What does eczema look like?
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, causes breakouts of dry, red, itchy rashes to appear on your skin. While it can show up at any age, eczema commonly appears before age 5 and continues through adulthood.
Atopic dermatitis can cause extreme itching spells and severe inflammation of the skin. It’s important not to scratch these rashes since doing so inflames and aggravates them.
The appearance of eczema may vary from person to person, but common signs and symptoms include:
- Thickened, rough, sometimes scaly patches on your skin
- Red, brown, or otherwise discolored blotches
- Extreme itching that begins before the rash is visible
- Tiny, raised bumps that may leak fluid when scratched
Eczema rashes can appear on any part of your body, but the most common places they occur include:
- Hands and feet
- Inside the knees
- Inside the elbows
- On the face
No matter where eczema develops on your body, repeatedly scratching the lesions can lead to open wounds. To prevent infection, seek treatment for atopic dermatitis as soon as possible.
What causes eczema?
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that’s very common in children under age five. Although this disease continues throughout your entire life, it’s possible to experience short periods of eczema flare-ups with years of clear skin in between.
It’s possible to have eczema flare-ups in response to irritants in the environment, such as:
- Soaps and lotions
- Certain fabrics
- Stress
- Foods you’re allergic to
- Pollen
- Animal dander
- Cleaning products
- Getting too hot or too cold
Eczema isn’t contagious, and the exact cause remains unknown. Experts believe eczema may be related to an overactive immune response to a particular irritant. Many people with eczema also have a family history of allergies or asthma.
How is eczema treated?
First, Dr. Humeniuk performs a physical exam. During this time, he visually checks your skin and asks questions about your medical history. He may be able to diagnose eczema by looking at the rash. If not, he may need to biopsy the area to ensure it’s not a more severe skin condition.
After diagnosing your eczema, Dr. Humeniuk discusses your treatment options. Eczema rashes are notoriously challenging to treat. Although no cure exists for eczema, you can still maintain a normal life by managing the symptoms.
No matter where eczema develops on your body, repeatedly scratching the lesions can lead to open wounds. To prevent infection, seek treatment for atopic dermatitis as soon as possible.
If you are suffering from the itchy, red rashes of eczema, call John M. Humeniuk MD, LLC or request an appointment online today.
