Eczema (sometimes called atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition characterized by an itchy inflammation of the skin. It commonly affects infants and children but may also first appear in adulthood. Eczema often flares up periodically and then subsides for some time. The signs of eczema can be particularly bothersome and may affect the pigmentation and texture of the skin and cause intense itching and blistering.
Inflamed Skin Patches
Eczema is characterized by the development of patches of itchy, inflamed skin that may form anywhere on the body. In adults, the patches are particularly common on the hands and feet, at the bend of the elbows and knees, on the face or neck, upper chest, or on the ankles or wrists. In babies, patches often first show up on the face or scalp before spreading to other areas. According to Acupuncture Today, factors like teething and recent immunizations may worsen the development of these skin patches in young children, while emotional stress, bacterial infections, chemical irritants (soaps, detergents), airborne allergens (dust) and dietary factors can affect the severity of eczema in children and adults.
Itching
Itching can be an extremely bothersome symptom of eczema. The Royal Children's Hospital of Melbourne advises that heat and dryness make itching worse. Itching can be worse at night and interfere with sleep as the patches of inflamed skin may be aggravated by the heat caused by sleeping under the covers.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, itching occurs because excess moisture is lost through the upper layer of the skin. This causes the skin to dry out, which increases itchiness. The more the dry skin is scratched, the more irritated and itchy the skin becomes. This process leaves the skin unprotected, making it susceptible to bacteria and viruses that can penetrate the skin and aggravate the eczema.
Blisters
Eczema may be accompanied by the formation of small raised bumps or blisters that are filled with fluid. The area around the blisters may be red and irritated. These blisters can weep or leak fluid, particularly when scratched. After the blisters are opened, they crust over, leaving the skin feeling dry, itchy and scaly.
Changes to Skin Texture and Pigment
Eczema can cause the skin's texture and coloring to change in the affected areas. According to the Mayo Clinic, eczema skin patches may turn reddish or brownish-gray in color. Scratching of the itchy patches can cause the skin to become raw, dry or flaky, which can lead to bleeding and redness. Excessive scratching or continuous rubbing and irritation can cause the skin to become thickened, hardened, cracked, scaly or leathery and have less pigment than the normal surrounding skin. This type of skin texture change is called lichenification.
According to Acupuncture Today, adults may have more widespread lichenification, erythema (redness) and scaling of the skin than children and infants.
