Eczema

Eczema is a chronic inflammation of the outer layers of the skin. It is most common in infants and children. It can occur in adults. This condition is not contagious. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis.

The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Factors that may contribute to eczema include:

• Allergies —may include allergies to things that touch the skin (such as wool or perfumes in soaps), allergies to dust mites (very common), or allergies to foods
• Environment
• Frequent washing of affected areas
• Genetics
• Scratching or rubbing of skin
• Stress, especially if it leads to scratching
• Use of rubber gloves in persons sensitive to latex

Factors that increase your chance of eczema:

• Age: five years old or younger (eczema becomes less common after the ages of 5-10)
• Asthma or hay fever
• Race: Black or Asian
• Relatives who have eczema or allergic disorders
• Urban areas or places with low humidity

The symptoms vary from person to person. Scratching and rubbing can cause or worsen some of the symptoms. Symptoms include:

• Cracks behind the ears or in other skin creases
• Crusting, oozing, cracking, or scaling of the skin
• Dry, itchy skin
• Rashes on the cheeks, arms, and legs
• Red, scaly skin
• Small, raised bumps on the skin
• Thick, leathery skin
• Worsening in the winter, when inside air is dry due to central heating

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to specialist. A dermatologist focuses on skin disorders. An allergist focuses on allergies.

The main goals of eczema treatment are to:

• Avoid skin infection
• Heal the skin and keep it healthy
• Learn to avoid scratching
• Prevent flare-ups
• Recognize and avoid precipitating allergens, if there are any
• Stop scratching or rubbing

Treatment options may vary. Your doctor may recommend more than one depending on your condition. They include:

It is difficult to prevent eczema. This is most true when there is a strong family history.

You may be able to reduce your child's risk of eczema by:

• Breastfeeding
• Exposing your child to pets at an early age
• For bottlefed infants, using a certain kind of formula—Ask the doctor if your baby should have 100% whey protein formula (eg, Nestle Good Start).
• Taking probiotics while pregnant and after giving birth (if you are breastfeeding)

Your doctor may have more information regarding steps for reducing the risk of eczema.

If you already have eczema, there are several things you can do to try to control it:

• Apply a moisturizer to your skin often
• Avoid direct contact with wool to the skin.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing when possible.
• Follow guidelines to limit house dust mites in bedding.
• Follow your treatment plan. Improvement may take several weeks or even months after a new medicine is started.
• Maintain a cool stable environment. Keep consistent humidity levels.
• Recognize and limit emotional stress.
• Talk to your doctor about any natural or herbal treatments. Some of these may make eczema worse.