If you have Atopic Dermatitis, you may have had one or several infections of the Skin.
- The skin barrier is fragile in atopic dermatitis sufferers and some microbes such as the bacterium staphylococcus aureus are numerous at the surface of the skin, even in uninflamed skin. Skin
- Infections due to staphylococcus aureus may cause painful yellow crusts on the skin and make your atopic dermatitis worse. This type of infection may need treatment with antibiotics prescribed by your clinician, but can often be solved with increased use of steroid creams. Diluted bleach baths, or other disinfectants, can also be helpful here. Consult your clinician to learn which possibilities are available to you.
- People with atopic dermatitis may also experience episodes of skin infection with a virus such as herpes. Therefore, family and friends with a known or suspected history of herpes virus (e.g., cold sores) should avoid contact with atopic dermatitis sufferers when they are having an active outbreak of herpes.
When and how should atopic dermatitis be treated with systemic drugs?