Can Eczema Spread to Other People?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Eczema?A Non-Contagious DiseaseHow You Get EczemaSimilar ConditionsHow It SpreadsCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Eczema?

A Non-Contagious Disease

How You Get Eczema

Similar Conditions

How It Spreads

Coping

When eczema is misunderstood, it can cause someone with the condition to be self-conscious about their skin. Studies show that eczema,psoriasis,skin cancer, and other skin conditions can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem, even causing people to avoid public contact.

This article discusses what eczema is and reasons why someone might be diagnosed with it. It explains how this skin condition can progress and ways of coping with eczema.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoKwarkot / Getty Images

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a relatively common chronic inflammatory condition affecting the skin. The most common kind of eczema is atopic dermatitis. That’s usually the kind people mean if they use the word “eczema," though there are othertypes of dermatitis.

Eczema causessymptomsof itchy, red, and scaly skin. The intense itching can lead to further scratching,inflammation, and irritation. Sometimes the skin might bleed or ooze clear fluid.

How to Treat Toddler Eczema

There are other kinds of eczema that are likewise not contagious. For example, you might get red and itchy skin from contact dermatitis (contact eczema), after you are exposed to an allergen.Seborrheic dermatitis(also known as seborrheic eczema) can cause scaly patches and red skin on the scalp.

Stigma of Eczema

Infectious Diseases

How You Do Get Eczema?

Genetic factors are thought to be part of the cause of atopic dermatitis.For example, changes in thefilaggrinprotein found in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) may weaken the skin barrier. The skin then responds to environmental exposures that cause inflammation.

The skin microbiome may be an underlying cause, too.Though there are various environmental causes that can trigger symptoms in predisposed people, none of those have to do with hygiene.

Possible contributing factors to developing eczema include:

Skin Conditions That Can Spread

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can sometimes be mistaken for medical conditions that are due to infections. For example, some of the following might lead to similar symptoms as eczema:

Because of this association in people’s minds, it is not surprising that some people might mistakenly think your eczema is an infectious condition.

Eczema can also be confused with other skin conditions that are not contagious. For example,psoriasisis an inflammatory skin condition that also cannot be passed from person to person. Another common example is the skin conditionpityriasis alba. Some people also have specific cancers or genetic disorders that can cause similar skin symptoms.

Eczema vs. Shingles: What Are the Differences?

How Eczema Infections Spread on a Person

Eczema leaves the skinsusceptible to developing infectionsin and around the affected areas. So people with eczema do sometimes develop infectious complications, some of which might be contagious.

For example, people with eczema are somewhat more likely than people without eczema to develop an infection fromStaphylococcus aureusbacteria.However, most of the time this isn’t a concern. If your skin symptoms aren’t out of the ordinary, you can usually assume that no secondary infection is present.

If your skin is hot, pus-filled, and painful, that might be a sign that you have a secondary infection that needs medical attention.If you have worries about that, you should take precautions to use basic hygiene and keep anyone from touching the area. You’ll need to see a health professional to evaluate what is going on.

Coping With Eczema

Eczema symptoms can lead to other problems, like difficulty sleeping because of the itching. It can interfere with work, sports, and other activities. Or, especially witheczema in children, it might lead to depression, self-esteem problems, and other emotional and psychological challenges.

In some cases, you may become anxious and self-isolate because of the disease.Talking with your friends, family, or even a support group can help you and others to accept your eczema.

Your healthcare provider can answer additional questions. Be sure to ask your provider about treatment options, complications from eczema, and other concerns.

Coping With the Emotional Impact of Eczema

Summary

Eczema is a skin condition that causes itchy, dry, red skin. It’s not a contagious disease that you can spread or catch. While there are a number of factors that contribute to eczema, genetic and environmental factors are what cause the symptoms.

A correct diagnosis is important to ensure that your symptoms are due to eczema and not another cause. A healthcare provider can evaluate and diagnose your condition, as well as offer treatment options.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Eczema isn’t Contagious But You Might Have Your Parents To Thank If You Have It.Tuckman A.The Potential Psychological Impact of Skin Conditions.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017 Jan;7(Suppl 1):53-57. doi: 10.1007/s13555-016-0169-7.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Overview of Atopic Dermatitis.National Library of Medicine.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic Dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Eczema Causes and Triggers.Akhtar S, Alsayed RKME, Ahmad F, AlHammadi A, Al-Khawaga S, AlHarami SMAM,et al.Epigenetic control of inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis.Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2024 Feb 15;154(Pt C):199-207. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.04.005.McLean WHI.Filaggrin failure - from ichthyosis vulgaris to atopic eczema and beyond.Br J Dermatol. 2016;175:4-7. doi:10.1111/bjd.14997Luschkova D, Zeiser K, Ludwig A, Traidl-Hoffmann C.Atopic eczema is an environmental disease.Allergol Select. 2021;5:244-250. doi:10.5414/ALX02258ESiegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis: Mimics, Overlaps, and Complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884National Eczema Association.Staph & Eczema: A Skin-Duo You Need to Know About.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Eczema physical and emotional effects.National Eczema Association.Eczema and Mental Health.

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Eczema isn’t Contagious But You Might Have Your Parents To Thank If You Have It.Tuckman A.The Potential Psychological Impact of Skin Conditions.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017 Jan;7(Suppl 1):53-57. doi: 10.1007/s13555-016-0169-7.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Overview of Atopic Dermatitis.National Library of Medicine.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic Dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Eczema Causes and Triggers.Akhtar S, Alsayed RKME, Ahmad F, AlHammadi A, Al-Khawaga S, AlHarami SMAM,et al.Epigenetic control of inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis.Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2024 Feb 15;154(Pt C):199-207. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.04.005.McLean WHI.Filaggrin failure - from ichthyosis vulgaris to atopic eczema and beyond.Br J Dermatol. 2016;175:4-7. doi:10.1111/bjd.14997Luschkova D, Zeiser K, Ludwig A, Traidl-Hoffmann C.Atopic eczema is an environmental disease.Allergol Select. 2021;5:244-250. doi:10.5414/ALX02258ESiegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis: Mimics, Overlaps, and Complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884National Eczema Association.Staph & Eczema: A Skin-Duo You Need to Know About.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Eczema physical and emotional effects.National Eczema Association.Eczema and Mental Health.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Eczema Association.Eczema isn’t Contagious But You Might Have Your Parents To Thank If You Have It.Tuckman A.The Potential Psychological Impact of Skin Conditions.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017 Jan;7(Suppl 1):53-57. doi: 10.1007/s13555-016-0169-7.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Overview of Atopic Dermatitis.National Library of Medicine.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic Dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Eczema Causes and Triggers.Akhtar S, Alsayed RKME, Ahmad F, AlHammadi A, Al-Khawaga S, AlHarami SMAM,et al.Epigenetic control of inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis.Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2024 Feb 15;154(Pt C):199-207. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.04.005.McLean WHI.Filaggrin failure - from ichthyosis vulgaris to atopic eczema and beyond.Br J Dermatol. 2016;175:4-7. doi:10.1111/bjd.14997Luschkova D, Zeiser K, Ludwig A, Traidl-Hoffmann C.Atopic eczema is an environmental disease.Allergol Select. 2021;5:244-250. doi:10.5414/ALX02258ESiegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis: Mimics, Overlaps, and Complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884National Eczema Association.Staph & Eczema: A Skin-Duo You Need to Know About.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Eczema physical and emotional effects.National Eczema Association.Eczema and Mental Health.

National Eczema Association.Eczema isn’t Contagious But You Might Have Your Parents To Thank If You Have It.

Tuckman A.The Potential Psychological Impact of Skin Conditions.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017 Jan;7(Suppl 1):53-57. doi: 10.1007/s13555-016-0169-7.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Overview of Atopic Dermatitis.

National Library of Medicine.Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

National Eczema Association.Seborrheic Dermatitis.

National Eczema Association.Eczema Causes and Triggers.

Akhtar S, Alsayed RKME, Ahmad F, AlHammadi A, Al-Khawaga S, AlHarami SMAM,et al.Epigenetic control of inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis.Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2024 Feb 15;154(Pt C):199-207. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.04.005.

McLean WHI.Filaggrin failure - from ichthyosis vulgaris to atopic eczema and beyond.Br J Dermatol. 2016;175:4-7. doi:10.1111/bjd.14997

Luschkova D, Zeiser K, Ludwig A, Traidl-Hoffmann C.Atopic eczema is an environmental disease.Allergol Select. 2021;5:244-250. doi:10.5414/ALX02258E

Siegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis: Mimics, Overlaps, and Complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884

National Eczema Association.Staph & Eczema: A Skin-Duo You Need to Know About.

Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Eczema physical and emotional effects.

National Eczema Association.Eczema and Mental Health.

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