Eczema is a common type of itchy red rash that is also sometimes referred to as Dermatitis (although this is a general term).
Most children with eczema have what is known as atopic eczema.
Where there’s a strong family history of atopic or allergic disorders, such as asthma, eczema, hay fever or food allergies, and no other obvious cause for the rash.

What causes Eczema?

The underlying cause for atopic eczema is not known but there appears to be an increased reactivity of the immune system, and affected children often have other allergic conditions.

Triggers or precipitants, which make symptoms worse include dietary factors such as cow’s milk.

Stress and contact with chemicals such as perfume, lanolin and detergents are also common triggers of atopic eczema.

Breastfeeding can delay the onset of atopic eczema.

Exogenous eczema is caused by direct contact with irritant chemicals, while in seborrhoeic eczema, which includes cradle cap, there’s increased activity of the sebaceous glands in the skin.

As many as one in four children develop atopic eczema. It usually begins in the first year of life but rarely before two months.

Children who come from families with atopic illnesses are at greater risk – with as many as 50% of children with atopic eczema also suffering from asthma or hay fever. Most children grow out of eczema by their teenage years.

What are the symptoms?

The rash of eczema is itchy, red and symmetrical across the body.

It may become dry, scaly and cracked, oozing yellowish fluid and forming crusts, especially if the child has been scratching the areas affected.

The rash may develop anywhere on the body but in younger children the face, cheeks, scalp, forearms and front of the legs are most commonly affected.

In older children, the rash is usually more localized to flexures (the inside surfaces where joints bend the skin, especially at the wrists, elbows, knees and ankles).

Atopic eczema can be diagnosed by an experienced doctor, who may also be able to help pinpoint triggers.

The main aim of treatment is to keep the skin moist and supple and to avoid cracks and fissures that can lead to complications like infection of the areas affected.

Emollients are oily treatments in creams or added to bath water, which help to keep the skin soft.

Steroid creams may be used to calm down inflammation and reduce itchiness although care must be taken with long term use of such treatments.

Other medications, for example antihistamines, are sometimes used.

Measures to reduce irritation such as cool baths, cotton clothing and mittens to cut down on scratching in much younger children, can reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infections.

Eczematous skin is particularly vulnerable to bacterial infection, which can then aggravate the eczema or cause serious illness – it needs swift treatment with antibiotics and it is therefore important to see your doctor if the eczema gets worse.

For further information on eczema contact:

The National Eczema Society
Hill House
Highgate Hill
London N19 5NA

Telephone : 0207 281 3553
Helpline : 0870 241 3604
www.eczema.org