What is Eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition that causes dry, itchy skin. There are seven types of eczema. Learn all about eczema, what causes it, what it looks like and ways to manage it.

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Overview

What is eczema?

Eczema (eg-zuh-MUH) is the name for a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections. There are seven types of eczema that affect the skin. There is no cure for eczema but there are many treatments available to help you manage it. 

Many people with eczema use the phrase “flare” to describe a phase of eczema that can last many days or even several weeks when they are experiencing one or more exacerbated eczema symptoms or side effects from prolonged itchiness. Severe eczema can come with additional complications beyond itchy skin and rashes, such as infections that can lead to hospitalization if left untreated. 

Sometimes eczema is confused with other skin conditions like psoriasis, so it’s important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

What does eczema look like?

Eczema can vary in appearance depending on your skin tone. For light to medium skin tones, it may appear as pink or red rashes with bumps and crust. For medium to dark skin tones, it may look dark brown, gray or purple with dry, small bumps. Eczema can also change in appearance depending on how long you’ve had symptoms.

See images of eczema on various skin tones in the Eczema Visual Guide

Who gets eczema?

More than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema.1 Anyone at any age can experience eczema, from newborn babies and teens to older adults. Certain types of eczema are more common in certain age groups. Certain types of eczema are more common in individuals who have allergies or asthma. It can also run in families who have a history of these conditions.

Is eczema contagious?

Eczema is not contagious. You can’t “catch it” from someone else. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown and can vary from person to person, researchers do know that people develop eczema because of an interaction between genes and environmental triggers.

Is eczema an autoimmune disease?

No, eczema is not an autoimmune disease. However, the immune system does play a significant role in people with eczema. While overactive or dysregulated immune functions can contribute to eczema symptoms, like inflamed, itchy skin, but they aren’t attacking a specific target in the body the way they do in autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Types of eczema

What are the types of eczema?

There are seven different types of eczema. While each type is different, some share common causes, symptoms and treatments. Here is an overview of each type of eczema:

  • Atopic dermatitis — Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, which causes inflammation, dryness and itchy skin. The most common symptom is itch, which can lead to rashes, pain and poor sleep. Oftentimes, the phrase eczema is used as a synonym for atopic dermatitis.
  • Contact dermatitis — Contact dermatitis is brought on by an allergic reaction to an environmental trigger. Skin becomes inflamed and itchy after an irritant or allergen touches the skin.
  • Dyshidrotic eczema — Dyshidrotic eczema causes small, itchy blisters to develop on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms and soles of the feet. These blisters can be painful and often lead to cracked, scaly skin as they heal. Triggers include stress, exposure to certain allergens/irritants, seasonal allergies or excessive moisture on the hands and feet due to an improper immune response and improper sweating mechanisms occurring in people with dyshidrotic eczema.
  • Neurodermatitis — Neurodermatitis starts with a patch of itchy skin that becomes more irritated when scratched, leading to a cycle of itching and scratching. It often results in thick, leathery patches of skin and can be triggered by stress or localized irritation. Unlike atopic dermatitis, which can be widespread, neurodermitis is usually confined to one or two patches of skin.
  • Nummular eczema — Nummular eczema, also known as nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema, presents as round, coin-shaped patches of irritated skin that are often itchy, inflamed or oozing. These lesions are most commonly found on the arms, legs or torso and can become crusty or scaly over time. They appear more commonly in teens and adults. This condition is often linked to very dry skin, particularly during the winter, or following an injury such as a cut, insect bite or burn.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis — Also known as “cradle cap” in infants, seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic form of eczema that affects oily areas of the body, such as the scalp, face (around the nose and eyebrows) and/or upper chest. It causes red, greasy and inflamed skin covered with white or yellowish scales.
  • Stasis dermatitis — Stasis dermatitis occurs when there is poor circulation in the legs. The condition typically presents with swelling, redness and itching, with the skin becoming dry, scaly and discolored over time. In severe cases, open sores or ulcers may form, increasing the risk of infection.

It’s possible to experience more than one type of eczema at the same time or at different times on multiple parts of the body. For effective diagnosis and management, it’s crucial to know what type you are experiencing.

Learn more about the seven types of eczema

Symptoms and causes

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Eczema almost always includes itchy skin. For many people, the itch can range from mild to moderate. Sometimes the itch gets so bad that people scratch it until it bleeds. This is called the “itch-scratch cycle.”

Symptoms of eczema often include:

  • Itchy skin
  • Dry skin
  • Rash
  • Inflamed skin
  • Discolored skin
  • Rough, leathery skin
  • Scaly patches
  • Oozing or crusting skin
  • Swelling

You might have all of these symptoms of eczema or only just a few. The most important thing to remember is that eczema and its symptoms are different for everyone. Your eczema may not look the same on you as it does on another adult or on your child. Different types of eczema may even appear in different affected areas of the body at different times.

Tips to manage the itch of eczema

Don’t scratch” doesn’t work with eczema. Here, Dr. Jennifer LeBovidge, a psychologist at the Atopic Dermatitis Center and the Food Allergy Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty, talks about ways to manage the itch-scratch cycle of eczema. She offers helpful language and intervention strategies to tackle that frustrating itch.

What causes eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is unknown. In fact, each type of eczema can have different causes. Some of the most common causes are:

  • A family history of eczema
  • Being exposed to certain environmental triggers
  • Stress 
  • A combination of these triggers

In general with eczema, when an irritant or an allergen from outside or inside the body “switches on” the immune system, it produces inflammation. It is this inflammation that causes the symptoms common to most types of eczema. It can affect anywhere on the body from the head to lower legs, hands and feet. In particular, creases of the skin, especially the flexural areas behind the knees, elbows, lower legs and other areas of skin that rub against each other can lead to irritation, increased sweat and other possible contributing factors.

Some types of eczema, such as atopic dermatitis, may be caused by various factors including:

  • A weakened skin barrier (or the outer protective layer of the skin)
  • An overactive immune system that leads to inflammation
  • Environmental triggers
  • Genetics

What are eczema triggers?

Healthcare providers, including dermatologists, and people with eczema will refer to something that causes or aggravates their eczema as a “trigger.” Eczema triggers will often be different for each individual with rarely just one trigger being responsible for every flare. It’s helpful to identify what is triggering your flare so you can avoid them as much as possible.

When trying to identify potential triggers, keep in mind that an eczema flare can appear some time after exposure to a topical irritant or allergen. This lag time can make some triggers challenging to detect.

Common triggers include:

  • Fabrics: Wool, latex, synthetic fabrics
  • Metals: Chromium, cobalt chloride, copper, gold, nickel
  • Pets and insects: Pet dander, cockroaches, insect bites and stings
  • Environment: Pollen, dust mites, mold, cigarette smoke
  • Weather: Changing temperatures and seasons, humidity, extreme heat or cold
  • Fragrance: Perfumes, other scented products
  • Stress: Life stressors, new challenges, anxiety

Diagnosis

How is eczema diagnosed?

You can’t determine the type of eczema that you have on your own. Since the types have overlapping symptoms and triggers, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider who specializes in dermatology and treating eczema. Eczema is often diagnosed by a primary care provider or specialists including dermatologists and allergists.

To diagnose eczema, your healthcare provider will typically ask for your medical history and current symptoms, and visually assess your skin. They may also do patch tests or blood work to get more information. The healthcare provider can create a customized treatment plan for you and discuss ways to prevent flares.

Find a doctor near you who specializes in eczema

How to stick to your eczema treatment routine

Dr. Harper Price, a pediatric dermatologist at Phoenix Children’s, provides actionable tips to help people with eczema and their caregivers stick to their eczema care routines.

Management and treatment

Is there a cure for eczema?

There is no cure for eczema yet, but many researchers are working on finding one. In the meantime, there are many types of treatments available, including over-the-counter products you can find at the store and prescription treatments you can get through your healthcare provider.

Learn more about the latest eczema research

How do you treat eczema?

There are many over-the-counter and prescription treatments available for eczema. Since eczema symptoms can be different for everyone, not everyone will respond to the same treatments in the same way. In general, healthcare providers typically recommend the following to help control eczema flares:

  • Set and stick to a regular bathing and moisturizing routine 
  • Use over-the-counter and prescription medications as prescribed 
  • Know your triggers and avoid them as best as you can

What are common medications for eczema?

Whether you have mild or severe eczema, basic eczema care includes:

  • Bathing with a gentle cleanser 
  • Frequent moisturizing to lock moisture into the skin to help repair the skin barrier

In addition to these basics, there are various treatment options available, including:

  • Over-the-counter medicines like hydrocortisone
  • Topical prescription medications that are applied to the skin 
  • Biologic prescription medicines, which are given by injection 
  • Oral prescription medications, which are taken by mouth in the form of a pill 
  • Phototherapy, which is prescribed, and a form of ultraviolet light treatment
  • Complementary and alternative therapies like traditional Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture and herbal supplements.

It’s important to discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider to assess what works best for you. You may need to use more than one treatment option to best control your eczema symptoms.

Learn more about available treatments for eczema

Are there any alternative and complementary medicines for eczema?

Yes, there are many alternative and complementary treatments available for eczema, including over-the-counter and prescribed therapies like traditional Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, herbal supplements and more.

How do you prevent eczema flares?

Healthcare providers and people with eczema often refer to something that aggravates their eczema as a “trigger.” By knowing what bothers your skin, you can help prevent symptom flares. Some common eczema triggers include:

  • Scratchy clothing 
  • Sweat 
  • Humidity 
  • Changing temperatures 
  • Harsh skincare routines 
  • Products with fragrances 
  • Stress

How does food impact eczema?

To better understand the relationship between eczema and diet, it is helpful to know the difference between food allergies vs. food sensitivities or intolerances.

A food sensitivity, or food intolerance, occurs when a person has trouble digesting certain foods. This can lead to gas, bloating, abdominal pain or diarrhea, for instance. Lactose intolerance is an example of food sensitivity. A food allergy, on the other hand, provokes an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs in the body and can cause a range of symptoms, some of which are life-threatening.

However, that line between food allergies and food sensitivities tends to blur a little bit for people with certain types of eczema. Eating certain foods, such as gluten and dairy, may not lead to anaphylaxis or organ failure, but certain foods can trigger an immune system reaction. This immune reaction can then trigger an eczema flare. This is not the case for everyone with eczema. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor and monitor your symptoms to see if avoiding certain foods will affect your eczema or not.

Learn more about diet and nutrition for eczema

How does stress affect eczema?

Stress is a known trigger for eczema flares.2 When under stress, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that can contribute directly to skin barrier dysfunction, dysregulated inflammation and an increased risk for infections. This can lead to worsened symptoms and eczema flares.

Get the EczemaWise App

EczemaWise, the app created by the National Eczema Association, is a tool designed to help you capture photos, track symptoms and identify eczema triggers all in one place.

Get the app

What ingredients should you avoid in skincare and household products if you have eczema?

Many common household products, like shampoo or laundry detergent, contain known irritants and allergens for people with eczema and sensitive skin.

The National Eczema Association (NEA) has identified 18 ingredients in its Ecz-clusion list that are known irritants and allergens that cannot be included in a product that applies for the Seal of Acceptance.™ 

For a product to obtain the Seal, it cannot contain any of the following ingredients in any amount:

  • Bacitracin
  • Benzocaine
  • Citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel powder
  • Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil
  • Citrus extract
  • Citrus limon (lemon) peel powder
  • Formaldehyde
  • Lidocaine
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone
  • Methyl dibromo glutaronitrile
  • Methylisothiazolinone
  • Myroxylon balsamum / (Balsam of Talu)
  • Myroxylon pereirae resin / (Balsam of Peru)
  • Neomycin sulfate
  • Polymyxin B sulfate
  • Propolis
  • Shellac
  • Triclosan

In addition, products must not include:

  • Fragrance
  • Chemical UV absorbers (only physical sunscreen products containing titanium, zinc and iron will be considered)
  • Formaldehyde releasers

The Seal was created as a way to help people find eczema-friendly products. The Seal is a branded label displayed on personal care and household products that have been vetted by NEA and a panel of dermatologists. NEA awards the Seal to products that meet criteria based on sensitivity, toxicity and formulation testing data.

Browse eczema-friendly products

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References:

  1. Hanifin JM, Reed ML; Eczema Prevalence and Impact Working Group. A population-based survey of eczema prevalence in the United States. Dermatitis. 2007;18(2):82-91. doi:10.2310/6620.2007.06034
  2. Lönndahl L, Abdelhadi S, Holst M, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K, Johansson B. Psychological Stress and Atopic Dermatitis: A Focus Group Study. Ann Dermatol. 2023;35(5):342-347. doi:10.5021/ad.22.035 

Medically reviewed on January 27, 2025

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