Your Health / Conditions / Skin Conditions / Dry and Itchy Skin, or Is It Eczema?
Published on Sep 16, 2019
Authored by Mark Levenberg, DO, FAAD
No one likes having dry, scaly, or itchy skin. And though it may seem like a problem that comes and goes, perhaps with cold or dry weather, or simply a sign for the need to moisturise, it may also be a sign of a medical condition called atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Eczema is a broad term that healthcare professionals use to describe a general group of conditions that may cause red, inflamed, and itchy skin. Atopic dermatitis—considered a severe form of eczema—is a chronic (long-lasting), non-contagious inflammatory skin disease marked by periodic flares. It is characterised by significant itching that can be worse at night, can disrupt sleep and can have serious emotional effects like embarrassment and anxiety.
Atopic dermatitis causes patches of rash commonly located on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet, but it can appear anywhere on the body. And while there is no cure for the condition, atopic dermatitis can be managed with treatment and lifestyle changes.
Atopic dermatitis most often occurs in babies and children. Childhood atopic dermatitis may go away or improve with age, but in some cases the condition persists into adulthood. It’s rare for an adult to get atopic dermatitis. In fact, 90% of people get it before the age of 5.
Though its cause is not fully understood, the condition may run in families. It also may be seen in those who suffer from asthma or hay fever or in those who have family members who have these conditions.
The signs of atopic dermatitis may look different in infants, children and adults, and may affect various parts of your body from time to time. It is common to see a rash or patches of skin that look red, raised, or open and oozing with crusting sores on the skin.
Infants up to 6 months old tend to initially get patches on the face, cheeks, chin, forehead, and scalp. In babies 6 to 12 months old, patches frequently appear on the elbows and knees. You may notice them rubbing against bedding or carpeting to scratch the itch.
In toddlers 2 to 5 years old, patches may appear in the creases of the elbows and knees, or on the wrists, ankles, and hands. They can also appear on the skin around the mouth and eyelids.
Children 5 years and older may have patches in the folds of the knees or elbows. There may also be red, itchy patches behind the ears or on the feet. In some children, patches appear only on the hands. In some children, atopic dermatitis may seem to go away for a period of time, only to come back later in life when hormones, stress, or the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may cause the disease to flare again.
In adults, atopic dermatitis may look different from childhood atopic dermatitis. Rashes are often seen in the elbow and knee creases as well as the neck. The skin may be very dry, scaly, thick, and dark, and constantly itchy.
One of the most bothersome symptoms of atopic dermatitis is the itch. It can be mild, moderate, or in some cases more severe. Sometimes the itch may be so bad that a person may scratch his or her skin until it bleeds. This can make the rash even worse, even leading to an increased risk of infection. This continuous circle of inflammation and itching is known as the “itch-scratch cycle.”
Itching may affect sleep for both the person with atopic dermatitis and their family members. In adults, having atopic dermatitis may lead to feelings of anger and embarrassment, disrupt their work and home lives, and limit what they can eat and drink. Children with the condition may face bullying and isolation. In addition, their symptoms can interfere with their sleep, leading to problems with their mood and overall well-being.
In order to make a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, your doctor will look at your skin (or your child’s skin) and ask questions about your personal and family history. If you or a family member has atopic dermatitis, talk with a healthcare professional about a possible treatment plan. A variety of management approaches may be needed over time.
Getting the right diagnosis and discussing a management plan with a GP or dermatologist (a doctor specialising in skin conditions) is key to managing atopic dermatitis. Good skin care is also important to help manage atopic dermatitis. Here are some things you can do to take care of your skin to help manage the condition:
It’s also important to talk with your healthcare professional to help identify triggers for atopic dermatitis that may affect you. It can also be helpful to get support from others who are living with atopic dermatitis.
Dr. Mark Levenberg is a Board-certified Dermatologist and Medical Director in US Medical Affairs at Pfizer Inc.
Last reviewed: 15/08/2019
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