What Is Eczema? Types, Symptoms, Causes, Triggers and Treatment

Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that can cause dry, itchy, irritated and inflamed skin. It can affect people of all ages and may appear anywhere on the body. Symptoms often come and go, with periods of worsening symptoms commonly called eczema flares or flare-ups.

Eczema is not contagious. Although there is currently no cure for eczema, identifying individual triggers, supporting the skin barrier and following an appropriate treatment and skin care routine can help manage symptoms.

Eczema can also affect more than the skin. Persistent itching, discomfort and sleep disruption can interfere with quality of life and may contribute to stress, anxiety and emotional distress.

What Are the Types of Eczema?

The seven major types of eczema are atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema and stasis dermatitis. Each type can have different causes, triggers, symptoms and treatment approaches.

What Is Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that often begins in childhood but can occur at any age.

Common symptoms include:

• Dry, itchy or scaly skin

• Inflamed or discolored patches of skin

• Thickened skin from repeated scratching

• Oozing or crusting in some cases

• Raw or sensitive skin

Atopic dermatitis is associated with a combination of genetics, immune-system activity, environmental factors and changes in the skin barrier. People with atopic dermatitis may also be more likely to have asthma, hay fever or allergies.

What Is Contact Dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis develops when the skin reacts to something it touches. There are two primary types: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when a substance damages or irritates the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance to which a person has become sensitized.

Symptoms may include:

• Itching

• Burning

• Swelling

• Rash

• Dryness

• Cracking

• Blisters

Potential triggers can include fragrances, preservatives, detergents, metals, hair dyes and other ingredients. Because triggers vary from person to person, a dermatologist may recommend patch testing when allergic contact dermatitis is suspected.

What Is Dyshidrotic Eczema?

Dyshidrotic eczema typically causes small, intensely itchy blisters on the hands or feet. The blisters frequently develop along the sides of the fingers, palms or soles of the feet.

Symptoms can include:

• Small fluid-filled blisters

• Intense itching

• Burning or pain

• Dry or cracked skin

What Is Hand Eczema?

Hand eczema affects the hands and wrists and may be associated with irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema or other factors.

Frequent hand washing and repeated exposure to water, soaps, detergents and other irritants may contribute to hand eczema in susceptible individuals.

Symptoms can include dry, chapped or cracked skin, itching, burning, redness or discoloration, pain and, in severe cases, bleeding.

What Is Neurodermatitis?

Neurodermatitis, also called lichen simplex chronicus, develops when repeated itching and scratching causes an area of skin to become thickened and irritated.

It commonly affects areas such as the neck, scalp, shoulders, wrists, ankles and arms. Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is an important part of managing neurodermatitis.

What Is Nummular Eczema?

Nummular eczema typically causes round or coin-shaped patches of irritated skin.

These patches may be intensely itchy and can become dry, scaly, crusted or wet. Dry skin, skin injury, inflammation and environmental factors may contribute to flare-ups.

What Is Stasis Dermatitis?

Stasis dermatitis usually affects the lower legs and is associated with problems with blood flow through the veins.

Symptoms may include swelling around the ankles or lower legs, itching, scaling and changes in skin color. Because stasis dermatitis is related to circulation, medical evaluation is particularly important.

What About Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects oily areas of the body, particularly the scalp, face and areas around the nose and ears.

It may cause dandruff, greasy or flaky scales, itching and inflamed skin. In infants, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is commonly called cradle cap.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Eczema?

Itching is one of the hallmark symptoms of eczema. However, eczema can look different depending on the type, severity, location on the body and a person's skin tone.

Common eczema symptoms include:

• Itching

• Dry or cracked skin

• Inflamed skin

• Rash

• Scaling or flaking

• Small bumps or blisters

• Oozing or crusting

• Thickened skin

• Skin discoloration

• Raw or sensitive skin after scratching

Eczema may also look different on different skin tones, so persistent itching, dryness or changes in the appearance or texture of the skin should be evaluated when the cause is uncertain.

What Causes Eczema?

There is no single cause of eczema. Depending on the type, eczema may involve a combination of genetics, skin-barrier changes, immune-system activity and environmental exposures.

Factors associated with eczema can include:

• Genetics

• A weakened or altered skin barrier

• Immune-system activity

• Environmental exposures

• Allergens

• Irritants

• Dry skin

• Heat and sweating

• Weather

• Stress

When the skin barrier does not function optimally, the skin may have greater difficulty retaining moisture and protecting itself from environmental irritants and allergens.

What Can Trigger an Eczema Flare-Up?

Eczema triggers are different for everyone. Identifying your individual triggers can be an important part of managing eczema and reducing flare-ups.

Potential triggers may include:

• Fragrances

• Harsh soaps and cleansers

• Detergents and cleaning products

• Certain preservatives or cosmetic ingredients

• Heat and sweating

• Cold or dry weather

• Rough fabrics such as wool

• Stress

• Smoke

• Pollen, dust mites or pet dander

• Frequent exposure to water

An important point is that something that triggers eczema in one person may cause no problem at all for another.

Which Ingredients Can Trigger Eczema or Contact Dermatitis?

Certain ingredients in personal care, cosmetic and household products can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals. However, there is no universal list of ingredients that everyone with eczema needs to avoid.

Potential triggers for some individuals can include:

• Fragrance and fragrance components

• Balsam of Peru

• Certain preservatives

• Certain surfactants or harsh cleansing ingredients

• Hair dyes

• Metals such as nickel

• Other ingredients to which an individual has developed an allergy

Rather than labeling these ingredients as “toxic,” it is more accurate to recognize that individual sensitivities and allergies vary considerably.

A dermatologist or allergist can help determine whether formal patch testing is appropriate when allergic contact dermatitis is suspected.

How Is Eczema Treated?

Eczema treatment depends on the type of eczema, severity of symptoms, age and individual triggers. Treatment often combines gentle daily skin care with medications when necessary.

A healthcare professional may recommend:

• Moisturizers and barrier-supporting skin care

• Topical corticosteroids

• Nonsteroidal prescription topical medications

• Calcineurin inhibitors

• Other anti-inflammatory topical medications

• Biologic medications for certain moderate-to-severe cases

• Oral medications in selected cases

• Phototherapy

• Treatment for infection when present

Because eczema treatment has advanced considerably, people with persistent, recurrent or severe eczema should discuss current treatment options with a dermatologist.

How Can You Help Manage Eczema at Home?

A consistent, gentle skin care routine can help support the skin barrier and reduce exposure to personal triggers.

Consider these eczema skin care practices:

• Moisturize regularly. Apply an appropriate moisturizer after bathing while the skin is still slightly damp.

• Choose fragrance-free products. Fragrance can be a trigger for some people with eczema or contact dermatitis.

• Use gentle cleansers. Avoid products that you know irritate or excessively dry your skin.

• Check ingredient labels. If you have known allergies, review ingredient lists before using a new personal care product.

• Ask about patch testing. A dermatologist can perform formal patch testing when allergic contact dermatitis is suspected.

• Avoid overheating. Heat and sweating can trigger itching in some people.

• Wear comfortable fabrics. Rough or irritating fabrics may aggravate sensitive skin.

• Wash new clothing before wearing it.

• Avoid scratching whenever possible. Scratching can further damage the skin barrier and contribute to the itch-scratch cycle.

• Pay attention to stress. Stress may worsen eczema symptoms in some people.

What Skin Care Products Are Best for Eczema-Prone Skin?

Gentle, fragrance-free skin care products that help support the skin barrier are generally preferred for eczema-prone or sensitive skin. People with eczema should also avoid ingredients that they personally know trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis.

Look for products with uncomplicated formulations and consider products specifically evaluated for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

“Fragrance-free” is generally more meaningful than “unscented,” because an unscented product may still contain ingredients intended to mask odors.

People with eczema may also benefit from discussing their personal care products with a dermatologist, particularly when they have known contact allergies.

Should People With Eczema Use Fragrance-Free Products?

Fragrance-free personal care products may help reduce exposure to a common potential irritant or contact allergen.

Fragrance is not a problem for everyone with eczema, but people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin are often advised to consider fragrance-free skin, hair and body care.

Always remember that “fragrance-free” does not guarantee that a product will be suitable for every individual.

What Should You Look for in Shampoo and Conditioner for Eczema-Prone or Sensitive Skin?

People with eczema-prone or sensitive skin may want to choose gentle, fragrance-free hair care products and avoid ingredients they know trigger their individual sensitivities.

When choosing shampoo and conditioner, consider:

• Fragrance-free formulas

• Gentle cleansing ingredients

• Products developed with sensitive skin in mind

• Products that have undergone appropriate sensitive-skin testing

• Products that avoid your known contact allergens

Cleure Shampoo and Conditioner are fragrance-free and have earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Can Stress Make Eczema Worse?

Yes. Stress can contribute to eczema flare-ups or worsen itching in some people.

Stress can also contribute to the itch-scratch cycle. The more the skin itches, the more a person may scratch, which can further damage the skin and lead to additional itching.

Managing stress does not replace appropriate eczema treatment, but it may be a helpful part of an overall eczema-management plan.

Is Eczema Contagious?

No. Eczema is not contagious.

You cannot catch eczema from another person or spread eczema to someone through ordinary physical contact.

Can Eczema Be Cured?

There is currently no cure for eczema, but eczema can often be effectively managed.

Treatment, regular moisturization, gentle skin care and identifying individual triggers may help reduce the frequency or severity of flare-ups.

What Is the Difference Between Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis?

Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of inflammatory skin conditions, while atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema.

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not technically mean exactly the same thing.

When Should You See a Dermatologist for Eczema?

Consider seeing a healthcare professional or dermatologist when eczema is persistent, worsening, difficult to control or interfering with sleep or everyday activities.

You should also seek professional care if:

• Over-the-counter skin care is not providing adequate relief

• You suspect a contact allergy

• You experience frequent or severe flare-ups

• The skin becomes painful, warm, swollen, crusted or begins oozing

• You notice other possible signs of infection

Seek prompt medical attention if symptoms suggest a significant infection or are rapidly worsening.

How Can Cleure Help People With Eczema-Prone or Sensitive Skin?

Cleure develops fragrance-free personal care products with sensitive skin and individual sensitivities in mind.

Cleure was founded by dentist Dr. Flora Stay and developed with her daughter, family physician Dr. Tahani Williams, with an emphasis on carefully selected ingredients and gentle personal care for skin, hair, body and oral care.

Selected Cleure products have undergone independent dermatologist-supervised testing. Cleure Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Lotion have earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

For people looking to simplify their personal care routine, Cleure offers fragrance-free options for skin, hair, body and oral care.

What Is the Bottom Line About Eczema?

Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions characterized by symptoms such as itching, dryness and inflammation. Because there are different types of eczema and individual triggers vary, effective management begins with understanding which type you have and identifying factors that may contribute to your flare-ups.

A gentle skin care routine, regular moisturizing, avoiding known triggers and working with a dermatologist when symptoms persist can all play important roles in managing eczema.

For people with eczema-prone or sensitive skin, choosing gentle, fragrance-free personal care products may help reduce exposure to potential triggers such as fragrance.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of eczema.