Can You Get Eczema As An Adult
Eczema or psoriasis? Managing eczema in summertimeNickel allergySevere atopic dermatitis
Adults can get any type of eczema, including atopic dermatitis , which many people consider a childhood disease.
When AD begins after your 18th birthday, dermatologists call it adult-onset atopic dermatitis. Youd receive this diagnosis if you never had AD before. A peak time for developing adult-onset AD is in your 50s.
AD and the eyes
In adults, atopic dermatitis often develops on skin around the eyes.
Some adults who have AD had it as a child. Its possible for AD to go away in childhood and return years later. When the AD returns, its often much milder.
For some children, the AD never goes away, so its a lifelong disease. This happened to Peter Moffat, the award-winning writer of the British TV series Criminal Justice. You can read about how AD affects his life by going to: Adults with eczema too often suffer in silence
If Ive Had Eczema Before Does That Mean I Will Be Eczema
Yes and no.
In the short run, you will be extremely prone to eczema .
Youre extremely prone in the short run because youve just healed and most likely, you havent finished healing internally.
Just because eczema is gone from your skin doesnt mean your internal system is done healing this is a common misconception.
The second reason is that youve lost the potential growth of your immune system you could have developed earlier but instead your body was on a constant fight with internal imbalances which led to the extremely limited strength of your immune system.
Heres an analogy. Youre a king. When you were supposed to be building your castle, you had civil wars while other castle did not. So now everyone has a well-equipped fully functional castle, your castle is still half-way under construction. It sort of works but its defence is limited.
In the long run, your ability to get eczema back will gradually decrease.
This ability is not random though. Its entirely determined by what you do to your body and how well you adjust for optimal health. In other words, whether you will get eczema again is totally under your control.
Got a castle? Now fortify it.
What Treatment Options For Late
The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends topical ointments for older adults with mild psoriasis. These include over-the-counter products like coal tar and salicylic acid, and prescription treatments such as retinoids, steroid creams, and forms of vitamin D. For older adults with severe psoriasis, the NPF recommends or biologic drugs, but only with careful monitoring.
Read Also: How To Repair Skin Barrier Eczema
Q: What Increases Your Risk For Adult
A: Most childhood asthma disappears in adulthood. But having childhood asthma increases your risk of a relapse in your 30s or 40s. Other factors that increase the risk of adult-onset asthma include:
- Being overweight or obese: A low level of physical activity, changes in lung physiology and higher levels of inflammation are among several factors at play.
- Being : Hormonal fluctuations in pregnancy and menopause can trigger asthma.
- Allergens: Cats, cigarette smoke, chemicals, mold or dust can trigger asthma.
Can Someone Outgrow Eczema
Technically, yesusually if they were born with it. In a study from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, most eczema will present itself in early childhood. The good news? Most babies who develop eczema in the first few months of life will show improvements by the age of 3, and around two-thirds of them will suffer only occasional breakouts or completely outgrow their symptoms by their teen years. Even when it does appear in adults, it tends to be milder.
However, a small percentage of babies who develop eczema will not outgrow it. And in certain instances of adult onset, eczema does develop after individuals turn 18. In fact, the National Eczema Association finds that roughly one in four adults with eczema report initial symptoms coming on later in life. “When eczema is caused by genetics or developed as an adult, it can have longer-lasting effects, with flare-ups occurring throughout life,” says Dr. Zeichner. “If the eczema is caused by external factors like dry weather or irritating skincare products, it will usually improve once the aggressor is eliminated.”
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Over The Counter Lotion For Eczema
How Is Eczema Diagnosed What Tests Are Done
Your healthcare provider will take a close look at your skin. They will look for classic signs of eczema such as a redness and dryness. They will ask about the symptoms youre experiencing.
Usually your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose eczema based on examining your skin. However, when there is doubt, they may perform the following tests:
- An allergy skin test.
- Blood tests to check for causes of the rash that might be unrelated to dermatitis.
- A skin biopsy to distinguish one type of dermatitis from another.
Symptoms Of Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore.
Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.
Inflamed skin can become red on lighter skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on darker skin. This can also be more difficult to see on darker skin.
Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children.
People with atopic eczema usually have periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe .
You May Like: Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Lotion
What Causes Eczema In Adults
Though its not so common, people can develop eczema later in life, even if theyve never suffered from the chronic condition before. What’s going on, and what can you do about it?
Its tricky to diagnose or determine the main cause of adult-onset eczema, as everyones eczema presents differently. Overall, though, eczema in adults tends to act the same way as most variants of eczema: inflammation plus a faulty skin barrier makes skin dry, sore, and insanely itchy.
What causes adult-onset eczema?
Most people living with eczema can hardly remember not having it, and more often than not eczema starts at a very young age. About 1 in 5 children have childhood eczema, but most outgrow it as they get older. When diagnosed in adults, however, the condition tends to persist, meaning that its something they might always be prone to, even if flares come and go.
Studies have shown that adult-onset eczema is more common than one would expect, and it tends to present differently than when diagnosed in childhood.
Physiological changes to the skin as it ages is likely to be the main culprit as the skin structure changes over the years, wrinkles start to form, and the skin becomes more fragile, less elastic, and more sensitive to damage and irritation, as well as slower to heal.
Add general health and well-being to the mix, and anything from hormonal changes to developing allergies can make people more susceptible to experiencing eczema for the first time.
Managing adult-onset eczema
What Causes Eczema In The First Place
Researchers dont know the exact cause of eczema, but they know what drives ita getaway car-combo of genes and environmental factors. If you have a family history of eczema, youre more likely to develop the condition. One study published in Nature Genetics found that some people with eczema lack the proper proteins to build a strong barrier on the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis.
This allows critical moisture to escape and rolls out a welcome mat for allergens, aka triggers. When people with eczema are exposed to these triggers , their bodies produce inflammatory signals to their immune system. Enter: flares.
If you have been diagnosed with eczema, then your symptoms can worsen if youre exposed to triggers, including:
You May Like: Is Celery Good For Eczema
Where On The Body Are The Patches Located
The hands, face and especially the eyelids are very often affected in adults. In some cases, however, patches appear in large skin folds and other areas of the body.
Face, arms, stomach, legs…
Inflammatory flare-ups can affect the entire skin surface . These widespread episodes are serious, possibly leading to complications such as infections and metabolic disorders, and require hospitalization.
A particular case: “head and neck” dermatitis
A particular form of atopic eczema in adults appears exclusively, or predominantly, on the face and neck. Here, we look for a potential abnormal sensitivity to the sun which may be caused by, among other things, a secondary yeast infection.
Treatments
Treatments for atopic eczema are usually combined with an anti-inflammation corticosteroid treatment to calm flare-ups, and with an emollient which is critical for hydrating and thus repairing the skin.
A more peaceful daily life
Atopic skin is especially sensitive, and seemingly ordinary stimuli can trigger eczema flare-ups. It is helpful to know about the good habits to adopt in terms of cosmetics, diet and more. Various tools are available to lead a more peaceful professional and social life on a daily basis and to eliminate stress as an aggravating factor.
Diagnosing Food Allergy And Eczema Flare
- Your child’s doctor may suggest the steps listed below:
- Remove the suspected food or foods from your child’s diet for 2 weeks. The eczema should greatly improve.
- Then give your child that food when the eczema is under good control. This is called a “challenge.”
- If the food is causing flare-ups, the eczema should become itchy and red. The flare-up should occur quickly within 2 hours of eating the food.
- If this occurs, avoid giving this food to your child. Talk to your child’s doctor about the need for any food substitutes.
- If the eczema does not flare-up, your child isn’t allergic to that food.
Don’t Miss: Can Stress And Anxiety Cause Eczema
What Are The Symptoms Of Eczema
The most important thing to remember is that eczema and its symptoms are different for everyone. Your eczema may not look the same on you as it does on another adult or on your child. Different types of eczema may even appear in different areas of the body at different times.
Eczema is usually itchy. For many people, the itch can range from mild to moderate. But in some cases, it can become much worse and you might develop extremely inflamed skin. Sometimes the itch gets so bad that people scratch it until it bleeds, which can make your eczema worse. This is called the itch-scratch cycle.
What to look for:
Skin: Condition: Infomation Moisturisers
These should be applied several times every day to help the outer layer of your skin function better as a barrier to your environment. The drier your skin, the more frequently you should apply a moisturiser. Many different ones are available, varying in their degree of greasiness, and it is important that you choose one you like to use. The best one to use is the greasiest one you are prepared to apply. Moisturisers containing an antiseptic may be useful if repeated infections are a problem.
Aqueous cream was originally developed as a soap substitute. It is often used as a moisturiser but can irritate the skin and make your AE worse. For this reason it is recommended that aqueous cream is not used as a moisturiser.
CAUTION: This leaflet mentions emollients . When paraffin-containing emollient products get in contact with dressings, clothing, bed linen or hair, there is a danger that a naked flame or cigarette smoking could cause these to catch fire. To reduce the fire risk, patients using paraffin-containing skincare or haircare products are advised to avoid naked flames completely, including smoking cigarettes and being near people who are smoking or using naked flames. It is also advisable to wash clothing and bed linen regularly, preferably daily.
Recommended Reading: How To Heal Eczema Without Steroids
Symptoms Of Allergies In Babies
Eczema is the most common allergy symptom in babies. Eczema causes dry, red, irritated skin on the face, belly, or in the diaper area. In some infants, eczema can be severe.
Cows milk allergy is also linked to digestive problems, which might cause blood to show up in a babys poop. It can interfere with digestion and keep a baby from growing or gaining weight.
Occasionally babies can have more severe allergic reactions. Swelling, wheezing, repeated vomiting, and difficulty breathing, especially if they get worse quickly, could be signs of an emergency.
Skin: Condition: Infomation Chinese Herbal Treatment
This is a complementary therapy that has been reported to benefit some patients but doctors do not generally recommend these. Potentially serious side effects, such as inflammation of the liver, have been known to occur with Chinese herbal treatment.
Many people with eczema benefit from a psychological approach to their condition in addition to their use of creams, ointments etc.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Eczema On Upper Lip
What Is The Treatment For Asthma
Asthma symptoms can be treated with a variety of prescription medications that provide quick relief as well as long term control. Lifestyle changes can also reduce symptoms, especially if asthma is triggered by allergies to substances in the environment or to certain foods . Regular vaccinations for influenza and pneumonia are strongly recommended for older adults with asthma.
Keep in mind . . . Short-term use of oral steroids are helpful to treat acute asthma symptoms, or flare ups however, long-term use of oral steroids is usually avoided in older asthma patients. Over time, oral steroids can cause severe side effects, such as weakening of bones, ulcers, or high blood pressure.
People with asthma should develop a written asthma management plan with their physician. An asthma management plan outlines specific treatment and lifestyle practices, including what to do when asthma symptoms flare up or become out of control.
Older asthma patients should be sure to ask their physician about any aspect of their asthma treatment that they do not understand. Keeping the physician informed about how well treatment is working is important. Patients need to tell their physician if they are having trouble remembering to take their medications, or if they are having difficulty using devices such as an inhaler.
How To Modify The Diet
You still need to eat healthy and dont go too extreme into the highly restricted diet.
Because if you go highly restricted, in order to remain eczema-free, youll have to maintain that highly restricted standard for the rest of the time being.
The solution is to let yourself heal from eczema slower with a lighter restricted diet, with cheating sessions every once in a while.
This doesnt mean you cram yourself 100% junk food in those sessions. It means letting yourself blend in with social conventions. This way, your body will adjust to your habits .
Slowing down your eczema recovery on purpose is for the long-term benefit of not being constrained to a highly restricted diet.
But if you tell me, hey Harrison! Im highly dedicated and I will exactly follow the highly restricted diet forever!, then sure thing, you can optimize your recovery to its greatest speed and thats fine!
Read Also: How To Deal With Weeping Eczema
Eczema Coping Tips Reducing Skin Irritation
People with eczema have sensitive skin. Irritants such as heat or detergents can easily trigger a bout of eczema.Suggestions for reducing skin irritation include:
- Avoid overheating your skin. Wear several layers of clothing that you can remove, as required, instead of one heavy layer. Dont put too many blankets on your bed and avoid doonas.
- Dont use perfumed bubble bath or bath products labelled medicated.
- Wear soft, smooth materials next to your skin, preferably 100% cotton. Avoid scratchy materials, such as pure wool, polyester or acrylic. You could try a cotton and synthetic mix material this is fine for some people with eczema. Remove labels from clothing.
- Always wear protective gloves when using any type of chemical or detergent. You may want to wear cotton gloves inside rubber or PVC gloves.
- Avoid chlorinated pools. If you have to swim in a chlorinated pool, moisturise your skin well when you get out.
What Is The Best Treatment For Eczema
Theres no magical medication that willpoof!cure eczema. While research has shown that nearly 75% of kids are free of eczema by the time they turn 16, its a chronic condition with no guarantee that you will grow out of it. For decades, the main treatment was over-the-counter and prescription steroid creams, which, if used for long periods of time , could cause side effects including skin thinning, cataracts and glaucoma.
But in the last decade, more treatments have become available, especially for severe, hard-to-treat cases. Heres what works:
Recommended Reading: How To Use Manuka Honey For Eczema
How Long Do Eczema Flare
The length of a flare-up will depend on what type of eczema you have, as well as the severity of the flare. With proper treatment, flare-ups may last one to three weeks, notes Harvard Health Publishing.
Chronic eczema such as atopic dermatitis can go into remission with the help of a good preventative treatment plan. Remission means that the disease is not active and you remain free of symptoms. Periods of remission can last for weeks or even years, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Emollients For Washing And Bath/shower Equipment
Soaps, shower gels and bubble baths can dry out the skin. Its best to use an emollient soap substitute or a cream-based leave-on emollient as a soap substitute.
Your GP may refer you to the Community Occupational Therapy Service if you need special bath/shower equipment for safety or if you have difficulty getting in or out of the bath/shower. They can fit a bath seat, grab-rails, a seat in the shower or an alarm if you get into difficulties.
Bath emollients make the shower tray and bath more slippery. Use non-slip bath mats to help reduce the risk of slipping. Support bars fixed to the wall in the shower or by the bath will provide extra safety when showering/bathing. Pour bath emollient into the bath after you get in rather than before. As an extra precaution its a good idea to empty out bath water before getting out of the bath. Be careful not to knock your legs, as this could lead to ulcers. Use a bandage or pad under support stockings for extra protection.
For more detailed information on emollients for moisturising and washing, please download our Emollients factsheet.
Read Also: What Milk Is Good For Eczema