What is eczema?

Eczema, also known as “atopic dermatitis,” is a skin condition that causes itchy and flaky skin. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it is often associated with allergies and can run in families.

What are symptoms of eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition that can cause a number of symptoms, including intense itching, color changes, small bumps, and flaking or scaling skin. The appearance of eczema can vary depending on the age of the person affected. In babies and children younger than 2 years old, eczema tends to affect the front of the arms and legs, cheeks, or scalp. In older children and adults, eczema often affects the sides of the neck, the elbow creases, and the backs of the knees. Adults can also get it on their wrists, hands, forearms, and face. Over time, the skin can become thicker and even form scars from too much scratching.

What can I do to reduce symptoms?

To prevent dry skin, you can use unscented, thick moisturizing creams and ointments.

If you have eczema, it’s best to avoid or limit certain things that can make it worse. These include being too hot or sweating too much, being in very dry air, experiencing stress or worry, sudden temperature changes, using harsh soaps or cleaning products, wearing perfumes, and wearing wool or synthetic fabrics like polyester.

Eczema treatments

Eczema is a chronic condition that can be managed with treatments that relieve symptoms. However, there is no cure for eczema. About half of children with eczema outgrow it by the time they become adults. Treatments for eczema include:

• Moisturizing creams or ointments – These products help keep your skin moist. In some cases, your doctor or nurse might suggest using a moist dressing over special creams or medicines. It helps to put on your cream or ointment right after a bath or shower. Some people also try products that you put in the bathtub, such as oil or oatmeal. But these have been found not to help with eczema symptoms.

• Steroid creams and ointments – These can help with itching and swelling. In severe cases, you might need steroids in pills. But your doctor or nurse will want you to stop taking steroid pills as soon as possible. Even though these medicines help, they can also cause problems of their own.

• Antihistamine pills – Antihistamines are medicines that people often take for allergies. Some people with eczema find that antihistamines relieve itching. Others do not think that the medicines help with itching. Many people with eczema find that itching is worst at night. That can make it hard to sleep. If you have this problem, talk with your doctor or nurse about it. They might recommend an antihistamine that can also help you sleep.

• Light therapy – Another treatment option is something called “light therapy,” but doctors do not use it much. During light therapy, your skin is exposed to a special kind of light called ultraviolet light. This therapy is usually done in a doctor’s office. Doctors usually recommend light therapy for people who do not get better with other treatments.

• Medicines that change the way that the immune system works – These medicines are only for people who do not get better with moisturizers and steroid creams or ointments.