We are the combination of four hospitals: the General Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the Women’s Hospital and the Traumatology, Rehabilitation and Burns Hospital. We are part of the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus: a world-leading health park where healthcare plays a crucial role.
Below we will list the departments and units that form part of Vall d’Hebron Hospital and the main diseases that we treat. We will also make recommendations based on advice backed up by scientific evidence that has been shown to be effective in guaranteeing well-being and quality of life.
Vols saber com serà la teva estada a l’Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron? Aquí trobaràs tota la informació.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is the most frequent chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease in children. It manifests with outbreaks of reddened skin with peeling –eczema– which are more or less extensive, with intense itchiness, causing the need to scratch. This causes wounds on the eczema which often become superinfected. It is a disease which affects the quality of life of patients and those around them.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease. It is known for manifesting in outbreaks, being reversible and for unpredictable progression during the patient’s life. The most frequent cutaneous disease in children. Patients have very itchy, dry skin, as well as a hyperactive immune response to environmental factors. Intense itchiness leads to uncontrolled scratching, which causes wounds on the eczema. These can be complicated by infection and can cause great anxiety in patients and their families.
Atopic dermatitis is a multifaceted disease caused by a combination of many factors, including:
Common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:
Clinical presentation, characteristics of symptoms and initial signs depend on the patient’s age but, in all cases, axillary and inguinal folds are usually unaffected.
The most frequent cutaneous disease in children. Usually begins during childhood and most cases are resolved during adolescence. Although some paediatric patients are affected by the disease until adulthood. Atopic dermatitis can also sometimes begin in adults, young adults or even at an advanced age.
Atopic dermatitis is always diagnosed according to clinical criteria and generally does not require complementary tests. Currently, diagnosis and assessment of the severity of the disease are clinical with the doctor examining the patient.
A skin biopsy should be considered to exclude other conditions, including early stage T-cell cutaneous lymphoma, psoriasis or dermatitis herpetiformis.
Atopic dermatitis is not an allergic condition but children with the disease may suffer:
If rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis or any food allergy is associated or suspected, the patent will be referred to the Allergology Department.
The main goal of treatment is to maintain the skin free from eczema outbreaks. Therefore, hygiene measures will be prescribed to keep the skin moisturised and less susceptible to inflammation. External factors that can trigger skin inflammation should also be avoided.
Topical corticosteroids, topical immunomodulators and oral antihistamines are used to control minor to moderate outbreaks of atopic dermatitis in order to reduce inflammation and itchiness. Topical or oral antibiotics may be necessary in case of eczema superinfection.
Controlling severe outbreaks may require systemic treatment, such as:
Prevention is essential to avoid the inflammatory response associated with eczema:
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