Eczema is a variable condition and it can look very different depending on its severity and the location of the condition on the body. It’s important to learn and understand the skin condition so you can better treat and manage it, as well as recognise what’s not eczema.
Eczema Signs & Symptoms
July 5, 2023
What Does Eczema Look Like? A Comprehensive Guide to Eczema Symptoms
Learn how to identify eczema and what else it could be, as well as discover the signs and symptoms of eczema, tests to diagnose it, and more. Read on for a complete guide.
Eczema is a descriptive term for an inflammatory skin condition that typically causes itchy, dry, cracked, and sore skin. Also known, as atopic dermatitis, eczema typically develops in early childhood but can occur at any age. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is often seen in people who also suffer from other allergy-related illnesses including food allergies, asthma and hay fever, despite this eczema is not entirely caused by exposure to allergens (allergy-triggering substances). It is a long-term condition, but it can significantly improve or even clear up completely over time and with appropriate management.
Eczema is a variable condition and it can look very different depending on its severity and the location of the condition on the body. It’s important to learn and understand the skin condition so you can better treat and manage it, as well as recognise what’s not eczema.
This blog will mention the following:
1. What is Eczema?
2. What are the signs and symptoms of Eczema?
3. Where is Eczema commonly found on the body?
4. What else could it be?
5. How is Eczema diagnosed?
6. FAQs
1. What is Eczema?
When discussing eczema, most people are referring to Atopic Dermatitis which is a skin condition that causes the skin to become dry and prone to becoming inflamed as well as itchy, bumpy, and cracked. It’s important to note that there are also other types of eczema including contact dermatitis, discoid eczema, and dyshidrotic eczema.
How eczema appears will depend on your skin tone; people with richly/darker pigmented skin and lightly pigmented skin experience different signs. As a condition, eczema can fluctuate in severity and can have a significant impact on an individual's daily life. Although it is a common condition, it is not contagious.
2. What are the signs and symptoms of Eczema?
The main symptoms of eczema are patches of raised or bumpy skin that are itchy, dry, or cracked. You may find there are periods where the symptoms improve and are less noticeable, followed by periods where symptoms worsen. These periods are often referred to as ‘flare-ups’.
Eczema can look different on each patient, depending on skin tone and severity of the condition. For example, people with richly pigmented skin may have uneven levels of pigmentation present in the affected areas as well as tiny, regular, raised bumps. On the other hand, people with lightly pigmented skin may have red, sore, itchy marks as well as crusting and scales. Everyone has a slightly different variation and it’s important to be able to recognise the condition to help you to self-manage and receive effective treatment.
Lichenification is when your skin becomes thick and leathery and can develop as a result of poorly controlled eczema. Other common signs of eczema include warm skin at the site and raw, sensitive skin from scratching.
As for common triggers of eczema flare-ups, these can include irritants such as soaps and detergents, and environmental factors such as cold weather, pollen, and dampness. Eczema flare-ups can also be triggered by stress and its effect on the immune system.
3. Where is Eczema commonly found on the body?
Eczema can affect any part of your body, but it mostly affects sensitive skin such as the hands, face, scalp, and creases such as the inside elbows, the front of the neck, and the back of the knees.
Hand eczema
Hand eczema mainly affects the backs of the hands and wrists but can affect other parts of the hand too. It commonly presents itself as patches or rashes that are usually red or violet-brown in colour.
Face eczema
Eczema on the face causes dryness, itchiness, and skin discolouration to your cheeks, chin, and forehead. These areas can become inflamed and red. In adults, it most commonly affects the eyelids.
Scalp
Scalp eczema is usually triggered by shampoos, conditioners, and dandruff. It is a common condition that may cause your scalp to become inflamed, itchy, and dry.
Elbows, knees, and neck
Eczema often appears in the creases of the body such as inside elbows, back of knees, and front of the neck. The creases are particularly susceptible to eczema as this is where sweat builds up and skin rubs together.
4. What else could it be?
There are several other skin conditions that present with similar signs and symptoms to eczema. It is important to ensure your condition has been correctly diagnosed to ensure you are started on the correct treatment.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red and crusty patches of skin which form silvery scales. Unlike eczema, psoriasis develops in adulthood and typically affects the backs of elbows and fronts of knees. It is also an autoimmune disease that is believed to be caused by a problem with the immune system which causes your body to make too many skin cells.
This condition is most commonly treated with creams and ointments. Severe cases may require light therapy or stronger medications.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that causes blushing and flushing in your face. This condition is more common in women and people with lighter skin and mainly affects the central area of the face including the nose, cheeks, chin, forehead, and area between the eyebrows. Some patients also experience small pus-like bumps that are present during flare-ups.
Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, research suggests it could be caused by an overactive immune system, abnormalities in blood vessels, genetics, mite reactions, and environmental factors.
Creams, gels, and oral medications all help to reduce spots and redness caused by rosacea.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is closely related to eczema/atopic dermatitis and presents with very similar symptoms. The difference is in contact dermatitis the skin inflammation is caused by direct contact with an allergy or irritant, unlike atopic dermatitis which is caused by a genetic vulnerability in the skin. It can either be classed as allergic or irritant depending on the root cause.
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin has direct contact with an irritant substance and usually presents within a few hours of exposure. It is most common in people with previously damaged, dry or thin skin where the skin’s barrier function is weakened.
In comparison, allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a substance triggering an allergic reaction in the skin, it usually takes 1-2 days to develop following exposure. The delay in time for the reaction to develop can make it difficult to identify the trigger.
Both types of contact dermatitis often occur on the hands and can cause an itchy red rash, burning sensation, weeping of the skin and blistering. The key to managing contact dermatitis is to avoid further exposure to the trigger while simultaneously managing the inflammation with moisturisers and topical prescription products. Both types of contact dermatitis can exist alongside eczema/atopic dermatitis, if you have atopic dermatitis which is suddenly affecting a new area or is suddenly difficult or impossible to control you should think could it be contact dermatitis?
5. How is eczema diagnosed?
As eczema is clinically diagnosed, unfortunately, there is no dedicated test. Instead, medical professionals will look to recognise a pattern and features of the condition including:
- The location of your condition
- Visibly irritated skin in the creases of your body at the time of examination
- A history of skin irritation in affected areas
- A history of asthma or hay fever
- If your condition developed during childhood
Skin tests
Skin tests are not useful for diagnosing eczema, they are used to identify allergic triggers and therefore can be helpful in individuals where allergic contact dermatitis is suspected. There are two types of skin tests, skin prick tests which look for immediate allergic reactions and patch testing which looks for delayed-type reactions. Patch testing is a useful tool in the assessment of an individual with allergic contact dermatitis but is rarely useful in individuals with atopic dermatitis/eczema.
7. FAQs
What causes eczema to flare?
Irritants such as soaps and detergents, environmental factors such as weather conditions and dampness, and genetics can all cause eczema to flare. In some cases, your lifestyle choices may also trigger an eczema flare. Some patients find that dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and mould can also trigger the condition.
How do you stop eczema from spreading?
Eczema is not contagious so can not be passed on. However, you may find eczema appears in more than one place on your body. You can try to prevent outbreaks and attempt to stop eczema from getting worse by ensuring your skin is regularly moisturised, tackling flares early and avoiding/minimising exposure to any known triggers.
