The terms eczema or dermatitis are used to describe certain kinds of inflamed skin conditions including allergic contact dermatitis and nummular dermatitis. Eczema can be red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, or thickened and usually itches. A special type is called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema.
Atopic Dermatitis or Atopic Eczema
 The word atopic means there is tendency for excess inflammation in the skin and linings of the nose and lungs. This often runs in families with allergies such as hay fever and asthma, sensitive skin, or a history of atopic dermatitis. Although most people with atopic dermatitis have family members with similar problems, 20% of them are the only ones in their family with the condition.
Atopic dermatitis is very common in all parts of the world. It affects about 10% of infants and 3% of the total population in the United States. It can occur at any age but is most common in infants to young adults. The skin rash is very itchy and can be widespread, or limited to a few areas.
Infantile Eczema
When the disease starts in infancy, it is called infantile eczema. This is an itchy, oozing, crusting rash and occurs mainly on the face and scalp but patches can appear anywhere.
Eczema in Later Life
In teens and young adults, the patches typically occur on the hands and feet. However, any such area such as the bends of the elbows, backs of the knees, ankles, wrists, face, neck, and upper chest may be affected. When it appears on the palms, backs of the hands, fingers, or on the feet, there can be episodes of crusting and oozing.
Other eczema patches in this stage are typically dry, red to brownish-gray, and may be scaly or thickened. The thickened areas may last for four years without treatment. The intense almost unbearable itching can continue and may be noticeable at night.
Since the disease does not always follow the same pattern, proper, early and regular treatment can bring relief and may reduce the severity and duration of the disease.
|
