Understanding Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Eczema (EG-zih-mah) is a skin condition that usually comes and goes. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis (ay-TOP-ick dur-ma-TIE-tiss), which is an inflammation of the skin. During a flare-up, the skin becomes extremely itchy, red, scaly, and irritated. Eczema can be widespread or limited to a few areas of the body depending on your age.

Atopic dermatitis affects about 35 million people in the United States. This disease can occur at any age, but atopic dermatitis first appears most often in infants and young children.

Most people with atopic dermatitis have family members with atopic dermatitis as well. However atopic dermatitis does not spread from person to person.

Eczema Causes

No one really knows what causes eczema (atopic dermatitis), however, we do know of certain things that can cause eczema to "flare-up", or get worse. A flare-up occurs when the immune system in people's skin overreacts to environmental or emotional triggers and causes symptoms such as an itchy rash to appear.

People with eczema may have a unique set of causes, or triggers, that produce a skin rash. Some of the more common causes of eczema flare-ups include:

• Changes in temperature or humidity
  
• Chemical irritants, such as pesticides, paint strippers, alcohol, astringents, perfumes, harsh soaps, detergents, and household cleaners
  
• Physical irritants, such as clothes made of rough or scratchy fabrics, like wool
  
• Allergies (to dust, pollen, mold, animal dander, etc.)
  
• Intense emotion or stress
  
• Infections of any kind

People with eczema should work closely with their healthcare providers to determine what triggers their eczema flare-ups. They can then take steps to avoid these triggers and minimize the onset of a skin rash.

How Common is Eczema

Many people have eczema (atopic dermatitis). It is a very common problem in the United States. In fact, eczema is the most common skin problem in children under the age of 12. Children with a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, or uncle who have or have had eczema, asthma, or hay fever often have eczema themselves. In fact, if both parents have eczema, there is an 80% chance that their children will too. However, even people who don't have these conditions in their families can develop eczema too.

Eczema appears most often in early childhood. Nine out of 10 people who have eczema get it before they are 5 years old. People who have it as children may always have dry or extra-sensitive skin, even as adults.