Why eczema occur

The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include :. People with severe eczema may need more intensive treatment to relieve their symptoms.

Continuous rubbing and scratching can also lead to skin infections. Learn how to identify infected eczema here. In People of Color, an eczema rash may appear gray or brown.

This can make outbreaks harder to see. However, People of Color who get eczema may also get dark or light skin patches even after eczema symptoms go away. These can last a long time. Doctors call these patches hyperpigmentation and depigmentation or hypopigmentation. A dermatologist can evaluate these patches, which may respond to treatments like steroid creams.

Learn more about eczema in People of Color here. The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in babies under the age of The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in children age 2 and above:. Most people with the condition develop it before the age of 5 years. African American and Hispanic children may have more severe eczema than children who are white. The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in adults:.

Adults who developed atopic dermatitis as children but no longer experience the condition may still have dry or easily irritated skin, hand eczema, and eczema on the eyelids. The appearance of skin affected by atopic dermatitis will depend on how much a person scratches and whether the skin is infected. Scratching and rubbing can further irritate the skin, increase inflammation, and make the itching worse. There is currently no cure for eczema.

Treatment for the condition aims to heal the affected skin and prevent flares of symptoms. There are several things that people with eczema can do to support skin health and alleviate symptoms. They can try:. People can also try various natural remedies for eczema , including aloe vera, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.

Home Medical library Eczema Southern Cross Medical Library The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate itching which, in left untreated, can cause the condition to get worse.

Eczema atopic dermatitis affects one in three New Zealanders. There are also ethnic differences, with eczema more common among young Maori and Pacific New Zealanders. Most children have a substantial improvement in their eczema by their mid-teens but, in some, severe eczema persists into adulthood.

Eczema is not contagious - you cannot get eczema from, or give it to, another person. However, skin affected by eczema may be more vulnerable to infections such as warts , cold sores , and athlete's foot. Eczema is a form or dermatitis that tends to develop in people that also have allergies such as asthma and hay fever. Potential causes of eczema are: Factors that cause the skin to become dry, and more vulnerable to irritants or infection Genetic factors — eczema runs in families Immune system dysfunction causing an unwanted inflammatory response in the skin.

Certain substances or conditions called trigger factors can cause eczema to flare-up: Irritants such as soaps and detergents, wool, skin infections, dry skin, low humidity, heat, sweating or emotional stress. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, moulds, or foods. Consultation with your doctor may be helpful in identifying the triggers. Signs and symptoms Eczema usually starts on the face followed by the hands and feet. Older children tend to be affected in the elbow and knee creases, neck, wrists, ankles, and feet.

The hands and feet tend to be the most commonly affected areas in adults. The classic symptoms of eczema are: Itching.

This is the worst aspect because it can be upsetting for a young child with eczema. It also makes the child scratch causing further rawness of the skin and possible infections to develop. Redness caused by extra blood flowing through the blood vessels in the skin in the affected area. Crusts or scabs that form when the fluid dries. Children with eczema often have dry, scaly skin.

This may be the result of the eczema or it may also be the natural skin type of the family. Dry skin can be a predisposing factor to developing eczema. Pale patches of skin may appear because eczema can disturb the production of pigment, which controls skin colour. The effect does fade and disappear. Things that can worsen the skin reaction include sweat, stress, obesity, soaps, detergents, dust and pollen. Reduce your exposure to your triggers.

Infants and children may experience flares from eating certain foods, including eggs, milk, soy and wheat. Talk with your child's doctor about identifying potential food allergies.

Take a bleach bath. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends considering a bleach bath to help prevent flares. A diluted-bleach bath decreases bacteria on the skin and related infections. Measures are for a U. Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas of skin for about 10 minutes. Do not submerge the head. Take a bleach bath no more than twice a week. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Atopic dermatitis behind the knees Open pop-up dialog box Close. Atopic dermatitis behind the knees Atopic dermatitis can cause small, red bumps, which can be very itchy. Atopic dermatitis on the chest Open pop-up dialog box Close. Atopic dermatitis on the chest Inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis can cover large areas of the body, such as the chest, or be limited to a few small locations.

Infantile eczema Open pop-up dialog box Close. Infantile eczema In infants, atopic dermatitis infantile eczema usually appears as red, itchy patches that are associated with very dry skin. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Can baby eczema be prevented? Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references AskMayoExpert. Atopic dermatitis adult and pediatric. Rochester, Minn. Eichenfeld LF, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis.