Spotted: Eczema

It may not be a serious skin condition, but you can have it your entire life.

You may not have had it as a child, but you can get it later in life.

Or you may have had it as a child, but the symptoms could wane as you get older.

What is it?

Eczema is a general term for skin conditions that are rash-like. Among the many types of eczema, the most common type is atopic dermatitis.

Typically, anywhere from 10-20% of infants in the United States develop eczema, while 3% of children and adults eventually find themselves affected by it.

How can you spot if you, someone you know, or even your own child might have it?

 

DIvider

There are a few similarities and a few differences between childhood eczema and adult-onset eczema. Let’s take a closer look.

SYMPTOMS
(common to all)		 INFANTS TO TODDLERS CHILDREN TO EARLY TEENS LATE TEENS TO ADULTS

Skin that is:

  • dry
  • red
  • itchy
  • flaky
  • leathery
  • crusty
  • scaly
  • thickened

Targeted areas:

  • face
  • chest
  • back of the head

Targeted areas:

  • elbows
  • knees
  • wrists
  • hands
  • behind the ears
  • around the eyes
  • around the mouth

Targeted areas:

  • elbows
  • hands
  • scalp
  • around the eyes
  • eyelids
  • nipples

While the symptoms may seem similar from age to age, they could vary in severity depending on the person, and could vary in terms of targeted area depending on the age.

When some babies and younger children feel discomfort because of the itching and oozing of the skin, they have trouble falling or staying asleep.

As children grow older and become more physically active, the areas that could manifest eczema may have something to do with their clothing and sweat.

And interestingly, even if you may have had the condition as a child, it could look and feel quite different as an adult. For one thing, the skin becomes more dry and scaly, which can turn into dark or leathery patches.

However, regardless of when a person develops eczema, this condition can be managed in a number of ways. Our article on Making a Lifestyle Change might give you some ideas.

One thing you can do, though — among the tips listed in that article — is to introduce a skincare routine. Mometasone furoate (Elica®) products can help stop itching, reduce redness, ease swelling, and provide relief within 24 hours. Mometasone furoate (Elica®) cream is applied on thin skin (e.g. your face) and moist lesions, while Mometasone furoate (Elica®) ointment is applied on dry lesions and thickened skin.

Now that you know how to spot eczema, it’s time to get the condition managed. With just a few tweaks to your lifestyle, you can enjoy whatever life has in store for you!

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

REFERENCES:

  1. Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis, in: https://familydoctor.org/condition/eczema-and-atopic-dermatitis
  2. Eczema, in: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/atopic-dermatitis-eczema
  3. Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), in: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273
  4. How Age Affects Eczema, in: https://www.verywellhealth.com/most-common-location-for-eczema-82720
  5. Ibid.
  6. Ibid.
  7. Advice From a Pediatrician to Help Your Child With Eczema Get Good Sleep, in: https://nationaleczema.org/helping-your-child-with-eczema-sleep
  8. How Can I Find Eczema Triggers on My Child’s Body?, in: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/childhood/triggers/body
  9. Can You Get Eczema as an Adult?, in: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/adult/can-get
  10. Our Products, in: https://www.elica.com.ph/about-elica/our-products
DIvider

Latest Articles

If symptoms persists, consult your doctor.

ASC Reference No.: B020P121521ES