Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFactorsFlare-Up TriggersStagesFinding the Right TreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Factors
Flare-Up Triggers
Stages
Finding the Right Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
This article will explain how long eczema lasts, its flares and remission, and how some people outgrow eczema.
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Factors That Determine How Long Eczema Lasts
However, your flare-up could be longer or shorter than that depending on what treatment you use and whether you are able to identify and avoid your triggers. The sooner you are able to both treat your flare and identify its trigger, the sooner you’ll begin to heal.
Eczema Flare-Up Triggers
Flare-ups are often linked to eczema triggers. Scientists are still working to understand why certain things trigger eczema symptoms, but it appears that people with eczema have an overactive immune system.
In order to reduce how long eczema lasts, you will need to identify your triggers. Triggers can include:
Other commontriggers for eczema flare-upsinclude:
In addition to your triggers, how well your body responds to treatment will also determine how long your flares last. For example, if your symptoms usually clear up after using steroid cream, you’re less likely to have a long-lasting flare than someone who doesn’t respond to treatment.
Staying Ahead of Eczema
Keeping a symptom journal can help you identify your triggers. Write down any new products you’re using, new foods you’ve tried, or new clothing or other materials you’ve come into contact with. Then, you can reflect on what has recently changed when symptoms appear.
In addition, following these steps can help limit your exposure to triggers:
Eczema Stages
Although knowing what triggers your eczema is a first step toward getting eczema to go away, the results won’t be immediate. You’re likely to move throughseveral eczema healing stages.
During Healing
Although there’s a recognized progression through these stages, that’s not always how eczema behaves. Sometimes, you can move from the subacute back to the acute stage, or begin having symptoms at the subacute stage.
Chronic Eczema
How to Find the Right Treatment Combination
There are manytreatments for eczema. It may take some trial and error to find the one that works best for you. When you’re trying a new therapy, keep a diary of how your symptoms respond. This can provide valuable information to you and your healthcare provider as you move forward with treatment options.
Treatments for eczema can include:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Eczema symptoms can be unbearable for kids and adults alike. Limiting your exposure to triggers and promptly treating flare-ups may help reduce the length of your symptoms. When you experience a flare-up, call your healthcare provider for treatment advice.
Eczema may resolve on its own if it’s untreated. However, treatments like daily moisturizing and applying over-the-counter or prescription steroid cream can help make you more comfortable. They might also cause your symptoms to clear more quickly.
Avoiding triggers and following your treatment regime is the best way to clear eczema quickly. On average, flares resolve within two weeks. In addition, your healthcare provider may have tips for you specifically on managing triggers and speeding up recovery.
5 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.Abuabara, Katrina, David J Margolis, and Sinéad M Langan.The long-term course of atopic dermatitis. Dermatologic Clinics. 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.det.2017.02.003.National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes & strategies for prevention.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Eczema.
5 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.Abuabara, Katrina, David J Margolis, and Sinéad M Langan.The long-term course of atopic dermatitis. Dermatologic Clinics. 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.det.2017.02.003.National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes & strategies for prevention.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Eczema.
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.
Abuabara, Katrina, David J Margolis, and Sinéad M Langan.The long-term course of atopic dermatitis. Dermatologic Clinics. 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.det.2017.02.003.National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes & strategies for prevention.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Eczema.
Abuabara, Katrina, David J Margolis, and Sinéad M Langan.The long-term course of atopic dermatitis. Dermatologic Clinics. 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.det.2017.02.003.
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.
National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes & strategies for prevention.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Eczema.
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