Types of Eczema
Two of the most common types of eczema are atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is what most people think of as eczema. It's called "the itch that rashes," because the itch comes first, and when the skin is scratched, a rash often breaks out. Atopic dermatitis comes and goes and sometimes it is tough to find the cause. The itch, though, is almost always there.
Here's what to look for:
- It often shows up on folds of the skin. That includes the neck, behind the knees and the bend of the arm. It also often shows up on the face, ankles, palms and soles.
- It looks different on different people. Sometimes it's dry, red and scaly; sometimes it's bubbly and oozing. The skin can get so dry it cracks. Sometimes you can't see anything on the skin other than red fingernail marks left by the scratching.
Here are some things to know about atopic dermatitis:
- It's common. Ten to 20 percent of children have atopic dermatitis. It's three to four times more common than it was 50 years ago.
- It usually develops before age 5. Nine in 10 kids with atopic dermatitis develop the condition before age 5.
- Many kids will outgrow it. About half of kids with atopic dermatitis will outgrow it when they reach adulthood. The condition is less severe in adults than in children.
Contact Dermatitis
Quite simply, contact dermatitis is something that touches the skin and then causes a rash. The rash may be due to:
- An irritation caused by something such as a chemical, soap or detergent.
- An allergic reaction to something such as rubber, nickel jewelry or poison ivy.
Neither type of eczema is contagious, but it's really uncomfortable. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help keep the condition under control or at least make it less severe. For frequent eczema outbreaks, a dermatologist can help.
If your child has scaly, bumpy "chicken skin" on the cheeks, arms and sometimes thighs that doesn't itch it is probably not eczema. It may be something called keratosis pilaris, which is very common, affecting 50 percent to 80 percent of children and about 40 percent of adults. The condition is not harmful, and other than looking strange, it's usually not bothersome. Lotions that contain salicylic acid, lactic acid or urea may help make it less noticeable. A dermatologist can suggest the best treatment for your child. The condition often disappears as a child grows up.
If your child would like to learn more about eczema, he or she can visit Eczema: Itchy Skin.
Next: What Causes Eczema
Photo references:
Atopic dermatitis, Allergic reaction, and Allergic contact dermatitis: Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
