Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
In Babies and Children
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to Seek Care
Next in Eczema Guide
There are several types of eczema, withatopic dermatitisbeing the most common.More than 31 million Americans have eczema, which can occur at any stage of life.
This article examines the types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023
One in 10 Americans has atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema.
Types of Eczema
Although the symptoms are similar, there are several different types of eczema. They include:
How I Identified and Manage My Eczema Triggers
Eczema Symptoms
Eczema symptoms are different for everyone. You can experience some, all, or just a few signs, and they can come and go. The most common eczema symptoms are:
Where Do Symptoms Appear?
Where eczema symptoms appear can depend on what type you have. For example, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis can occur anywhere on the body.Other types of eczema generally only appear on specific body parts, such as thehands,legs, orfeet.
Eczema vs. PsoriasisPsoriasisand eczema can have similar symptoms, such as rash and itchiness, but they are not the same. While eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition, psoriasis is a less common autoimmune disease that can causeinflammation throughout the bodyand lead to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.
Eczema vs. Psoriasis
Psoriasisand eczema can have similar symptoms, such as rash and itchiness, but they are not the same. While eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition, psoriasis is a less common autoimmune disease that can causeinflammation throughout the bodyand lead to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.
Is Eczema an Autoimmune Disease or Something Else?
What Causes Eczema?
Eczema is a complex condition with causes that are not yet fully understood. Environmental factors (such as where you live and what irritants you’re exposed to), genetics, and having an overactive immune system are all believed to play a role in developing eczema.Risk factorsinclude a family history of eczema or allergies, high levels of stress, and extremely dry skin.
What Causes Eczema Flare-Ups?
Many triggers can cause eczema toflare up, and flare-ups often don’t occur until sometime after exposure to the trigger. Common triggers for eczema flare-ups include:
Eczema in Babies and Children
When eczema occurs inbabies, it is usually due to something irritating their sensitive skin, such as cleansers or soaps, lotions, or home products. Dry air, cold, or food allergies can also trigger eczema in babies.
There is no cure foreczema in children, but it can usually be controlled through treatments such as moisturizers, prescription medications, and managing triggers.
Is Eczema Contagious?Eczema is not contagiousand cannot be caught or spread from one person to another.
Is Eczema Contagious?
Eczema is not contagiousand cannot be caught or spread from one person to another.
How Eczema Is Diagnosed
A healthcare provider can usuallydiagnose eczemabased on symptoms, an exam, andfamily and health history. Apatch testfor allergies or skin biopsy might also need to be performed.
Management and Treatment of Eczema
Since there isno cure for eczema,treatmentsfocus on managing symptoms and triggers, andreducing flare-ups.
Medication
Medications to treat skin itching and inflammation, keep skin moist, and prevent infection are sometimes used to treat eczema. They can include:
Specialized light therapy (phototherapy) is considered a safe treatment for eczema and can be used in adults or children. The treatment uses special light bulbs or a laser two to three times a week. It is usually done in a healthcare provider’s office, although some patients can use at-home devices.
Lifestyle Changes
To manage eczema, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to identify possible triggers, and work on limiting exposure to them. Adopting a skin care routine that includes bathing,using moisturizer, and being gentle with the skin is also important.
Prevention Tips
When to Seek Care for Eczema
If you think you have eczema, seeing a healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis is essential because eczema canmimic other conditions. Although eczema is not contagious, it can worsen without developing a treatment plan to manage the condition.
If you have eczema, you should always contact your healthcare provider regarding new or worsening symptoms.
Summary
15 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.What is eczema?National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Neurodermatitis.Forefront Dermatology.Ringworm vs. eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema resource center.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.How to stop itching.
15 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.What is eczema?National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Neurodermatitis.Forefront Dermatology.Ringworm vs. eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema resource center.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.How to stop itching.
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.What is eczema?National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Neurodermatitis.Forefront Dermatology.Ringworm vs. eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema resource center.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.How to stop itching.
National Eczema Association.What is eczema?
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.
National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Neurodermatitis.
Forefront Dermatology.Ringworm vs. eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema resource center.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.
National Eczema Association.How to stop itching.
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