Atopic Eczema

What is atopic eczema?

The word eczema comes from the ancient Greek meaning to "boil over". It is used to describe skin, which is inflamed, red and intensely itchy. The term eczema and dermatitis are interchangeable. Childhood eczema is a common condition that affects around one in every eight babies. Some babies grow out of it whilst in others there is a progression on to atopic eczema.

Atopic eczema is part of the trilogy of allergic conditions. They include asthma and hayfever as well as eczema, all of which have a similar underlying genetic cause (it's quite common for children with eczema to suffer from one or both of these other conditions too).

There may also be an allergic reaction to certain factors in the child's environment that makes the symptoms worse.

Although it does tend to run in certain families, it is not possible to predict whether or not a child will develop atopic eczema. It may appear in one child but not in others within the same family. (If you already have one child who has eczema, there is a one in four chance of your next child having it, though if both parents are affected the risk is greater). And it can suddenly appear in a family in which there is no known history of eczema, asthma or hay fever.

At what age does atopic eczema occur?

It generally first appears between the age of 6 months and 2 years.

Half of those children who suffer from eczema when they are babies will grow out of it by the time they are just six years old, and most children will grow out of it by the time they reach their teens. However, it does sometimes reappear later in life, especially at times of stress.

What are the symptoms?

The skin becomes irritated and inflamed, and feels very itchy. Scratching is an instinctive reaction, but this unfortunately only aggravates the condition, leading to the skin becoming broken and raw, and even in severe cases to infection.

Most commonly, eczema occurs on the inner creases of the elbows and knees in children, and on the face and neck in babies. If it recurs in adulthood, it is most likely to appear on the hands.

Click here for a copy of 'Coping with Eczema' - a booklet for parents written by one of the UK's leading paediatric dermatologists. The booklet sets out to answer the common questions asked by the parents of children with atopic eczema and was updated for the 3rd edition in Summer 2000. Kids' Corner - for young eczema sufferers