Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a conditionthat causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked.<\/p>\n
Atopic eczema is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday. But it may also develop for the first time in adults.<\/p>\n
It's usually a long-term (chronic) condition, although it can improve significantly, or even clear completely, in some children as they get older.<\/p>\n
Atopic eczemacauses the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore.<\/p>\n
Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.<\/p>\n
Inflamed skin can become red on lighter skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on darker skin. This can also be more difficult to see on darker skin.<\/p>\n
Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body,it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children.<\/p>\n
People with atopic eczema usuallyhave periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe (flare-ups).<\/p>\n
See a GP if you have symptoms of atopic eczema. They'll usually be able to diagnose atopic eczema by looking at your skin and asking questions, such as:<\/p>\n
Typically, to be diagnosed with atopic eczema you should have had an itchy skin condition in the last 12 months and 3 or more of the following:<\/p>\n
The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown, but it's clear it is not down to one single thing.<\/p>\n
Atopic eczema often occurs in people who get allergies. \"Atopic\" means sensitivity to allergens.<\/p>\n
Itcan run in families, and oftendevelops alongside other conditions, such asasthma and hay fever.<\/p>\n
The symptoms of atopic eczemaoften have certaintriggers, such as soaps, detergents, stress and the weather.<\/p>\n
Sometimesfood allergies can play a part, especially in young children with severe eczema.<\/p>\n
You may be asked to keep a food diaryto try to determine whether a specific food makes your symptoms worse.<\/p>\n
Allergy testsare not usually needed, although they're sometimes helpful in identifyingwhether a food allergy may be triggering symptoms.<\/p>\n
Treatment for atopic eczema canhelp to relieve the symptoms and many cases improve over time.<\/p>\n
Butthere's currently no cure andsevere eczema often has a significant impact on daily life, whichmay be difficult tocope with physically and mentally.<\/p>\n
There's also an increased risk of skin infections.<\/p>\n
Many different treatments can be used to control symptoms and manage eczema, including:<\/p>\n
Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin.<\/p>\n
Other types of eczema include:<\/p>\n
Page last reviewed: 05 December 2019Next review due: 05 December 2022 <\/p>\n
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