Eczema
Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis, AD) is a chronic and itchy skin condition. It commonly appears in families with other atopic diseases, such as asthma and seasonal allergies. AD affects up to 20% of children and 2-8% of adults worldwide. Typically, AD starts in childhood but can continue into adulthood, with about one in three adult cases beginning in adulthood. Childhood AD may be the first indicator for the development of other atopic conditions such as seasonal allergies, asthma, and food allergies.
Signs & Symptoms
Itch is the most common symptom of AD. Patients also have dry, scaly skin and may have associated conditions like keratosis pilaris, hyperlinear palms, pityriasis alba, nummular eczema, hand eczema, and recurrent skin infections.
Treatment
Gentle skin care, moisturizing creams, bleach baths, topical steroids, other topical anti-inflammatory medicines, and biologic therapies are used to treat AD.
Reference: Wollenberg et al. Consensus-based European guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis)…J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2018. PMID: 29676534