Eczema

Atopic dermatitis [ey-TOP-ik dur-muh-TIE-tis], also known as eczema [EK-suh-mah], is a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition. It’s most common in babies and children, but adults can have it, too. As children with this condition get older, it may get better or go away. Or, the skin may stay dry and get irritated easily. In adults it tends to come and go for a long time.

People with atopic dermatitis may lack certain proteins that maintain the skin’s barrier to water. This can cause the skin to be very sensitive to irritants and more likely to get skin infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungus.

The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:

• Dry, itchy skin (itching may begin before the rash appears)
• Raw, red skin with blisters that weep clear fluid or crust over—caused by scratching
• Rashes on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet
• Thickened areas of skin from long-term scratching

Call your healthcare provider if:

• Symptoms do not get better with the care you give at home.
• The treatment your healthcare provider recommends does not work.
• You show signs of an infection—such as red and painful skin.

You should not get the smallpox vaccine if you have atopic dermatitis. It could cause a serious reaction.

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known. It does not spread from person to person, and you cannot “catch” it.

Atopic dermatitis appears to be linked to both genetic (inherited from parents) and environmental factors. It’s more common in children whose parents have asthma or allergies. About 1 in 3 children with atopic dermatitis also have food allergies. People who live in cities or in dry climates are also more likely to have eczema.

People with eczema may find that common products, situations, or even foods cause the condition to flare up. These are sometimes referred to as “triggers.” Knowing your triggers can help you control your symptoms. Common eczema triggers include:

• Soaps and household cleaners
• Fragrances in perfumes and lotions
• Wool and polyester fabrics
• Pet dander
• Cigarette smoke
• Emotional stress
• Sweating

There is no test for atopic dermatitis. To find out if you have it, your healthcare provider may:

• Look closely at your skin
• Ask about your personal medical history
• Ask about your family’s medical history
• Do a skin test to try to find out if you something else is causing your itchy skin

In some cases your healthcare provider may refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin problems (a dermatologist) or to an allergy specialist.

There is no cure for atopic dermatitis. The goals of treatment are to reduce itching and keep the skin moisturized. Your healthcare provider can help you make a plan.

Care at home can include:

• Avoid scratching. Relieve itch by using topical steroid cream or taking an over-the-counter antihistamine medicine.
• Keep skin moist by using creams, lotions or ointment (such as petroleum jelly) 2 or 3 times a day. Use products that are free of alcohol, scents, or dyes that can irritate the skin.
• Take cooler baths and apply lotion or cream while skin is still damp.
• Avoid products or other things that make symptoms worse. These can include wool, lanolin (an oily substance from wool that can be used in lotions), and strong soaps.
• Keep fingernails short to reduce harm from scratching. Wear light gloves if nighttime scratching is a problem.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine, a stronger cortisone cream, or recommend other treatments.

You cannot prevent atopic dermatitis. You can avoid things that make you symptoms worse or cause flare ups.

MedlinePlus

National Eczema Association

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology