Eczema – KidsHealth

Most kids get itchy rashes at one time or another. But eczema can be a nuisance that may prompt scratching that makes the problem worse.

The term eczema refers to a number of different skin conditions in which the skin is red and irritated and sometimes hassmall, fluid-filled bumps that become moist and ooze. The most common cause of eczema is atopic dermatitis (sometimes called infantile eczema), which affects older kids as well asinfants.

The word "atopic" describes conditions that happen when someone is overly sensitive to allergens in the environment. These include pollens, molds, dust, animal dander, and certain foods. "Dermatitis" means that the skin is inflamed, or red and sore.

Kids who get eczema often have family members with hay fever, asthma, or other allergies. Some experts think these kids may be genetically inclined to get eczema, which means characteristics have been passed on from parents through genes that make a child more likely to get it.

About half of the kids who get eczema will also someday develop hay fever or asthma themselves. Eczema is not an allergy itself, but allergies can trigger it. Some environmental factors (such as excessive heat or emotional stress) also can trigger the condition.

About 1 out of every 10 kids will develop eczema. Typically, symptoms appear within the first few months of life, and almost always before a child turns 5. But the good news is that more than half of the kids who have eczema today will be over it by the time they're teenagers.

Signs and symptoms of eczema can vary widely during the early phases. Between 2 and 6 months of age (and almost always before they're 5 years old), kids with eczema usually develop itchy, dry, red skin and small bumps on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. The rash may spread to the arms and legs and the trunk, and red, crusted, or open lesions may appear on any area affected.

They also may have circular, slightly raised, itchy, and scaly rashes in the bends of the elbows, behind the knees, or on the backs of the wrists and ankles.

As kids get older, the rash is usually scalier than it was when the eczema first began, and the skin is extremely itchy and dry. These symptoms also tend to worsen and improve over time, with flare-ups occurring periodically.

Children often try to relieve the itching by rubbing the affected areas with a hand or anything within reach. But scratching can make the rash worse and eventually lead to thickened, brownish areas on the skin. This is why eczema is often called the "itch that rashes" rather than the "rash that itches."

In many cases, eczema goes into remission and symptoms may disappear altogether for months or even years.

For many kids, it begins to improve by the age of 5 or 6; others may have flare-ups throughout adolescence and early adulthood.

In some kids, the condition may improve but then restart as they enterpuberty, when hormones, stress, and irritating skin products or cosmetics are introduced. Some people will have some degree of dermatitis into adulthood, with areas of itching and a dry, scaly appearance.

Eczema is not contagious, so there's no need to keep a baby or child who has it away from siblings, other kids, or anyone else.

Scientists believe that eczema is inherited, so there's no way to prevent it. But because specific triggers can make it worse, flare-ups can be prevented or improved by avoiding possible triggers. These include:

Also, curbing the tendency to scratch the rash can prevent the condition from worsening and progressing to cause more severe skin damage or a secondary infection.

Diagnosing eczema can be challenging because:

If your doctor suspects eczema, a thorough medical history is likely to be the best diagnostic tool. A personal or family history of hay fever, other allergies, or asthma is often an important clue.

Besides doing a physical examination, the doctor will likely ask about your child's symptoms and past health, your family's health, any medicines your child is taking, any allergies your child may have, and other issues.

The doctor will also help you identify things in your child's environment that might be addingto the skin irritation. For example, if your child began using a new soap or lotion before the symptoms started, mention this to the doctor because something in the soap might be irritating the skin.

The doctor also mightask about any stress your childis feeling at home, school, or elsewhere because stress can lead to eczema flare-ups.

Your doctor will also probably:

The doctor will want to rule out other diseases and conditions that can cause skin inflammation. So your child might need to be seen more than once before a diagnosis is made. The doctor might recommend sending your child to a dermatologist or an allergist.

An allergist can testto see if the rash is an allergic reaction to a substance. This might involve one or more of the following:

Your doctor also may ask you to eliminate certain foods (such as eggs, milk, soy, or nuts) from your child's diet, switch detergents or soaps, or make other changes for a time to find out whether your child has a reaction to something.

Topical corticosteroids, also called cortisone or steroid creams or ointments, are commonly used to treat eczema and are not the same as the steroids used by some athletes. These medicines are usually applied directly to the affected areas twice a day.

Continue to apply the corticosteroids for as long as the doctor suggests. It's also important not to use a topical steroid prescribed for someone else. These creams and ointments vary in strength, and using the wrong strength in sensitive areas can damage the skin, especially in infants.

Nonsteroid medications are also available now in creams or ointments that can be used instead of or in conjunction with topical steroids.

Other prescription treatments your doctor may recommend include:

Some older kids with severe eczema also may be treated with ultraviolet light under the supervision of a dermatologist to help clear it up and make them more comfortable. In some cases, newer medications that change the way the skin's immune system reacts are also prescribed.

You can help prevent or treat eczema by keeping your child's skin from becoming dry or itchy and avoiding known triggers that cause flare-ups. Try to follow these suggestions:

Although eczema can be annoying and uncomfortable for kids, its emotional impact can become the most significant problem later especially during the preteen and teen years, when your child will need to take responsibility for following the prevention and treatment strategies.

You can help by teaching your preteen or teen to:

Children and teens with eczema are prone to skin infections, especially with staph bacteria and herpesvirus. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the early signs of skin infection, which may include:

Also, call your doctor if you notice a sudden change or worsening of the eczema,or if it isn't responding to the doctor's recommendations.

Even though eczema can be bothersome for kids and parents alike, taking some precautions and following the doctor's orders can help to keep it under control.

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Eczema - KidsHealth