We all recognise that not everybody has
beautifully clear skin. Some have dry and blotchy skin. Others have
blemishes, too much pigment, or too little. In this chapter we describe
some common skin problems that you may encounter.
Atopy and atopic skin
About 20% of the population have the inherited condition called atopy,
which can lead to
|
|
various degrees of dry skin or even eczema.
People with this problem need to take extra care of their skin.
Atopic skin tends to have a higher than average
TEWL and loses water readily. It can be very sensitive to irritants.
No one knows the precise cause of atopy, except
that it has a genetic component: 70% of patients with atopic dermatitis
have at least one relative who suffers from either eczema, asthma
or hay fever. |
