{"id":1146,"date":"2022-08-08T01:37:32","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T05:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aafa.org\/?page_id=1146"},"modified":"2025-10-07T13:59:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T17:59:45","slug":"eczema","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aafa.org\/allergies\/allergy-symptoms\/skin-allergies\/eczema\/","title":{"rendered":"Eczema"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Allergies<\/h2>\n

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Around 18.9 million adults and 8 million children in the U.S. have eczema. This equals about 1 in 14 adults and 1 in 9 children.1,2 <\/sup>About 60% of people will develop eczema in their first year of life.3<\/sup> Around 15 to 30% of children and 2 to 10% of adults have eczema at some point during their lifetime.4 <\/sup>Eczema can affect people of all races and ethnicities.<\/p>\n

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What Is Eczema?<\/h3>\n

Eczema is a group of chronic skin conditions that cause your skin to become inflamed. It is not contagious. It can cause your skin to be dry, itchy, red, and irritated. You may also develop rashes, blisters, scaly patches, weeping skin, and infections. The affected skin may change color \u2013 often gray, purple or deeper brown on darker skin tones and red or pink on lighter skin tones. Over time, the rash may become thick and hard.<\/p>\n

Eczema weakens the skin barrier, the barrier that helps your skin hold onto moisture and protects the body from outside irritants, infections, and allergens.<\/p>\n

\"Closeups<\/p>\n

What Are the Different Types of Eczema?<\/h3>\n

There are several types of eczema. Many are related to allergies.<\/p>\n

Atopic dermatitis<\/strong> is the most common form of eczema. Allergens, irritants, chemicals, temperature, and emotions can trigger this type of eczema. Your skin gets dry and itchy, which can lead to rashes and scaly patches. Atopic dermatitis is more common in infants and young children but can occur at any age.<\/p>\n

Contact dermatitis<\/strong><\/a> is an allergic skin condition caused by irritants and allergies. You usually get a rash soon after an irritant or allergen touches your skin (such as nickel, poison ivy, and latex). This rash is often called allergic contact dermatitis.<\/p>\n

Dyshidrotic eczema<\/strong> causes tiny, itchy blisters to appear on your hands or feet. This type of eczema can be painful and result in a burning feeling of the affected skin areas. It can be triggered by an allergy to items such as soaps, nickel, cobalt, sweat, and stress.<\/p>\n

Hand eczema<\/strong> is often seen in people who get their hands wet, wash their hands a lot, or are exposed to chemicals often. This can include medical professionals, plumbers, contractors, chefs, and hair stylists. It can cause the skin on your hands to crack and bleed.<\/p>\n

Neurodermatitis<\/strong> starts with a patch of itchy skin that becomes itchier as you scratch it. This itch can become intense when you sleep. People with atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders are more likely to have neurodermatitis.<\/p>\n

Nummular eczema<\/strong> causes small, raised, round, itchy spots to appear on your skin. It can be caused by a skin injury like a bug bite or scratch, a skin infection, stress, and heat.<\/p>\n

Seborrheic dermatitis<\/strong> is a type of eczema that usually affects your scalp.<\/p>\n

Stasis dermatitis<\/strong> occurs in people who have poor blood flow and circulation. It is common on the ankles because poor blood flow usually affects the legs. The affected skin usually becomes discolored.<\/p>\n

How Do Doctors Diagnose Eczema?<\/h3>\n

Primary care providers can diagnose and treat eczema. But they may also refer you to a dermatologist and\/or an allergist. They will ask about your medical history, symptoms, and what you think might have caused them. They will also do a physical exam. They may also do tests, such as allergy testing or patch testing. Routine lab work is generally not recommended and can cost a lot.<\/p>\n

Physical exam and review of medical history:<\/strong> During your appointment, the doctor will look at your rash and ask when it started and what was happening at that time. Where the rash shows up can depend on your age. Infants usually get rashes on their face, especially their cheeks, and on the outer parts of their arms and legs. Older kids and adults might get rashes in the folds of their arms and legs and sometimes on their hands and eyelids. The doctor might also ask if you did anything or were around something that could have caused the rash.<\/p>\n

Allergy test (skin prick or blood IgE tests):<\/strong> Your doctor may test you for allergies through a test on your skin or with a blood sample<\/a>. For example, it is common for people with atopic dermatitis to be allergic to dust mites.<\/p>\n

Patch test:<\/strong> Certain types of dermatitis might suggest contact allergy. If your doctor suspects contact dermatitis, they may ask you to wear skin patches containing small amounts of substances for two days. If you are allergic to the substance, you should develop a local itchy rash. The doctor will do a follow-up exam to check your reaction, usually 2 days after you remove the patch. Common examples of contact allergens include nickel, other metals, cosmetics, latex, and poison ivy.<\/p>\n

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?<\/h3>\n

Eczema can look and feel different for everyone. It usually shows up on your face, hands, arms, and legs, but it can show up on other parts of the body.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of eczema include:<\/p>\n