Atopic eczema can cause areas of skin to become dry, itchy, sore, reddened and cracked. There are periods in which the symptoms improve and then followed by periods of flare-ups. The flare-ups can manifest as often as 2-3 times in a month.
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This form of eczema can manifest all over the body, but it is quite common on the hands especially the fingers, interior of the elbows, back part of the knee, scalp and face. Among adults, the face is typically affected.
The severity of atopic eczema can vary from one individual to another. Those who have mild eczema might only have small regions of dry skin that are occasionally itchy. In severe cases, atopic eczema can trigger widespread inflamed, reddened skin all over the body with constant itchiness.
Further damage by scratching
Scratching can disrupt regular sleep at night, make the skin prone to bleeding and trigger secondary infections. This can also aggravate the itchiness which results to a cycle of itchy sensation and regular scratching can develop.
Take note that this can result to disrupted sleep at night and difficulty in concentrating at work or school during day time.
What are the other effects?
The areas of skin affected by eczema can also turn darker or lighter in appearance temporarily after the condition improves. This is quite noticeable among individuals who have darker skin. Take note that this is not an outcome of scarring or side effect of steroid creams, but more of a footprint of previous inflammation and eventually return to its normal color.
Indications of infection
In some circumstances, the areas of skin affected by atopic eczema can become infected. The following are the indication of infection:
- Drainage of fluid from the skin
- Eczema becomes worse
- Yellow crust on the skin surface or small-sized yellowish-white spots
- Fever and general feeling of unwell
- Skin becomes sore and swollen
A doctor should be consulted as soon as possible if the skin might become infected.
Potential causes of atopic eczema
Always bear in mind that atopic eczema can be triggered by various factors. Individuals who have atopic eczema often have very dry skin since the skin could not hold much moisture. The dryness will make the skin likely to react to certain triggers, thus turning itchy and red.
An individual might be born with a high risk for developing this form of eczema due to the genes inherited from the parents. Remember that atopic eczema is not considered infectious, thus it cannot spread via close contact.
Triggers for eczema
There are various factors that can instigate the symptoms but this varies from one individual to another.
- Environmental factors such as pollen, mold, animal fur, cold and dry weather, dust mites and dampness
- Irritants such as detergents, soaps, shampoos and bubble baths
- Food allergies such as peanuts, cow’s milk, wheat or soy
- Skin infections
- Clothing materials such as synthetic fibers and wool
- Hormonal changes particularly among women before menstruation or during pregnancy
In some individuals, the symptoms seem to get worse once the air is dusty or dry or when they are sweating, stressed out or exposed to too much cold or heat.