Impact of environmental factors on the risk of developing atopic dermatitis – literature review

Abstract

Aim of the study The aim of this is to investigate the impact of environmental factors on the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. To go into detail about heritability, in utero exposure, hygiene hypothesis, early life exposure, ultraviolet light exposure, role of allergens, skin and gut microbiota, dietary factors, psychological and neuromodulatory influences [11, 12].

Tasks 1. Discuss epidemiology and pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

2. Describe diagnostic criteria.

3. Evaluate the risks associated with specific environmental factors to develop atopic dermatitis. Specifically, genetic factors, intrauterine factors, early life exposure, and more.

4. Define the factors that can exacerbate the disease or factors that prevent exacerbations.

Materials and methods The materials and methods used are mainly from the past 5 years, older relevant studies were also included. This is because the diagnostic criteria of the American Academy of Dermatology have not revised the diagnostic criteria since 2014 and are still used today. As well as some specific factors have not been studied into detail in the last five years. The main inclusions are articles in German and English found in databases such as 'PubMed, UpToDate, Cochrane Library'. The studies chosen were primarily original studies. Exclusion factors were unreliable sources that had conflict of interests due to questionable founding. As well studies that had low sample sizes or studies that were not statistically significant.

Conclusion Atopic dermatitis is a very complex disease. On one hand diagnosing atopic dermatitis is straight forwards. But on the other hand, since the pathophysiology is not fully known, people suffering from atopic dermatitis are only given symptomatic treatment. Which will alleviate some of the symptoms but does not cure them from atopic dermatitis. There are many factors which might affect either the risk of developing atopic dermatitis, or which worsen symptoms. For example, the FGL null mutations, exposure to pathogens, gestational diabetes, maternal diet and birth weight, deficiencies of vitamins and microelements, extreme weather, air pollution, cleaning products, pet exposure, skin barrier dysfunction and products. There might be more factors, but these have not been studied or founds. In case a patient suffering from atopic dermatitis is exposed to these factors and their symptoms notably worsen, environmental factors should be avoided to further exacerbate the symptoms. This might be individual for each patient but can be extreme climate, household products, exposure to pets and their danger, skin colonisation with Staphylococcus aureus that have been found to aggravate symptoms. More research is needed to better understand this disease and find better treatment methods to relieve the burden on so many people.