Depending on the hormonal levels of the body are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis – eczema. The women They often have a deterioration in skin disease a few days before the menstrual cycle, but also during pregnancy or menopause.
A systematic review of 16 studies on the menstrual cycle and atopic dermatitis, performed by the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and published online in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, found that premenstrual echoes of the apocalyptic dermatitis are among them are Women.
All studies included in it reported deterioration of atopic dermatitis before the onset of menstruation – in 13.5% – 50% of those participants in these symptoms worsened. The deterioration was more common and more intense at younger ages, in people with allergies, with higher levels of total immunoglobulin E. According to the findings of recession, it began to be observed after the onset of menstruation.
‘Atopic dermatitis, a condition characterized by persistent inflammationaffected by sex hormones. Their effect varies between men and women – women are more likely to develop it after adolescence, compared to men who have a higher rate before it. Testosterone appears to suppress the TH2 cells associated with the condition, while female hormones enhance their activity.
The deterioration is also attributed to the increased skin permeability, changes in the neuropeptides of the skin that stimulate the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid and other factors, “explains Dermatologist – Aphrodisiologist Dr. Christos Stamou.
What is atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a chronic skin disease that causes women dry, itchy and inflammatory skin. Symptoms may include skin rash, dry or cracked skin, severe itching, red brown or gray spots and sometimes small, full of wet bumps. The rash can occur in various parts of the body and be more apparent in some areas, such as elbows and knees. The cracked and rough skin is more vulnerable to bacterial or viral infections.
The chronic nature of atopic dermatitis can have a significant impact on mental health and well -being.
Hormonal changes and atopic dermatitis
There are many factors that cause eczema and changes in hormone levels are one of them. Hormones affect two types of immunocytes, TH1 and TH2 cells. Th2 cells have been linked to allergic reactions and eczema.
Some hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, can cause more Th2 activity while androgens to reduce it. As the levels of these hormones are not stable but change, corresponding changes are observed in the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Hormones that often aggravate eczema, estrogens and progesterone are female. This can explain why eczema is more common in women than in men.
Periods with intense hormonal fluctuations
In addition to the menstrual cycle, which is observed of symptoms a week before the beginning of the period, due to the decrease in estrogen levels and the rapid growth of progesterone, severe hormonal fluctuations in women occur during pregnancy and menopause.
During pregnancy, there is a greater activity of TH2 immunocytes, while during menopause the levels of both progesterone and estrogen are reduced. While this can lead to a reduced activity of Th2 immunocytes and the recession of symptoms, the fall of estrogen causes drier skin, changes in the skin microbiome and slower rehabilitation of skin lesions – changes that can aggravate their symptoms.
“Many of the outbreaks of the disease are due to normal hormonal fluctuations. The control and treatment of symptoms is not related to the balancing of hormones but to how to manage them.
Patients should be aware that the condition is persistent and resistant to treatment And to control the symptoms it takes patience and time. In addition to regular skin hydration, there are various drugs that calm itching and control inflammation. These include corticosteroids and calcineirin inhibitors. Medicines are also recommended to combat infection and antihistamines. In addition to oral treatment, in some cases injectable drug administration is required.
Phototherapy, either in itself or in combination with medicines, is extremely effective for the recession of symptoms. It is a useful therapeutic option that reduces inflammation and other symptoms, such as itching and redness with controlled application of ultraviolet (UV) light at specific and safe wavelengths.
The most common type of phototherapy uses a narrow B (NB-UVB) UV radiation, but UVA (UVA) radiation can also be used, which is available in some different forms, or the combination of both. Phototherapy helps eczema by suppressing the hyperactive immune cells on the skin, which are those that trigger much of the inflammation associated with the disease.
The therapeutic plan is personalized, taking into account the type of skin, the type and the number of previous treatments, the presence of other conditions and taking other medicines.
Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment can minimize systemic inflammation, possibly preventing “atopic course” and reducing the psychosocial weight of the disease, “concludes Dr. Stamou.