by a dermatologist, and only after the comprehensive examination a course of therapy is administered.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis
The main tactics of the treatment of atopic dermatitis consist in the exclusion of possible allergens, elimination of biologically active substances, regulation of the processes of digestion, liver and pancreas function. Also, the correction of vegetative disorders and improving skin microcirculation are important.
Treatment in childhood, especially in infants, includes a diet eliminating allergens. The treatment of the gastrointestinal tract pathologies and dysbacteriosis is of great importance.
For long-sick patients, it is advisable to take sedatives. During the exacerbation period, antihistamines and immunomodulators are prescribed in courses according to the diagnostic information obtained. Corticosteroids are not the best option in the treatment of eczema since hormone resistance is formed, which leads to the process of weight gaining. Topical corticosteroids are prescribed for a short time during the exacerbation. In the treatment of moderate severity atopic dermatitis after the elimination of acute signs of inflammation, the long-term administration of the non-hormonal creams is recommended.
When the process is complicated by secondary infection, external creams with antibacterial activity are used.
The procedures contributing to moisturizing the skin are of great importance in the treatment of eczema.
It’s important to mention that patients with atopic dermatitis may experience psychological issues, like a tendency to a manifestation of depressive or neurotic health conditions.
Patients with atopic dermatitis experience emotional regulation disorders and, as a result of this, may be socially distant. When such disorders arise, this contributes to a constant itch, that may even deprive a person from sleep. Thus, the value of external therapy increases, which provides not only skin softening, but also eliminates biologically active and destructive substances, improves microcirculation and metabolism in the affected area.
An important aim of the external treatment of atopic dermatitis is to treat the secondary skin infections, so the external therapy should be carried out taking into account the form of the disease, the possible complications, comorbidities with other dermatoses, and the presence or absence of dry skin.
This determines the use of the specific external therapy based on each particular case, taking into account the condition of the patient's skin in a certain period.
Skincare in atopic dermatitis
First and foremost, skincare should be daily and systematic.
Secondly, it is important to avoid excessive duration of showering or generally being in the water for too long. Hot water and sharp fluctuations in water temperature aren’t recommended.
Thirdly, it is desirable to use special bath and shower products developed for people with atopic dermatitis. After washing, it is necessary to neatly dry up the surface of the body with a soft towel and not rub. Next, you need to apply a special moisturizing product for atopic dermatitis on the skin.
When signs of atopic dermatitis appear, it is important to visit a dermatologist. Only a specialist is able to diagnose the pathology, administer the necessary tests and treat atopic dermatitis. And the correct treatment is the key to fast and high-quality recovery.
Treatment in German hospitals
Efficiency indicators of treatment in German hospitals are very high. Therefore, even in the case of chronic pathology, medical tourists are much more likely to achieve remission and forget about their illness, while treating in German hospitals.
The advantages of the German hospitals begin with a flawlessly accurate diagnosis making. The high level of medicine allows German doctors to have consultations with leading doctors from other medical centers, in case of any difficulties.
In all dermatological German hospitals, research is carried out. Therefore the newest methods are quickly and efficiently being introduced into clinical practice.
High-quality medical care concerns all areas of therapeutic and preventive measures in German hospitals. Constantly undergoing the health care certifications, German hospitals guarantee:
- High levels of doctors’ skills and knowledge
- Timely update of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- Effectiveness of drugs (in German hospitals no cheaper alternatives are used)
- Comfortable stay for the patient
Booking Health recommends the German hospitals below for the treatment of atopic dermatitis:
- University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
- University Hospital Ulm
- University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- University Hospital RWTH Aachen
- Charite University Hospital Berlin
- University Hospital Muenster
- University Hospital Bonn
If you need additional information about the German hospitals and treatment of eczema in Germany, leave a request on the Booking Health website.
The cost of treatment in Germany
There are some myths about the cost of treatment in Germany, which one can often find on the web.
One of them is that the prices for procedures aren’t real. After arrival, the cost of treatment in Germany may be higher.
In fact, it’s not like that at all. If you have already paid for treatment, no one will make the cost of treatment in Germany higher. For example, the price for treatment of atopic dermatitis is paid for a medical program that includes examination before the treatment of atopic dermatitis, determination of the type of the disease, and the actual therapy. The cost of treatment in Germany also includes your stay in the ward with the services of medical staff, preparation before the treatment, the necessary drugs and additional medications, the study of material in the laboratory, and control examinations.
Generally, the cost of treatment in Germany with conservative measures starts at 2,682 EUR, while the minimal price for diagnostics is 1,701 EUR.
Contact Booking Health for more information about the cost of treatment in Germany.
How to go for treatment in Germany?
Treatment of atopic dermatitis in Germany attracts people since it is very effective due to the rapid implementation of innovations. German medicine is available to everyone, but not everybody knows how to use his chance. The simplest way is to contact Booking Health and get qualified assistance in organizing treatment in Germany.
Booking Health officially cooperates with leading German hospitals. Booking Health offers a full range of services for organizing a trip to Germany for medical purposes (diagnosis making, treatment, or rehabilitation).
You can leave a request on Booking Health right now, so that a medical advisor could contact you.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed