Eczema (a.k.a. atopic dermatitis) is your skin’s way of being a bit of a diva: red, itchy, and inflamed, often at the least convenient moments. It happens when your skin barrier is less “castle wall” and more “screen door,” letting out moisture and letting in irritants, allergens, and germs.
Blame a mix of genetics (family history is a biggie), immune system quirks, and a too-leaky skin barrier. Eczema often runs in the allergy-prone crowd: about 1 in 3 folks with eczema have asthma or hay fever, and kids are at higher risk if they have a family or personal history of allergies. Food allergies? They sometimes play a supporting role, especially in babies, but are less of a starring villain for adults

Classic eczema is a tour of:

• Itchy, red, dry, or scaly patches (think “angry toast”)

• Oozing, crusting, or thickened skin in chronic cases

Itch is the star symptom—the itchier the patch, the likelier it’s eczema.

Where?

• Babies: Cheeks, scalp, and the outside of arms and legs (diaper area usually spared)

• Kids: The bends—elbows, knees, wrists, neck

• Adults: Hands, eyelids, face, and flexural areas (elbow/knee creases), but anywhere can flare

Eczema’s BFFs (flare triggers) include:

• Dry air, cold weather, or long hot showers (skin barrier’s enemies)

• Irritants: Fragrant soaps, harsh detergents, wool or scratchy fabrics (cotton is your friend)

• Sweat, stress, allergies, and even sand or chlorine

• Certain skincare products with alcohol, dyes, or “mystery botanicals” (simple, hypoallergenic is best)

Your detective tools: Keep a flare diary! Note what you touched, wore, ate, or did before each bad patch.

• Bathe smart: quick, luke-warm showers, gentle cleansers, and pat—never rub—skin dry

• Moisturize like it’s a ritual: thick, bland creams or ointments right after bathing (within 3 minutes, every time!)

• Avoid scratching—easy to say, hard to do, but fingernails and eczema are frenemies

• Dress in soft, breathable fabrics

• Keep cool, control stress

• Moisturizers: Thick, fragrance-free, and applied often (the unsung hero!)

• Topical steroids: The “firefighters”—safe if used short-term and as directed; always taper.

• Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus): For sensitive areas (face, eyelids) or long-term backup

• Antihistamines: Sometimes help at bedtime for itch, but rarely solve the whole problem

• Severe cases: New biologic meds (like dupilumab) or phototherapy may get “stubborn” spots to retreat.

Yes! For some kiddos, certain foods can spark a flare (especially milk, eggs, peanuts), but avoidance only helps if you’ve actually tested positive.

Adults: food is less likely a culprit. Allergies (dust mites, pollen, pets) and stress are top triggers—stress-relief and avoiding known allergens help many eczema warriors chill things out.