How Is Eczema Treated
If you’re diagnosed with eczema, your doctor might:
- prescribe medicines to put on the skin that soothe the redness and irritation, such as creams or ointments that contain corticosteroids
- recommend other medicines to take by mouth if the eczema is really bad or you get it a lot
If someone has severe eczema, ultraviolet light therapy can help clear up the condition. Newer medicines that change the way the skin’s immune system reacts also may help.
Causes Of Atopic Eczema
The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown, but it’s clear it is not down to one single thing.
Atopic eczema often occurs in people who get allergies. “Atopic” means sensitivity to allergens.
It can run in families, and often develops alongside other conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.
The symptoms of atopic eczema often have certain triggers, such as soaps, detergents, stress and the weather.
Sometimes food allergies can play a part, especially in young children with severe eczema.
You may be asked to keep a food diary to try to determine whether a specific food makes your symptoms worse.
Allergy tests are not usually needed, although they’re sometimes helpful in identifying whether a food allergy may be triggering symptoms.
Avoid Triggers And Treat Infection
Stay cool
Getting too hot from clothing or heating can make eczema worse – stay cool.
Avoid soap and fragrances
Soap and fragrances are the most common triggers of eczema. Only use skin care products designed for eczema. Many are available on prescription from your doctor or nurse prescriber.
Prevent skin infections
Eczema is made worse by infection such as from:
- school sores
- the cold sore virus which can cause severe painful infection of eczema
Avoid contact with cold sores. See your family doctor urgently if your child gets an infection from cold sores.
Removing foods from your child’s diet does not usually help eczema
Removing foods from your child’s diet does not usually help eczema and can be dangerous, leading to anaphylaxis.
Please talk with your doctor about this.
Also Check: How To Know If You Have Eczema On Scalp
Why Did My Child Develop Eczema
The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Researchers do know that children who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When something outside the body switches on the immune system, skin cells dont behave as they should causing flare ups.
We also know that children who come from families with a history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or hay fever are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
How Is Atopic Dermatitis Diagnosed In A Child
The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. He or she may also ask if you or other family members have atopic dermatitis, asthma, or nasal allergies such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. He or she will also ask about allergy symptoms in your child. The healthcare provider will examine your child, looking for signs of atopic dermatitis. There is no specific test for atopic dermatitis. Testing is usually not needed, but it may be done. Tests may include:
-
Blood tests. Your childs blood may be checked for levels of immunoglobulin E . IgE is released by the body’s immune system. Its high in most children with allergies and with atopic dermatitis. Other blood tests may also be done.
-
Skin tests. Skin tests may be done to check for allergies or other skin conditions.
Also Check: Best Face Wash For Eczema On Face
Eczema Symptoms In People Of Color
In People of Color, an eczema rash may appear gray or brown. This can make outbreaks harder to see.
However, People of Color who get eczema may also get dark or light skin patches even after eczema symptoms go away. These can last a long time. Doctors call these patches hyperpigmentation and depigmentation or hypopigmentation.
A dermatologist can evaluate these patches, which may respond to treatments like steroid creams.
The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in babies under the age of 2:
- rashes on the scalp and cheeks
- rashes that bubble up before leaking fluid
- rashes that can cause extreme itchiness, which may interfere with sleeping
What Causes Atopic Dermatitis In A Child
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known. But some things are linked to it. They include:
-
Genes. This skin problem can be passed on from parents to a child.
-
Immune system. An immune system that isnt fully developed may affect how much protection the skin can give.
-
External factors. These include being in winter weather, using hot water for bathing, using soap, and being in dry, hot temperatures.
Also Check: Eczema Skin Peeling On Hands
Whats The Difference Between Dermatitis And Psoriasis
Psoriasis and dermatitis can appear similar. Both cause patches of red skin. However, in psoriasis, the scales are thick and the edges of those scales are well-defined.
Discuss with your healthcare provider your questions about which type of skin condition you have. You can have more than one skin condition at a time. Treatments for one may not work for the other.
Types Of Eczema Commonly Found In Older Adults Plus Treatment Options
As we age, our skin undergoes several changes. The epidermis becomes thinner, the outer layer of our skin loses its ability to retain water and the skins overall barrier function decreases. All of these changes can contribute to many skin conditions, including eczema. An eczema flare up, characterized by red, itchy skin, can be hard to control and is especially exacerbated in the dry winter months. If youre one of the over 30 million Americans who suffer with eczema, youre probably ready to try any remedy that might help.
Recommended Reading: Best Moisturizer For Eyelid Eczema
New Innovations In The Treatment Of Eczema In Children
Tacrolimus ointment this is an investigational ointment currently being tested in the U.S. for the treatment of eczema. It suppresses the part of the immune system that is responsible for the eczema rash and itching. This ointment is showing great promise, and will hopefully be available soon. It appears to be just as effective as steroid creams but does not have many of the side effects that the steroids have.
What Causes Discoid Eczema
The exact cause of discoid eczema is uncertain. However, most people with discoid eczema have generally dry skin. One theory is that the dry skin upsets the normal fatty layer within the outer layer of the skin which usually helps to protect the skin. Because this protection is lost, special proteins that can cause allergy can penetrate through the skin. This can lead to an allergic or irritant response in the skin, so leading to the patches of eczema. In fact, some doctors actually consider discoid eczema as a form of adult-onset atopic dermatitis.
Sometimes certain medicines can trigger discoid eczema in some people. For example, medicines used to treat hepatitis C infection . Insect bites or injury to the skin can also trigger an outbreak of discoid eczema in some people.
Because the fatty, protective layer within the skin is lost, it is thought that some people with discoid eczema may also have an increased risk of developing contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is eczema that is caused by your skin reacting to a substance it has come into contact with. Such substances can include nickel in jewellery or belt buckles, cosmetics, preservatives in creams and ointments, additives to leather, etc. See the separate leaflet called Contact Dermatitis for more details.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Eczema Wrinkles
Conditions That Can Look Like Eczema But Arent
Evan Starkman Brunilda Nazario, MD
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that can make your skin irritated, inflamed, and itchy. Your doctor may call it atopic dermatitis, which is also the most common type of eczema. Youâre more likely to get eczema when youâre a child, but adults can get it, too.
The symptoms you have and where they show up on your body vary from person to person. You might have one or more of these signs:
- Red patches on white skin
- Gray or violet-brown patches on dark skin
- Oozing or crusty skin from scratching
- Swelling
Several health problems can bring on similar symptoms, so itâs important to talk to your doctor, a dermatologist, or an allergist to find out whatâs going on with your skin. They might tell you that you have one of these conditions that looks like eczema but isnât:
Psoriasis. This long-term condition is partly due to your immune system attacking your skin by mistake. Both psoriasis and eczema can bring on symptoms like:
- Red, scaly patches
- Dry, cracked skin
- Itching
Eczema patches tend to be thinner than psoriasis patches. Another difference: Fluid can ooze from your skin with eczema.
Scabies. This contagious condition happens when tiny bugs called mites burrow into the top layer of your skin and lay eggs. You might have symptoms like bad itching and a rash that looks like pimples. Like eczema, you could also get scaly-looking patches.
Acne. This skin condition can take several forms, including:
Show Sources
Are There Any Possible Complications
As mentioned above, bacterial infection of a patch of discoid eczema can occur and needs to be treated with antibiotics. Also, care should be taken to avoid scratching the itchy patches where possible. If you scratch a skin patch too much, scarring of your skin can occur.
After a discoid eczema skin patch has healed, in many people there will be no residual signs. However, in some people there can be some permanent brown discolouration of the skin in the affected area. In others, the affected area of skin can become paler than the surrounding skin.
Recommended Reading: Best Lotion For Eczema On Legs
What Is Discoid Eczema And What Are The Symptoms
Eczema is also called dermatitis. Dermatitis is a general term which means inflammation of the skin. There are a number of different types of eczema. Discoid eczema is one of these.
Discoid eczema causes round or oval-shaped, red patches of skin on your body. So discoid refers to the disc shape of the eczema patches. Discoid eczema is also called nummular dermatitis. Nummular literally means coin-shaped, another way of describing the shape of the patches of eczema.
Discoid eczema can start as a small group of little blisters or red spots but then develops into a pinky-red, dry and scaly patch of skin. The skin patches are usually very itchy. The itching is often worse at night and can affect your sleep. Some people complain that the skin patches burn or sting.
The skin between the discoid eczema patches looks normal except that, in general, people with discoid eczema have dry skin.
What Are The Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis In A Child
Symptoms may come and go, or occur most or all of the time. Any area of the body may be affected. In babies, symptoms usually affect the face, neck, scalp, elbows, and knees. In children, symptoms usually affect the skin inside the elbows, on the back of the knees, the sides of the neck, around the mouth, and on the wrists, ankles, and hands.
Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:
-
Dry, scaly skin
-
Pale skin on the face
-
Small, raised bumps that may become crusty and leak fluid if scratched
-
Rough bumps on the face, upper arms, and thighs
-
Darkened skin of eyelids or around the eyes
-
Skin changes around the mouth, eyes, or ears
-
Raised, red areas
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Recommended Reading: Things That Cause Eczema Flare Ups
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Eczema
- if your child has eczema, their skin feels dry and rough to touch, and it is itchy
- their skin can become inflamed , and may even get infected , particularly with scratching
- in babies, the rash often involves their face
- in older children, the skin in the creases of their knees and elbows, around their neck and on their hands is often affected
- in some children, the skin over their entire body is affected
- at times your child’s skin will look good and at other times it gets worse – this is part of eczema and not necessarily caused by bad care
Managing Eczema In Winter And Year Round: A Parents Guide
Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. Red, crusty, dry patches can be common on a baby’s skin, particularly in winter, and cause concern for parents. Such symptoms can be treated, however, and many babies and children do outgrow the dry, itchy skin of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
We spoke with pediatric dermatologist Katherine Puttgen to learn more.
Read Also: How Do You Diagnose Eczema
What Can I Expect If Ive Been Diagnosed With Eczema
Nearly half of children with eczema will outgrow the condition or experience great improvement by the time they reach puberty. Others will continue to have some form of the disease. For adults with eczema, the disease can be generally well-managed with good skin care and treatment, although flare-ups of symptoms can occur throughout life.
Similarities Between Ad In Adults And Children
While AD tends to change how it looks and where it appears as we age, there are still many similarities between having AD as an adult and as a child.
The list of similarities often includes that AD can:
-
Appear anywhere on the skin
-
Be intensely itchy
-
Cause sleep loss due to the itch
-
Make you feel depressed, anxious, or both
-
Lead to skin infections
ImageUsed with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001 44:89-93.
ReferencesEichenfield LF, Tom WL, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. Section 1. Diagnosis and assessment of atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 70:338-51.
Ellis CN, Mancini AJ, et al. Understanding and managing atopic dermatitis in adult patients. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2012 31:S18-22
Kanwar AJ. Adult-onset atopic dermatitis. Indian J Dermatol. 2016 Nov-Dec 61: 6623.
Kim JP, Chao LX, et al. Persistence of atopic dermatitis : A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 75:681-7.
Silverberg JI, Vakharia PP, et al. Phenotypical differences of childhood- and adult-onset atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017 Nov 10. pii: S2213-219830757-2.
All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology
You May Like: Can You Get Eczema In Your Armpits
How Does Ear Eczema Affect My Body
Ear eczema affects your ears, including:
- Your outer ears , including your ear lobes.
- Your inner ears, including your ear canals.
- Behind your ears.
- The skin between your ears and your face.
Your skin may itch, change color, develop bumps, dry out or thicken.
In severe cases of ear eczema, your skin may crack or leak a thick, yellow or white fluid . You may also experience a ringing noise or hearing loss if you have a severe case of ear eczema in your ear canals.
Is A Cure Or Better Treatment For Eczema On The Horizon
Without a cure on the near horizon, we here at Johns Hopkins are creating an Eczema Day Treatment Unit to help our patients with moderate to severe eczema keep their symptoms under control and prevent flare-ups. We anticipate that this novel, multidisciplinary program will include experts from Child Life, behavioral psychology, allergy, dermatology and infectious diseases to provide the comprehensive care these children need care that cannot be provided in an average clinic visit.
A primary goal of the day treatment unit will be education children and their families will learn techniques such as wet-wrap therapy, to help deeply moisturize the skin. This therapy involves coating the skin with a topical ointment, followed by a greasy ointment like petroleum jelly, then dressing in wet pajamas, followed by dry pajamas, allowing the skin to soak in the moisture.
Don’t Miss: Are Bath Salts Good For Eczema
What Foods Should I Eat Or Avoid To Reduce My Risk Of Eczema
The connection between eczema and food allergies is unclear. If you have food allergies, then one of the reasons why you must avoid that food is that it may cause or worsen dermatitis. Examples of common allergies include peanuts, dairy, eggs, sugar, alcohol and gluten. Pay attention to what you eat. If your eczema flares up after you eat a certain food, then you might have an allergy to it.
If you dont have a food allergy then there are no foods, including chicken, that will cause or worsen your eczema.
Medical Treatment For Eczema
Eczema cant be cured. But it can be managed by preventing and treating flare-ups as soon as they appear.
If your childs skin is inflamed and itchy, theyll probably need some corticosteroid ointment or cream. For mild eczema, you can buy mild corticosteroids over the counter at your pharmacy. The most common is hydrocortisone 1% cream. For more serious eczema or if the over-the-counter products arent working, youll need to see your GP to get a prescription for a stronger corticosteroid.
Other eczema treatments include pimecrolimus, a non-steroidal cream. Doctors might prescribe this cream for children with mild to moderate eczema on the face and in body folds.
If your child is scratching at a rash, you could ask your pharmacist or GP about using an antihistamine medication for a few days. Together with a corticosteroid cream, this might give your child some rest and help the flare-up to settle.
If your childs eczema rash gets infected, your doctor will prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.
Don’t Miss: Can A Blood Test Detect Eczema
Can You Get Rid Of Eczema
Eczema may be persistent and difficult to treat. A combination of various treatment modalities may be required to treat eczema and control flare-ups. Despite successful treatment, flare-ups may still occur. Treatment of eczema also involves identifying and avoiding skin irritants or food allergies, avoiding extreme temperatures, and frequently lubricating the skin.
Treatment options for eczema include the following:
Topical medications
- Topical medications are medications that are applied externally, over the skin. This includes medicated creams, ointments, and lotions. They are used to reduce swelling, dryness, and itching and help heal the skin. Topical medications that are commonly prescribed for eczema contain corticosteroids. Steroids reduce inflammations and itching, but overuse can cause thinning of the skin. Other creams containing drugs such as Protopic that suppress the white blood cells and hence control skin reactions. Direct strong sunlight should be avoided when these products are being used. Topical antibiotics may be prescribed to treat secondary infection. Regularly applying moisturizers that are free of chemicals, artificial colors, or fragrances will help soothe the skin, hydrate, repair, and soften it as well.
Oral medication
Other therapies