Eczema

Eczema

What is atopic eczema?

Atopic eczema is a common skin condition. It can happen at any age, but it usually starts in childhood. About 1 in 5 children in the UK develop eczema. 

The word ‘atopic’ is used to describe conditions linked to strong reactions of the body’s immune system. These include asthma, eczema and hay fever.  

Eczema’ is a term which is used to describe red, dry, itchy skin. Sometimes the skin can crack, weep, blister, or become scaly, crusty and thick.

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What does it look like?

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Main body location

All over / widespread

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Can it appear anywhere?

Yes


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What causes atopic eczema?

Atopic eczema is a complicated skin condition. It can be caused by a number of things, including your genes and the environment around you.  

One important gene is called filaggrin. It helps control a protein important for keeping the skin barrier strong and healthy. If this gene does not work properly, the skin barrier becomes weaker, and the affected person can develop eczema.  

A weak skin barrier makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to enter the skin and cause skin infections. It also allows irritating substances to enter the skin, making it inflamed and itchy.  

Things that can irritate the skin include allergens (for example, pollen and dust), soaps, detergents and other chemicals. 

Atopic eczema often runs in families, especially if other family members have asthma or hay fever. But it is important to know that eczema is not contagious – you cannot catch it from someone else.

Is atopic eczema hereditary?

Yes, atopic eczema tends to run in families. If one or both parents have eczema, their children are more likely to develop it too. 

Around 1 in 3 children with atopic eczema will also develop asthma and/or hay fever. Atopic eczema affects both males and females equally.  

What does atopic eczema feel and look like?

The main symptom of atopic eczema is itching (pruritus). This can be very uncomfortable and lead to scratching that can make the skin look and feel worse. The itch can be so strong that it affects sleep, causing tiredness and irritability.  

Atopic eczema often comes and goes in flare ups – times when the skin gets worse. Sometimes flare-ups have a clear cause, but often there is no obvious reason.  

Atopic eczema can appear anywhere on the body, including the face. Most commonly it appears on the creases of the joints at the elbows, knees, wrists and neck (known as a flexural pattern). It can also appear as coin-sized areas of inflammation (a discoid pattern), or as many small bumps around the hair follicles (a follicular pattern).  

The skin usually feels dry, itchy and sore. Scratching can cause marks, and sometimes the skin may bleed. 

During a flare-up, the skin feels warm and looks red. On brown or black skin, the redness may be harder to see, but the area may also become darker or lighter than the surrounding unaffected skin. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darker) or hypopigmentation (lighter). 

Sometimes, the skin can also become wet and weepy. In some cases, small water blisters develop, especially on the hands and feet. This is called pompholyx. If the skin is scratched repeatedly over time, it can become thicker. This is known as lichenification. 

How is atopic eczema diagnosed?

A healthcare professional can usually recognise atopic eczema just by looking at the skin. Blood tests and skin tests are usually unnecessary 

What makes atopic eczema flare-up?

Many things in a person’s environment can make atopic eczema worse and cause a flare up. These include:

  • Irritants such as soaps, detergents and other chemicals, heat, dust, woollen clothing, and pets. 
  • Being unwell, such as having a common cold 
  • Skin infections caused by bacteria or viruses: 
  • Bacterial infection (usually with a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus) makes the affected skin yellow, crusty and inflamed, and may need specific treatment.  
  • An infection with the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) in the skin affected by eczema can cause a sudden painful widespread flare-up of atopic eczema, with weeping small sores. This condition is called eczema herpeticum. This condition can be very serious if not treated quickly.  
  • Dryness of the skin 
  • Teething in babies 
  • Food allergens, which can trigger eczema in some people.  
  • Stress, which can make symptoms worse. 

Can atopic eczema be cured?

Atopic eczema cannot be cured, but there are many ways of controlling it. Most children affected by it will see improvements as they get older, with 4 out of 5 clear of it by their teens.  

Many people continue to have dry skin in adulthood. It is important to use moisturisers on a regular basis and avoid irritants such as soaps, detergents and bubble baths. 

Atopic eczema may be troublesome for people in certain jobs that involve contact with irritant materials, such as catering, hairdressing, cleaning, or healthcare work. In later life, atopic eczema can present as hand dermatitis. Therefore, exposure to irritants and allergens should be avoided both in the home and at work. 

Can atopic eczema be prevented?

Currently, there is no proven way to stop eczema from developing. 

Some people think that breastfeeding might help prevent eczema in babies. However, there’s no strong evidence that it works. 

There is also no clear proof that eating organic food or taking fish oil during pregnancy lowers the risk of eczema in children. 

Can someone with atopic eczema lead a normal life?

Yes, people with eczema can lead a full life which can include participating in sports, swimming and travel. They may need to make minor changes such as keeping moisturiser with them at school, work or when away from home 

How can atopic eczema be treated?

There are many treatments that can help manage atopic eczema and reduce flare-ups. Treatment depends on how severe the eczema is. 

Self care (What can I do?)

Taking care of your skin daily can make a big difference. Here are some tips to help manage atopic eczema: 

  • Moisturise the skin often – at least 2-3 times a day. Use a moisturiser you like and feel comfortable using regularly. Apply it in the direction of hair growth. To keep the moisturiser clean, use a spoon or spatula to take out the amount you need. Then put it on a piece of kitchen roll before applying to the skin. This stops bacteria from getting into the container and contaminating it. Contaminated moisturiser can be a source of infection, which will then transfer back onto your skin. 
  • Wash with a moisturiser instead of soap – avoid soaps, bubble baths, shower gels and detergents. 
  • Treat flare-ups early – the sooner you treat the eczema, the easier it is to control. 
  • Protect your hands – wear non-powdered, non-rubber gloves (for example, vinyl gloves) to protect your hands when doing housework and using cleaning products. 
  • After swimming care – rinse off well and apply plenty of moisturiser after drying your skin. Make sure the shower at the swimming pool contains fresh water and not chlorinated water from the pool. 
  • Wear comfortable clothes made of materials such as cotton and silk and avoid wearing wool next to your skin. 
  • Try not to scratch. Scratching can feel good briefly, but it will make the skin itchier and worse in the long term. Instead, apply moisturiser to soothe the skin. 
  • Avoid skin contact with active cold sores. If someone has a cold sore, do not kiss or touch the area. People affected by eczema are at higher risk of getting a widespread infection from the cold sore virus.  
  • Do not keep pets to which you are allergic. 
  • Stay cool. Getting too hot (overheating) can make the skin itch more. 
  • Use a double-rinse cycle to remove laundry detergent residues when washing clothes. Avoid using fabric softeners, if you think they might irritate your skin. 

Images DermNetNZ.

This information is provided by the British Association of Dermatologists.

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