Eczema: Symptoms, treatment, causes, and types

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Eczema is a condition wherein patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough. Some types can also cause blisters.

Different types and stages of eczema affect 31.6 million people in the United States, which is over 10% of the population.

Many people use the word eczema when referring to atopic dermatitis, which is the most common type. The term atopic refers to a collection of conditions that involve the immune system, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever. The word dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin.

Certain foods, such as nuts and dairy, can trigger symptoms. Environmental triggers include smoke, pollen, soaps, and fragrances. Eczema is not contagious.

Some people outgrow the condition, whereas others will continue to have it throughout adulthood.

This article will explain what eczema is and discuss its symptoms, treatments, causes, and types.

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can vary depending on the age of the person who has it.

Atopic dermatitis is common in infants, with dry and scaly patches appearing on the skin. These patches are often intensely itchy.

Continuous rubbing and scratching can lead to skin infections. Learn how to identify infected eczema here.

In most cases, however, eczema is mild. The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

Some of the symptoms of eczema are different in people with darker skin. Learn more here.

People with severe eczema will need more intensive treatment to relieve their symptoms.

Most people with the condition develop it before the age of 5 years. However, an estimated 60% of children will no longer show symptoms by adolescence.

People with the condition will often experience periods of time when their symptoms worsen, followed by periods of time when their symptoms will improve or clear up.

The symptoms in children and adults may be different. The following sections will outline some of these differences in more detail.

The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in infants under the age of 2:

The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in children age 2 and above:

The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in adults:

Adults who developed atopic dermatitis as a child but no longer experience the condition may still have dry or easily irritated skin, hand eczema, and eye problems.

The appearance of skin affected by atopic dermatitis will depend on how much a person scratches and whether or not the skin is infected. Scratching and rubbing can further irritate the skin, increase inflammation, and make the itching worse.

There is currently no cure for eczema. Treatment for the condition aims to heal the affected skin and prevent flares of symptoms.

Doctors will suggest a treatment plan based on an individuals age, symptoms, and current state of health.

For some people, eczema goes away over time. For others, however, it is a lifelong condition.

The sections below will list some treatment options.

There are several things that people with eczema can do to support skin health and alleviate symptoms.

For example, they can try:

People can also try various natural remedies for eczema, including aloe vera, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.

Doctors can prescribe several medications to treat the symptoms of eczema, including:

Even though the condition itself is not currently curable, each person should have a tailored treatment plan.

Also, even after an area of skin has healed, it is important to keep looking after it, as it may easily become irritated again.

The specific cause of eczema remains unknown, but many health professionals believe that it develops due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Children are more likely to develop eczema if a parent has it or another atopic condition. If both parents have an atopic condition, the risk is even higher.

Some environmental factors can bring out the symptoms of eczema. These factors include:

There are several types of eczema. Besides atopic dermatitis, other types include:

Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition. The most common type is called atopic dermatitis.

Eczema is most common in children, but the majority grow out of it by the time they reach adolescence.

Although there is currently no cure, people can treat and prevent eczema flares using home remedies, moisturizers, medications, and lifestyle changes.

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Eczema: Symptoms, treatment, causes, and types