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Atopowe Zapalenie Skóry (AZS) a Egzema - Różnice, Podobieństwa i Sposoby Leczenia
Treatment of Eczema in Adults
There is currently no cure for eczema. However, there are plenty of treatments that can help manage eczema's symptoms such as:
- Keeping skin well-moisturized
- Not using hot water when bathing or washing hands
- Avoiding known triggers
- Taking a diluted bleach bath
- Limiting sun exposure
- Using over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, such as hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines
- Using medicines prescribed by your doctor, such as oral or topical steroids, antibiotics, or JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors
Look for the NEA Seal of Acceptance
When looking for products to help manage your eczema symptoms, look for the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis
The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching, which can be severe. Other common symptoms include:
- Red, dry patches of skin.
- Rashes that that may ooze, weep clear fluid, or bleed when scratched.
- Thickening and hardening of the skin.
The symptoms can flare in multiple areas of the body at the same time and can appear in the same locations and in new locations. The appearance and location of the rash vary depending on age, however, the rash can appear anywhere on the body. Patients with darker skin tones often experience darkening or lightening of the skin in areas of skin inflammation.
Infants
During infancy and up to 2 years of age, it is most common for a red rash, which may ooze when scratched, to appear on the:
- Face.
- Scalp.
- Area of skin around joints that touch when the joint bends.
Some parents worry that the infant has atopic dermatitis in the diaper area, however, the condition rarely appears in this area.
Childhood
During childhood, usually 2 years of age to puberty, it is most common for a red thickened rash, which may ooze or bleed when scratched, to appear on the:
- Elbows and knees, usually in the bend.
- Neck.
- Ankles.
Teens and Adults
During the teenage and adult years, it is most common for a red to dark brown scaly rash, which may bleed and crust when scratched, to appear on the:
- Hands.
- Neck.
- Elbows and knees, usually in the bend.
- Skin around the eyes.
- Ankles and feet.
Other common skin features of atopic dermatitis include:
- An extra fold of skin under the eye, which is known as a Dennie-Morgan fold.
- Darkening of the skin beneath the eyes.
- Extra skin creases on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
A Word From Verywell
Eczema symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. However, with the right course of treatment and self-care, eczema can be managed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the triggers of your eczema so you can work to prevent flare-ups and improve your quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Triggers for eczema in adults include stress, allergens, genetics, and environmental irritants, such as climate. Certain household and hygiene products, such as shampoos and conditioners and other cleansers, and materials, such as certain metals or fabrics, can trigger eczema as well.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Pyun BY. Natural history and risk factors of atopic dermatitis in children. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2015,7(2):101-5. doi:10.4168/aair.2015.7.2.101
- National Eczema Association. Eczema causes & triggers.
- Arkwright PD, Motala C, Subramanian H, et al. Management of difficult-to-treat atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013,1(2):142-51. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2012.09.002
- National Eczema Association. Eczema product directory.
- Kim BE, Leung DYM. Significance of skin barrier dysfunction in atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018,10(3):207-15. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.3.207
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Can you get eczema as an adult?
By Molly Burford
Molly Burford is a mental health advocate and wellness book author with almost 10 years of experience in digital media.
Can you get eczema as an adult?
Adults can get any type of eczema, including atopic dermatitis (AD), which many people consider a childhood disease.
AD and the eyes
In adults, atopic dermatitis (AD) often develops on skin around the eyes.
Some adults who have AD had it as a child. It’s possible for AD to go away in childhood and return years later. When the AD returns, it’s often much milder.
For some children, the AD never goes away, so it’s a lifelong disease. This happened to Peter Moffat, the award-winning writer of the British TV series Criminal Justice. You can read about how AD affects his life by going to: Adults with eczema too often suffer in silence
