Atopic Eczema

Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is one of the most common forms of eczema in adults and is the most common type of eczema in children, often developing before their first birthday. Occasionally it may also develop for the first time in adults. It often runs in the family and is linked to other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. 

Symptoms of atopic eczema

Atopic eczema causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore. Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body. Inflamed skin can look red on white skin, and darker brown, purple, or grey on brown and black skin. This means it may also be more difficult to see on brown and black skin. Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands in adults, and the inside of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children. It may also affect the outside of elbows and front of knees in children with brown and black skin. People with atopic eczema usually have periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe (flare-ups).

Causes

The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown, but it's clear it is not down to one single thing. Atopic eczema often occurs in people who get allergies. "Atopic" means sensitivity to allergens. It can run in families, and often develops alongside other conditions, such as hay fever and asthma. The symptoms of atopic eczema often have certain triggers, such as soaps, detergents, stress, and the weather.  Sometimes allergies to food substances can play a part, especially in young children with severe eczema. Customers / patients may be asked to keep a food diary to try to determine whether a specific food makes their symptoms worse. Allergy tests are not usually needed, although they're sometimes helpful in identifying whether a food allergy may be triggering symptoms.

The common triggers for atopic eczema include:

• House dust mites.
• Food.
• Pollen.
• Stress.
• Cold weather.

The main treatment for eczema is the use of emollients first line and topical corticosteroids in more severe cases.

There are various customers can manage the symptoms of their eczema including:

• Self-care techniques, such as reducing scratching and avoiding triggers.
• Emollients (moisturising treatments) – used daily for dry skin.
• Topical corticosteroids – used to reduce swelling, redness and itching during flare-ups.

Some of the questions that customers should be asked include:

• Whether the rash is itchy and where it appears.
• When the symptoms first began.
• Whether it comes and goes over time.
• Whether there's a history of atopic eczema in your family.
• Whether they have any other conditions, such as asthma or other allergies e.g., hay fever.
• Whether something in their diet or lifestyle which may be contributing to their symptoms.

Top tips to advise your customers who have atopic eczema:

• Apply emollients routinely every day, not just when you have the symptoms, as you will be less likely to experience flare ups.
• Reduce scratching where possible to stop any infection entering the area.
• Watch out for things that are likely to trigger flare ups which are linked to foods.

Further detailed information on eczema can be found on Allergy UK Atopic Eczema.