Symptoms of atopic eczema

Atopic eczema is most prevalent in children, with 14 per cent of those under 12 years of age suffering from it. Although some adults continue to suffer with atopic eczema, 90 per cent of affected children who suffer from asthma and hay fever seem to be more prone to this type of eczema.

Symptoms of atopic eczema Atopic eczema presents in a number of different ways. Chronic eczema presents as dry, scaling skin, often with exaggerated skin markings known as lichenification. Acute eczema is inflamed, red, often weeping, and sometimes has vesicles or blisters.

In infancy eczema often appears initially on the face, but other common locations in later childhood are the flexures of the elbows and the knees, and on the wrists and ankles. In adults, eczema is often seen on the hands. In the older patient venous stasis causes eczema on the lower legs, often accompanied by ulceration.

 The degree to which people suffer with the following will vary, but most people with atopic eczema will report:

1. Irritation. This is a major problem for everyone with eczema. Scratching is a common response and is often subconscious, and the results of scratching include: a. Worsening itch (itch-scratch cycle) b. Smooth shiny nail from rubbing and scratching c. Shortened, stubby body hairs that have broken due to constant scratching d. Infection as the scratching causes breaks in the skin.

2. Soreness. As a result of the above the skin becomes sore; some people would rather have sore than itchy skin, and therefore scratch until their skin becomes painful. Acute eczema is often sore without having been scratched.

3. Stress. The appearance of eczema can be very embarrassing, particularly if it is weeping. It is not uncommon for eczema to be so irritating that it disrupts sleep patterns. In families where children have eczema it can put enormous strain on family relationship as members struggle to cope with treatments and sleepless nights.