Some people have allergic reactions that result in an itchy, red rash. This reaction is typical of atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis may also be called atopic eczema or eczema though atopic dermatitis is only one type of eczema.

Atopic means that the condition is a lifelong tendency to have similar allergic reactions. This tendency towards reacting to allergens is often hereditary. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious. Atopic dermatitis often occurs with other atopic reactions to allergens such as asthma, hay fever, or conjunctivitis.

Atopic dermatitis occurs when the person is exposed to an allergen. There is an incredible variation of possible allergens. Someone with atopic eczema may never know precisely what triggers their eczema outbreaks. Environmental allergens, food, chemicals in soaps, other types of chemicals or cleaning agents, fabrics, friction from clothing, sweating, or even stress can cause eczema flair ups.

People of any age can have atopic eczema. Some infants and children with eczema do not experience symptoms as adults. While up to twenty percent of children have eczema, two percent or less of adults have eczema. Most of the time, eczema is recurrent and the symptoms can come and go throughout the person’s lifetime.

The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is a dry, itchy rash. Scratching the rash can worsen the condition of the rash. The severity of the eczema rash can varies. Some atopic dermatitis rashes have mild irritation and flaking of dry skin while others may be intensely red, seeping, and have flaking or peeling skin.

Treatments for atopic eczema often include moisturizer for the dryness of the rash. Treatment may also include an antihistamine, steroids, or other medication to directly stop to allergic reaction. One less common treatment for atopic dermatitis is the use of ultraviolet light. Ointments that contain medications that suppress the immune system is sometimes used for severe cases of atopic dermatitis. There is no cure for atopic dermatitis. People who have eczema are likely to have future outbreaks even if their past flair ups were successfully treated.

Preventing future outbreaks of eczema is rarely completely successful, but there are some things that can minimize the risk of future outbreaks. If the allergen that caused the reaction is known, the person should avoid future exposure to the allergen. Hot showers dry out the skin and can make the person susceptible to eczema rashes. After bathing, someone with eczema may want to develop a routine of applying hypoallergenic moisturizer.