Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentPrevention and PrognosisSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention and Prognosis
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Eczemais a group of skin conditions that cause uncomfortable symptoms. One type, calledflexuraleczema, specifically affects the skin where your joints bend, such as the crease of your elbows and the back of your knees.
Learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention, and prognosis for flexural eczema in this article.
Flexural Eczema Symptoms
Eczema—also calledatopic dermatitis—causes the same types of symptoms in any part of the body that is affected. These can include:
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Babies often develop eczema on their scalp andface, while older children are more likely to have eczema in their creases.
Babies and very young children don’t have the ability to tell you their skin is itchy, but you might notice them rubbing against the sides of the crib or the carpet to try to scratch the itch. This discomfort also makes it more difficult for the child to sleep.
Repeatedly scratching the affected skin can lead to bleeding and increase the risk of infection. With time, the skin can also become thickened and/or leathery.
Symptoms of flexural eczema can come and go. When a person’s symptoms are present, they are experiencing a “flare-up.”
The exact cause of flexural eczema is not known. However, certain risk factors can increase a child’s risk of developing eczema, such as genetic factors or having parents with other immune system disorders, including asthma or allergies.
One genetic defect identified as a risk factor for atopic dermatitis is the lack of a protein called filaggrin.This protein is important for strengthening the skin barrier. When filaggrin is lacking, water can escape from the skin and dry it out. Allergens can more easily enter the body and cause a flare-up in symptoms.
Even if the exact cause of a child’s flexural eczema can’t be identified, several things are known to increase the risk of a flare-up.These can include:
There is no cure for flexural eczema, but some kids “outgrow” the condition as they get older.Others will continue to have flare-ups throughout adulthood. However, there are several treatments that can reduce symptoms during a flare-up.
The affected skin can be treated with topical creams that contain steroids to reduce inflammation.
Janus kinase inhibitors may be prescribed. These medications interfere with an enzyme that promotes inflammation. These include:
Dupixent (dupilumab) was approved in 2017 for cases of moderate-to-severe eczema.It is an injectable monoclonal antibody. It blocks a receptor to inhibit inflammation. Adbry (tralokinumab-ldrm) and Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz) are other biologic medications approved for eczema.
There are also several home remedies you can use for better comfort during a flare-up:
Flare-ups in flexural eczema can’t always be prevented, but you can decrease the risk of having severe symptoms. Make sure to stay well hydrated and dress in breathable fabrics, particularly when the weather is hot.
Avoid triggerswhenever possible. An allergist (doctor who specializes in treating allergies, asthma, and other immune system disorders) may do testing if you think you have an allergic trigger for your eczema.
Flexural eczema affects the skin where your joints bend, such as inside your elbows and behind your knees, especially in babies and children. The skin can be red and itchy. It may have an underlying genetic risk factor, and people with it often have allergies.
Treatment includes topical creams and prescriptions, as well as lifestyle measures to keep the skin hydrated and avoid triggers.
Frequently Asked QuestionsFlexural eczema is a specific type of atopic dermatitis.All types of eczema, including flexural eczema, are not contagious.The exact cause of flexural eczema is not known, but genetic defects and allergies can increase your risk of developing this condition.Unfortunately, skin discoloration that happens with eczema can often be permanent.
Flexural eczema is a specific type of atopic dermatitis.
All types of eczema, including flexural eczema, are not contagious.
The exact cause of flexural eczema is not known, but genetic defects and allergies can increase your risk of developing this condition.
Unfortunately, skin discoloration that happens with eczema can often be permanent.
7 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.DermNet NZ.Atopic flexural eczema images.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.Zaniboni MC, Samorano LP, Orfali RL, Aoki V.Skin barrier in atopic dermatitis: beyond filaggrin. An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(4):472-478. Doi:10.1590%2Fabd1806-4841.20164412MedlinePlus.FLG gene.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis 101.American Academy of Pediatrics.Eczema in babies and children.D’Ippolito D, Pisano M.Dupilumab (Dupixent): An interleukin-4 receptor antagonist for atopic dermatitis.P T. 2018;43(9):532-535.
7 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.DermNet NZ.Atopic flexural eczema images.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.Zaniboni MC, Samorano LP, Orfali RL, Aoki V.Skin barrier in atopic dermatitis: beyond filaggrin. An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(4):472-478. Doi:10.1590%2Fabd1806-4841.20164412MedlinePlus.FLG gene.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis 101.American Academy of Pediatrics.Eczema in babies and children.D’Ippolito D, Pisano M.Dupilumab (Dupixent): An interleukin-4 receptor antagonist for atopic dermatitis.P T. 2018;43(9):532-535.
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.
DermNet NZ.Atopic flexural eczema images.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.Zaniboni MC, Samorano LP, Orfali RL, Aoki V.Skin barrier in atopic dermatitis: beyond filaggrin. An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(4):472-478. Doi:10.1590%2Fabd1806-4841.20164412MedlinePlus.FLG gene.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis 101.American Academy of Pediatrics.Eczema in babies and children.D’Ippolito D, Pisano M.Dupilumab (Dupixent): An interleukin-4 receptor antagonist for atopic dermatitis.P T. 2018;43(9):532-535.
DermNet NZ.Atopic flexural eczema images.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.
Zaniboni MC, Samorano LP, Orfali RL, Aoki V.Skin barrier in atopic dermatitis: beyond filaggrin. An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(4):472-478. Doi:10.1590%2Fabd1806-4841.20164412
MedlinePlus.FLG gene.
National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis 101.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Eczema in babies and children.
D’Ippolito D, Pisano M.Dupilumab (Dupixent): An interleukin-4 receptor antagonist for atopic dermatitis.P T. 2018;43(9):532-535.
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