Also known as dermatitis, atopic dermatitis or eczema, this is a common skin disease affecting both children and adults. It impacts approximately 20% of children, with 70% of affected cases occurring in those under age 5. About 50% of children continue experiencing symptoms into adulthood, while roughly 3% of adults develop eczema for the first time.
Symptoms and Signs
Infants and Young Children
- Itching often with scratching or infants rubbing against bedding or objects
- Poor sleep
- Dry and scaly patches affecting scalp, forehead and face (mainly cheeks)
- Other body parts can be involved
- Open scratched areas can become infected, leading to yellowish crusting and oozing
Older Children and Adults
- Rashes appear mainly in body folds (knees, elbows)
- Other commonly affected areas include the neck, wrist, ankles and area between buttocks and legs
- Untreated skin can become thickened and leathery, sometimes darkening or lightening
- Skin can appear bumpy, resembling goose bumps
Causes
Eczema is thought to have a genetic origin, affecting mainly people with family members who have eczema, asthma or hayfever. A small number of children may have food allergies that worsen their eczema. In some adults, eczema can affect only the hands, scalp or face.
Treatment
Treatment approaches vary for each patient and usually involve skin care and lifestyle modifications. Depending on severity, treatment may be topical or systemic, including oral steroids or immunosuppressants. Topical options include emollients, topical steroids, and topical immunomodulators like Elidel or Protopic. Bleach baths may be suggested to reduce infection frequency.