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Eczema News & Updates
Face Masks and Facial Eczema: What You Can Do
Wearing face masks is the right thing to do during the pandemic, but they can cause of worsen eczema. Learn strategies to prevent symptoms.
What’s Causing My Eczema? 6 Common Triggers
Learn about six common triggers of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, and what you can do about it to relieve symptoms.
New Survey Examines Eczema and Topical Steroids
Allergy & Asthma Network invites you to take part in a survey addressing eczema and long-term use of topical steroids.
Ask the Allergist: How Depression and Anxiety Can Impact Asthma, Allergies and Eczema
It can be overwhelming for some people to manage their asthma, allergies or eczema on a daily basis. Learn how to find help.
Ask the Allergist: The Food Allergy-Eczema Connection
Allergist Allison Ramsey answers the question: What is the connection between food allergies and eczema (atopic dermatitis), especially in young children?
Ask the Allergist: Eczema Symptoms and Race
Q: Eczema is common among all races, but some groups are more at risk. What are some of the unique...
When Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) is Difficult to Control
Learn the common triggers of eczema symptoms and appropriate management and treatment strategies, including the latest FDA-approved treatments.
Ask the Allergist: Breaking the Itch-Scratch Cycle
Dr. Stanley Fineman answers the Ask the Allergist question: when my eczema flares, it’s hard to keep from scratching. How can I stop this cycle?
Allergy Shots May Treat Eczema, Too
Results of a new study show that treatment with immunotherapy for allergies may also help eczema and nasal allergy symptoms.
Ask the Allergist: Winter Eczema Tips
Dr. Purvi Parikh answers the Ask the Allergist question: why are eczema flares common in winter? Is there anything patients can do to prevent symptoms?
Handling Severe Atopic Dermatitis
Dr. Weily Soong reviewed the causes, triggers and current and future treatment options for atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
All About
Eczema is a skin irritation that causes red, itchy, inflamed patches of skin. It’s common in infants and affects around 3% of children and adults in the United States. While children may outgrow it, for others eczema is a lifelong condition.
Though eczema has no cure, it is manageable and not contagious.
In infants, eczema most often appears on the scalp or face, causing crusty or oily scaled patches. Children and adults get eczema rashes at the knees, elbows, neck, wrists, ankles, feet, or face. It usually presents as a scaly, itchy, dry rash and may thicken the skin or change its color if untreated.
A few of the conditions under the umbrella term “eczema,” include:
- Atopic dermatitis: a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: occurs where you have plenty of oil glands, often on the scalp and face, sometimes the ears or chest.
- Stasis dermatitis: pressure build-up in blood veins, often in lower legs, forcing fluid to leak out and onto the skin.
- Contact dermatitis: a reaction to an allergen or irritant that touches the skin.
- Dyshidrotic eczema: fluid-filled blisters that appear mostly on hands and feet, usually caused by sweat, water or exposure to nickel
- Nummular eczema: itchy, coin-shaped spots or lesions that appear on the hands, arms, chest or legs.
You can prevent eczema flare-ups by moisturizing, paying attention to and avoiding possible triggers and monitoring the use of harsh detergents and cleaners in your home.
Eczema treatment centers on relieving symptoms and preventing infection due to scratching. You may be prescribed over-the-counter lotions with hydrocortisone, antihistamines and cold compresses for itching. In severe cases, prescription corticosteroids or UV light therapy may be useful.