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Symptoms of eczema

  • Dry and cracked skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Rash on swollen skin
    • (red on light-colored skin; dark brown, purple or grey on darker-colored skin)
  • Small, raised bumps on brown/black skin

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis

(eczema)

Atopic dermatitis causes areas of the skin to become dry and itchy .1,2 So, how can we identify atopic dermatitis? Common symptoms include1,2:

  • Dry and cracked skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Rash on swollen skin
    • (red on light-colored skin; dark brown, purple or grey on darker-colored skin)
  • Small, raised bumps on brown/black skin
  • Oozing and crusting
  • Thickened skin
  • Darkening of the skin around the eyes
  • Raw, sensitive skin from scratching
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis

Affected skin areas and features

Body parts affected by atopic dermatitis (eczema) and their common features

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis can appear anywhere on the body, and it might appear differently in children and adults .1,3

Infants

(up to 2 years)

infants

Common skin features
  • features-red rash Red rash
  • features-may ooze when scratched May ooze when scratched

infants

Affected body parts
  • Face
  • Scalp
  • Area of skin around joints that touch when the joint bends

Childhood

(2 years to puberty)

Childhood

Common skin features
  • features-red thickened rash Red thickened rash
  • features-may ooze or bleed when scratched May ooze or bleed when scratched

Childhood

Affected body parts
  • Elbow, usually in the bend
  • Knees, usually in the bend
  • Neck
  • Ankles
Teens and adults

teens and adults

Common skin features
  • features-red to dark brown scaly rash Red to dark brown scaly rash
  • features-may bleed and crust when scratched May bleed and crust when scratched

teens and adults

Affected body parts
  • Hands
  • Neck
  • Elbow, usually in the bend
  • Knees, usually in the bend
  • Skin around the eyes
  • Ankles and feet
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The severity of atopic dermatitis can also vary from person to person, determined by the extent of skin affected and the severity of symptoms (eg, redness, hardening of the skin, formation of bumps, skin lesions).4,5 Some people might only have a small area of dry skin that itch occasionally (mild), while some could experience itching and inflamed skin all over the body (severe).4,6,7
The severity of atopic dermatitis
The severity of atopic dermatitis
Complete this self-assessment now to understand the severity of your atopic dermatitis and get prepared to speak with your doctor.

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Signs of infection in eczema

Signs of an infection with atopic dermatitis (eczema)

At times, your inflamed skin may be more likely to get infected with bacteria or virus, especially when your skin has become cracked and broken due to atopic dermatitis .8 There is also a higher chance of infection if you scratch or do not use your treatments correctly .8

Signs of an infection can include4,8:

  • Symptoms of atopic dermatitis getting worse and not responding to regular treatments
  • Fluid oozing from the skin
  • Swollen and sore skin
  • Feeling hot and shivery
  • Yellow crusts on the skin surface
  • Small yellowish-white spots appearing on areas affected by atopic dermatitis

If you think you might have an infection, consult your doctor immediately for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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How is eczema caused?

What causes atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

What causes atopic dermatitis (eczema)

What causes atopic dermatitis (eczema)

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown, yet several common triggers are identified, including 2,9,10:
icon_irritants.svg/Irritants/78/78

Irritants

(eg, soap, detergents, wool or synthetic fabrics)

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Environmental factors

(eg, cold or dry environments, rapid temperature changes)

icon_original.svg/Allergens/78/78

Allergens

(eg, pollen, house dust mites, food allergies)

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Hormonal changes
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Emotional stress or anxiety
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Skin infections
Moreover, people are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis if there is a family history of atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or asthma .3,9 Problems with the immune system and certain air pollutants might also lead to atopic dermatitis .3 However, atopic dermatitis is not contagious, so you would not get atopic dermatitis through close contact with someone who has it .3,9
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How to treat atopic dermatitis

How to treat atopic dermatitis

If you suspect that you might have atopic dermatitis, click to learn more about the treatments and when to seek medical help.

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References

  1. Mayo Clinic. Atopic dermatitis (eczema): Symptoms and causes. Available at: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273. Accessed Jul 2023.
  2. NHS. Atopic eczema: Overview. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/. Accessed Jul 2023.
  3. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Atopic dermatitis. Available at: www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/atopic-dermatitis. Accessed Jul 2023.
  4. NHS. Atopic eczema: Symptoms. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/symptoms/. Accessed Jul 2023.
  5. Gooderham MJ, et al. J Cutan Med Surg 2018;22:3S-5S.
  6. Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME). How to use EASI (EASI guidance v3 January 17). Available at: www.homeforeczema.org/documents/easi-user-guide-jan-2017-v3.pdf. Accessed Jul 2023.
  7. European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatology 1993;186:23-31.
  8. NHS. Atopic eczema: Complications. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/complications/. Accessed Jul 2023.
  9. NHS. Atopic eczema: Causes. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/causes/. Accessed Jul 2023.
  10. UpToDate. Patient education: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) (Beyond the Basics). Available at: www.uptodate.com/contents/eczema-atopic-dermatitis-beyond-the-basics. Accessed Jul 2023.
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The information available on this website is solely intended for educational purpose only and is not intended to replace consultation with a healthcare provider(s) in any manner. Please consult your healthcare provider(s) for any diagnosis and/or treatment. All decisions regarding any diagnosis and/or treatment are to be made by the healthcare provider(s) in consultation with the patient, taking into consideration the unique characteristics of the patient.