Eczema presents with an itchy rash which is red, rough and scaly. It often occurs on a background of dry skin. When it is very severe, it can appear moist and weepy or crusted. When the eczema has been present for a long period of time, the affected skin becomes thicker than normal (lichenification).
Any area of the body can be affected, but some body sites are common:
- for babies, it often begins on the face (especially the cheeks), and can become more widespread from there
- for older children, the skin folds are typically affected – especially the front of the elbows and the back of the knees – and also the wrists and ankles.
When areas of eczema heal there may be changes to the colour of the skin. The affected area may appear lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation). These colour changes tend to slowly improve with time. Eczema usually does not cause permanent scarring, unless it has been deeply scratched.
Eczema can affect people differently
Eczema is not a minor condition. It causes itching and discomfort, which can interfere with sleep. This can have further effects on the entire family.
Older children may become embarrassed about how their eczema looks. The itch and sleep disturbance may also cause problems with concentration and school performance.
Complications of eczema
Skin that is affected by eczema can become infected with bacteria or viruses. This can result in worsening of the eczema, together with the appearance of sores, crusts, weepy areas, pimples or boils
In severe long-term cases, untreated childhood eczema may interfere with growth and development.
It is also possible that untreated eczema may result in an increased risk of subsequent problems with hay fever, asthma and allergies. This is because allergens (any substance which might cause an allergy) may enter through the broken skin, causing the immune system to produce allergies.