Eczema (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: Ethan Leeman, Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, DMD, MD[1]

• Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is manifested as a skin swelling, flakiness, dryness of the skin, and itchy sensation.
• Several factors are linked with this disease such as genetic mutation, and family history.
• Eczema cannot be cured, but it is not contagious.
• This is usually associated with allergy.

• Eczema can present as:
  • severe itchiness
  • Skin color changes
  • Flakiness of the skin
  • Small bumps
• Infants and children – lesions are found on the neck, head, cheeks, scalp, front of the arms and legs.
• Adolescents and adults – lesions are distributed mainly on elbow creases, lateral portion of the neck, and back of the knees. ^[1]

• Eczema can be treated with:
  • Moisturizers
  • Steroids
  • Antihistamines
  • Light therapy

• Several diseases can present similarly with eczema.
• These include some inflammatory diseases, cancer, and nutritional deficiency.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Eczema

• Having a proper skin care using moisturizers most especially during cold or dry seasons.
• To avoid worsening of an ongoing eczema, avoid stress, sudden changes in temperature, wool or other synthetic fabrics.

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