WHAT IS ECZEMA?

Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is an itchy skin condition that is very common in babies and children. In fact, as many as 15-20% of children under the age of 7 have eczema; a figure that has skyrocketed over the past 30 years. In 50% of cases, atopic dermatitis resolves by the age of 5, but it may persist into adolescence and adulthood.*

*Source: CHU Nantes, unity of cancérology & dermatology, spécialisation atopic dermatitis, april 2015

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OUR ANSWERS

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    What does eczema look like?

    In babies, eczema causes rough, flaky red patches particularly on the cheeks and chin. In older children and adults the eczema patches become located mainly on the neck and in the skin folds around the elbows, wrists and behind the knees. Eczema patches can have scratch marks and may bleed. Blisters can also form and ooze. Over time, the skin can become thickened and leathery.


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TRUE
OR FALSE
SCRATCHING ECZEMA
STOPS IT FROM ITCHING.
FALSE
Scratching triggers the vicious circle of atopy: fingernails damage the already fragile skin, allowing more allergens and irritant agents to penetrate, leading to even more scratching and more damaged skin. LIPIKAR Baume AP+ replenishes skins’ surface lipids, helping to space out flare-ups and reducing night-time scratching by half.
Learn More
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
DISAPPEARS OVER TIME.
TRUE
Depending on the child, atopic dermatitis can last between a few months or years. Half of children with atopic eczema as babies are cured by the age of five. In some cases, atopic eczema persists into adulthood, but this is impossible to predict. There is no definitive cure for eczema, but it can be managed with the right treatment.
Learn More
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
CAN BE CONTAGIOUS.
FALSE
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a genetic disease and is in no way contagious. The treatment for atopic dermatitis symptoms is based on soap substitutes, emollients and topical corticosteroids.
Learn More
CAN DIET
AGGRAVATE ECZEMA?
TRUE
Certain foods can act as eczema triggers and cause flare-ups. If you think food may be an aggravating factor for eczema in you or your child, see a doctor as they can run blood tests and skin prick tests to see if you are allergic to different foods (the usual suspects are peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, fish and egg).
Learn More
SCRATCHING ECZEMA
STOPS IT FROM ITCHING.
FALSE
Scratching triggers the vicious circle of atopy: fingernails damage the already fragile skin, allowing more allergens and irritant agents to penetrate, leading to even more scratching and more damaged skin. LIPIKAR Baume AP+ replenishes skins’ surface lipids, helping to space out flare-ups and reducing night-time scratching by half.
Learn More
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
DISAPPEARS OVER TIME.
TRUE
Depending on the child, atopic dermatitis can last between a few months or years. Half of children with atopic eczema as babies are cured by the age of five. In some cases, atopic eczema persists into adulthood, but this is impossible to predict. There is no definitive cure for eczema, but it can be managed with the right treatment.
Learn More
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
CAN BE CONTAGIOUS.
FALSE
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a genetic disease and is in no way contagious. The treatment for atopic dermatitis symptoms is based on soap substitutes, emollients and topical corticosteroids.
Learn More
CAN DIET
AGGRAVATE ECZEMA?
TRUE
Certain foods can act as eczema triggers and cause flare-ups. If you think food may be an aggravating factor for eczema in you or your child, see a doctor as they can run blood tests and skin prick tests to see if you are allergic to different foods (the usual suspects are peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, fish and egg).
Learn More

WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA TO FLARE UP?

Atopic dermatitis and eczema are skin conditions that occur when the skin doesn’t secret sufficient surface lipids – or the skin’s natural moisturizers – so it becomes “constitutionally” dry and defective. As a result, some allergens and irritants - think harsh laundry detergents or house dust mite - may penetrate the skin, where they cause itching and inflammation. 

Eczema flare ups can not only feel itchy, but often appears as angry looking red patches of skin. It commonly occurs on the face of babies, on the scalp of the babies, and in the skin folds around the elbows, wrists and knees in older children.

ECZEMA VS DERMATITIS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

If you are atopic, this means you have a genetic predisposition to developing allergies. Eczema often goes hand in hand with other “atopic” or “allergic” conditions like hay fever and asthma, as well as food allergies. Like eczema, the prevalence of atopy is rising sharply. In 1960, atopy affected 5-10% of the population whereas today that figure is more like 10-20%.

ECZEMA SYMPTOMS TREATMENT 

Eczema flare ups on the face, including eyelids , hands, scalp and body therefore have complex causes and represent much more than just a skin condition. Treatments that relieve chronic symptoms from eczema as itching (or “pruritus”) can help children concentrate at school when they’re repeatedly distracted by needing to scratch. Similarly at night, eczema symptoms treatments can make for better sleep and lessen anxiety for both parents and children. 

Luckily, expert help is at hand in the pharmacy. Swipe to learn all about the top eczema symptoms treatments (and lifestyle hacks) like Lipikar Eczema Med, a medical device that can rapidly relieve the irritation, inflammation, itchiness and redness  during flare-ups. 

In the subsections below, you’ll also find information about what causes atopic eczema prone skin and how to prevent it, as well as a dedicated section on atopic eczema in babies and children explaining how to stay on top of atopy at school, during sport and at bedtime too.

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WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA?

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    The information displayed here is intended for general educational purposes only and should not in any case be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any medical question.