Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy.
It’s common in children but can occur at any age.
Atopic dermatitis is long-lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically.
It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.
No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis.
But treatments and self-care measures can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks.
For some people, it flares periodically and then clears up for a time, even for several years.
Healthy skin helps retain moisture and protects you from bacteria, irritants, and allergens.
Eczema is related to a gene variation that affects the skin’s ability to provide this protection.
This allows your skin to be affected by environmental factors, irritants, and allergens.
In some children, food allergies may play a role in causing eczema.
Your doctor will likely make a diagnosis by examining your skin and reviewing your medical history.
Atopic dermatitis can be persistent.
You may need to try various treatments over months or years to control it.
And even if treatment is successful, signs and symptoms may return (flare).
It’s important to recognize the condition early so that you might start treatment.
Apply it as directed, after you moisturize.
Overuse of this drug may cause side effects, including thinning skin.
They are used by people older than age 2 to help control the skin reaction.
Apply it as directed, after you moisturize.
Avoid strong sunlight when using these products.
These drugs have a black box warning about a potential risk of cancer.
He or she may recommend taking oral antibiotics for a short time to treat an infection.
Oral drugs that control inflammation.For more-severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroidssuch as prednisone.
These drugs are effective but can’t be used long term because of potential serious side effects.
It is used to treat people with severe disease who do not respond well to other treatment options.
Studies have shown it to be safe if used as directed.
It is very expensive.
Or, ask your doctor about learning how to do this technique at home.
The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight.
For these reasons, phototherapy is less commonly used in young children and not given to infants.
Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of light therapy.
Counseling.Talking with a therapist or other counselor may help people who are embarrassed or frustrated by their skin condition.
Relaxation, behavior modification, and biofeedback.These approaches may help people who scratch habitually.
Your baby may need a prescription medication to control the rash or to treat an infection.
You’re likely to start by seeing your family or primary care doctor.
Here’s some information to help you prepare for your appointment.
It can disrupt their sleep and even lead to depression.
And close family members of people with this condition may face financial, social, and emotional problems.
Seek psychological support from counselors, support groups, friends, or family.
Choose a product or products that work well for you.
Using petroleum jelly on your baby’s skin may help prevent development of atopic dermatitis.
Reduce your exposure to your triggers.
Talk with your child’s doctor about identifying potential food allergies.
Take shorter baths or showers.Limit your baths and showers to 10 to 15 minutes.
And use warm, rather than hot, water.
Take a bleach bath.The American Academy of Dermatology recommends considering a bleach bath to help prevent flares.
A diluted-bleach bath decreases bacteria on the skin and related infections.
Measures are for a U.S.-standard-sized tub filled to the overflow drainage holes.
Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas of skin for about 10 minutes.
Do not submerge the head.
Take a bleach bath no more than twice a week.
Use only gentle soaps.Choose mild soaps.
Deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps can remove more natural oils and dry your skin.
Updated: 2017-07-25
Publication Date: 2007-08-22
