Version July 2025
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What is eczema? —
Eczema, also called "atopic dermatitis," is a skin condition that makes the skin itchy and flaky. Doctors do not know what causes it. It often happens in people who have allergies. It can also run in families.
What are the symptoms of eczema? —
The symptoms can include:
●Intense itching
●Color changes – In people with light skin, areas with eczema might look red or pink. In people with dark skin, they might appear dark brown, purple, or gray. Sometimes, there is a patch of skin that looks lighter than the skin around it.
●Small bumps – These might look like dots or goosebumps (picture 1).
●Skin that flakes off or forms scales (picture 2)
Most people with eczema have their first symptoms before they turn 5. But eczema can look different in people of different ages:
●In babies and children younger than 2 years old, eczema tends to affect the front of the arms and legs, cheeks, or scalp (picture 3). The diaper area is not usually affected.
●In older children and adults, eczema often affects the sides of the neck, the elbow creases, and the backs of the knees (picture 4). Adults can also get it on their wrists, hands, forearms, and face (picture 5).
●In older children and adults, the skin can become thicker over time (picture 6), and can even form scars from too much scratching.
Is there a test for eczema? —
No. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have eczema by looking at your skin and asking about your symptoms.
What can I do to reduce symptoms? —
You can use unscented, thick moisturizing creams and ointments to keep your skin from getting too dry.
If possible, try to avoid or limit things that can make eczema worse. These include:
●Being too hot or sweating too much
●Being in very dry air
●Stress or worry
●Sudden temperature changes
●Harsh soaps or cleaning products
●Perfumes
●Wool or synthetic fabrics (like polyester)
How is eczema treated? —
There are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms, but eczema cannot be cured. Even so, about half of children with eczema grow out of it by the time they become adults.
Treatments for eczema include:
●Moisturizing creams or ointments – These help keep the skin moist. In some cases, your doctor or nurse might suggest using a moist dressing over special creams or medicines. It helps to put on your cream or ointment right after a bath or shower.
Some people try products you put in the bathtub, such as oil or oatmeal. But these have been found to not help with eczema symptoms.
●Steroid creams and ointments – These can help with itching and swelling. In severe cases, you might need steroids as pills. But your doctor or nurse will want you to stop taking steroid pills as soon as possible. Even though these medicines help, they can also cause problems of their own.
●Other creams and ointments – Your doctor can prescribe these to help treat eczema on sensitive areas, such as your face or groin, or if other creams and ointments do not work.
●Antihistamine pills – These are medicines people often take for allergies. But they can sometimes relieve itching related to eczema.
Itching is sometimes worse at night, which can make it hard to sleep. If you have this problem, tell your doctor or nurse. They might recommend an antihistamine that can also help you sleep.
●Phototherapy – Your skin is exposed to a special kind of light called "ultraviolet" light. This is usually done in a doctor's office. But this treatment is not used very much.
Doctors usually recommend phototherapy for people who do not get better with other treatments.
●Medicines that change how the immune system works – These are only for people who do not get better with moisturizers and prescription steroid creams or ointments.
Can eczema be prevented? —
Experts don't know. Babies who have a parent or sibling with eczema have a higher risk of getting it. For these babies, good skin care might be helpful, especially in cold or dry areas. Good skin care includes using moisturizing creams or ointments. But doctors don't yet know if this actually helps prevent eczema from happening later.
If you use cream or ointment on your newborn, wash your hands first. This helps lower the risk of getting germs on your baby's skin that could cause infection. Try to use products that come in a tube, instead of a jar you dip your fingers in.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you have signs of a very bad allergic reaction called "anaphylaxis." These include:
●Hives, which are raised or puffy areas of skin that are itchy
●Swelling, usually of the face, eyelids, ears, mouth, hands, or feet
●Flushing or itching of the eyes or the skin on most of the body (without hives)
●Runny nose or swelling of the tongue
●Trouble breathing, noisy breathing (wheezing), coughing, or voice changes
●Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
●Feeling dizzy or passing out
●Looking sick, seeming sleepier than usual, or not acting normally (in babies and young children)
Call for advice if:
●You have signs of an infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●Your eczema is making you feel anxious or depressed – There are treatments that can help with this.
●You have trouble sleeping because you are itching.
●Your eczema:
•Has pus or yellow scabs on it
•Gets worse or covers most of your body
•Is on your eyes or lips, or if you get a rash or blisters in your mouth
•Gets worse after you were around someone with cold sores or fever blisters
Patient education: Itchy skin (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use topical medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Topical corticosteroid medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Phototherapy (The Basics)
Patient education: Anaphylaxis (The Basics)
Patient education: Patch testing (The Basics)
Patient education: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Anaphylaxis symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Anaphylaxis treatment and prevention of recurrences (Beyond the Basics)
