Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common allergic skin disease, which can affect all age groups, but is most common in young children under the age of five. Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, it's considered a hereditary condition most often associated with food allergies, asthma and allergic rhinitis. In fact, 80 percent of children with eczema have allergies, yet allergies are only a part of what causes eczema. This skin condition can be very uncomfortable and affect your quality of life.
The Top 3 Factors in Diagnosing Eczema:
- Skin is extremely itchy
- Eczematous or bubbly rash
- An atopic (allergic) individual
Almost always, eczema itches. The severity of the disease can vary - in mild forms, the skin is dry, hot and itchy, while in more severe forms, the skin can form cracks, become raw and bleed.
In Infants
Eczema usually appears as a weepy, scaly rash on the cheeks, scalp, neck, backs of the arms, fronts of the legs or torso. In an attempt to relieve the itching, babies may rub or scratch their faces against a bed sheet or other object and aggravate the eczema by stimulating inflammation.
In Children and Toddlers
Eczema can look like dry, scaly patches usually localized in skin folds, behind the knees, inside the elbows, at the wrists and ankles and at the side of the neck.
In Teens and Adults
The condition can be limited to one or few areas, such as the hands and feet and around the nipples and lips.
A number of different irritants and allergens can cause flare ups of eczema. They include:
- Excessive moisture from sweating and climate extremes - both cold, dry air and hot, humid weather.
- Dust mites, which breed in mattresses and carpeting.
- Contact with irritants, such as wool or abrasive fabrics, soaps or detergents.
- Certain food. Food allergy alone is not a common cause of eczema, even when a positive skin test reveals an allergy to a specific food.
There seems to be a connection between eczema and other allergic conditions, and vice-versa. Children who have had significant eczema in infancy often develop a sensitivity to airborne allergens at about age two or three years old, whether the eczema is still present or not. However, it is still not clear whether airborne allergens play a role in aggravating eczema. Research shows that about 80 percent of children with severe eczema are at risk of developing asthma or hay fever, while 60 percent of children with troublesome asthma experience eczema at some time.
