Eczema is an inflammation of the skin often linked with allergies. Doctors often use the terms eczema and atopic dermatitis interchangeably because most cases of eczema are caused by atopic dermatitis. It is a non-contagious skin disorder which causes itchy, scaly, skin which lowers a child’s quality of life because they constantly want to scratch.
It usually affects babies and very young children, but it can also last into adolescence and adulthood. Let’s explore eczema in adults vs children, along with differences in treatment and care.
Eczema in Children: What to Know
Eczema is the most common chronic skin disorder in children occurring in 10 to 20% of children. It can last until adolescence or adulthood. It causes the skin to itch, scale, and flake, and can lead to permanent scars if the child scratches too much without relief. It is not curable.
Risks and Triggers
Children are more likely to develop eczema if one or both parents have the condition.
The primary triggers include the following list below. These triggers aggravate the symptoms, but don’t cause them.
- Dry skin
- Irritants
- Stress
- Allergies
- Infections
- Sweating
In children, eczema affects the face, trunk, and extremities, whereas in teens and adults it affects creases in arms and the back of legs.
Parents can control the disease with proper treatment and medications from a dermatologist like Dr. Goodless in Orlando, FL.
Eczema in Adults: What to Know
When an adult develops eczema after age 18, dermatologists refer to it as adult-onset atopic dermatitis, or AD.
Sometimes an adult with AD had eczema as a child, and it comes back later when they are an adult. Fortunately, it is usually milder.
Some similarities between adult and children with eczema include the following:
- Is intensely itchy
- Causes loss of sleep
- Can appear anywhere on the skin
- Makes you feel depressed or anxious
- Increases the risk of developing asthma, hay fever, and other allergies
- Will decrease your quality of life if left untreated
However, there are differences. In an adult, your skin is extremely dry and scaly. Adults also have a tendency to get AD around the eyes unlike children, and it is very itchy.
The Right Treatment Is Essential
The first thing to do for both a child and if you are an adult is to find a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Dean Goodless and get a treatment plan.
Basic At-Home Care Tips for Eczema
Some basic care tips for eczema that work for both children and adults include:
- Keeping your skin healthy can help to prevent dryness and itching.
- Bathe only in warm water. Hot water will dry out the skin. Use a gentle cleanser instead of soap. Don’t use a body scrubber or a washcloth. Pat dry with a clean soft towel. Leave skin damp.
- Apply a fragrance free moisturizer immediately after bathing or washing hands. Use a thicker ointment or cream at night. Wear cotton gloves or socks to bed to lock in moisture and prevent scratching.
- Limit any contact with household cleaners, laundry detergents, soaps with perfumes, and other things that can make eczema worse.
- Wear cotton clothes. Wool and synthetics can be irritating. Wash new clothes before wearing them for the first time. Use fragrance free laundry soap.
- Avoid getting overheated. After a workout, rinse off immediately in a warm shower.
- Learn your triggers.
You must deal with eczema for the “long haul” so it’s best to know how to care for your skin on a daily basis and relieve the incessant itching. Dr. Dean Goodless can prescribe some medications to control itching as well as other treatments to soothe the skin.
Eczema Care in Orlando, FL
Contact Goodless Dermatology at (407) 566-1616 if you or your child has all the signs of eczema and you need both a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Sources: What Does Eczema Look Like? Eczema Pictures (prevention.com)
Eczema Can Affect Us All, but Some More Than Others (webmd.com)
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) | Boston Children’s Hospital (childrenshospital.org)
Eczema: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment (webmd.com)