The Challenges of Atopic Dermatitis in Adolescents
By Hwang Gyu-Jun, Star Daily News Journalist
Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as atopy, is a disease that can affect individuals of any age and pose significant challenges for patients. However, it is particularly important to exercise caution when dealing with juvenile atopy, as symptoms in teenagers can manifest suddenly and aggressively compared to children and adult patients. Adolescence is a crucial period of rapid physical and mental development, and the worsening of atopic dermatitis during this time can lead to extreme stress. For parents of teenagers with atopy, it is vital to pursue treatment based on a comprehensive understanding of the disease.
Juvenile atopic dermatitis not only causes physical discomfort with persistent itching, but it also diminishes self-confidence due to visible inflammation. This, in turn, can result in disrupted sleep, poor concentration, and academic underachievement. Recognizing the impact of these challenges, Director Cho Jae-Myeong from the Cheonan Branch of the Free Hugs Clinic advises starting treatment early.
It is common to assume that the cause of atopy lies solely in the skin, focusing solely on its visible symptoms. However, in reality, the root cause of atopy stems from excess heat and toxins within the body.
The hormonal changes and secondary sexual characteristics that occur during puberty render the immune system more unstable. Furthermore, the increased metabolic rate generates additional heat inside the body, making individuals more susceptible to developing atopic dermatitis. Additionally, the daily routines of young people often involve consuming highly caffeinated drinks and ready-made meals, predominantly within the confines of schools or academies.
Habits such as consuming high-fat, high-calorie foods, eating late at night, or overeating can burden the digestive system, leading to a decline in its function. This, in turn, contributes to the accumulation of excess heat and toxins in the body. Excessive heat intensifies the skin’s dryness and causes inflammatory reactions, while toxins disrupt the immune system, both contributing to the development and exacerbation of atopy.
During the summer months, managing atopic dermatitis can become even more challenging. High humidity and intense sunlight increase heat stimulation on the skin, while the use of air conditioning indoors can further dry out the skin.
In oriental medicine, the treatment approach for juvenile atopy focuses on alleviating excess heat and toxins. By rectifying imbalances, normalizing bowel function, and reducing skin heat and redness, visible relief from the persistent itching that plagues patients day and night is achievable.
If you are a young individual with atopic dermatitis, it is crucial to approach treatment with consideration for your unique constitution and symptoms, rather than solely attempting to alleviate immediate inflammation, heat sensation, and itching. Additionally, practicing restraint in late-night snacking and avoiding excessive overeating can make a noticeable difference in symptom management. Even in the midst of a busy schedule, incorporating activities such as stretching and light exercise can greatly contribute to improving symptoms.
[스타데일리뉴스=황규준 기자] Atopy is a disease that appears regardless of age and makes patients difficult. Among them, juvenile atopy should be cautious because symptoms may appear suddenly and violently compared to children or adult atopic patients. During adolescence, adolescence is a period of rapid physical and mental development. If atopy worsens during this period, it can lead to extreme stress. Therefore, if you are a parent with an atopic teenager, it is important to proceed with treatment based on an accurate understanding of the disease.
Cho Jae-myeong, director of Cheonan Branch of Oriental Free Hugs Clinic
Cho Jae-myung, director of the Cheonan Branch of the Free Hugs Clinic, said, “Atopic dermatitis among young people not only reduces self-confidence due to reddened inflammation, but also causes itching that persists day and night, which can cause ailments sleeping, poor concentration, and poor academic achievement. We recommend starting,” he said.
It is easy to think that the cause of atopy is in the skin if you only look at the visible symptoms. However, the cause of atopy does not lie in the skin, but in excess heat and toxins in the body.
In puberty, rapid hormonal changes and secondary sexual characteristics make the immune system unstable. Moreover, due to the increase in the metabolic rate, the heat inside the human body increases, making it easy to develop atopic dermatitis. In addition, young people spend most of their daily lives in schools or academies, and often consume highly caffeinated drinks or ready meals.
Continuing the habit of eating high fat, high calorie foods or eating late at night or overeating can put a burden on the digestive system and lead to a decline in digestive function, leading to excess heat and toxins. Excessive heat makes the skin hot and dry, causing an inflammatory reaction, and toxins destabilize the immune system, leading to atopy.
Especially in the summer like these days, it can be more difficult as the symptoms of atopy worsen. This is because high humidity and strong sunlight increase heat stimulation on the skin, and running indoor air conditioners makes the skin dry.
In oriental medicine, it aims to relieve excessive heat and toxins for the treatment of juvenile atopy. Correcting excess heat and toxins can normalize bowel function, reduce skin heat and redness, and visibly reduce itching that plagues day and night.
If you are a young atopic dermatitis patient, you should start treatment on a case-by-case basis according to your individual constitution and symptoms, rather than focusing only on improving immediate inflammation, heat sensation, and itching. In addition, refrain from late night snacks or repeated overeating, and even if you are busy, you can get help to improve your symptoms if you manage your life properly, such as stretching and light exercise.
#Adolescent #atopy #affecting #academics #Star #Daily #News
