Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
What it is: Atopic eczema is the most widely recognised forms of eczema. It can start at any age but mainly affects children. It often runs in the family and is linked to other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever.
Symptoms: The main symptom is itching, which becomes unbearable, causing the person to scratch. This can then cause problems with sleeping, irritability and tiredness. It appears where the skin bends, such as inside the elbows, behind the knees and the front of the neck. If the skin is scratched, the rash can leak fluid and crust over. Atopic eczema will go through phases of being severe and then less severe and will then get worse again.
Causes: The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown but is thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to an irritant. While there are a lot of external factors causing eczema, for most people it will be down to genetics and if there is a family history of eczema, it’s likely to be passed down.