Is the eczematous itch becoming a hitch?

Eczema Symptoms

Eczema is a skin condition that makes your skin inflamed, red and itchy. It is most seen in infants, but it can occur in people of any age.

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Eczema symptoms depend on the age of the person as well as on the type of eczema the person is suffering from. Therefore, eczema signs and symptoms vary from person to person.

The eczema symptoms common to most forms of eczema are as follows:

Dry, itchy skin
Redness, heating-up and swelling on the affected area
Skin eruptions, usually multiple small ones
Occasional oozing of thin, watery fluid from the eruptions
Chronic scratching, which may lead to thickening of skin in the affected area
Darkening of skin in long standing cases
Crust formation
Flaking

Skin lesions are a common eczema symptom. They may take the form of rashes, bumps, cysts, blisters, pus-filled sacs, swelling, discolorations, hardening or any other change in or on your skin. People may experience lesions on any part of the body, but these signs of eczema are generally seen in the areas mentioned below:

Knees, elbows, ankles (especially on the inner sides)
Arms and legs
Face and neck
Folds of the skin

Eczema Symptoms in Infants

The following eczema symptoms are usually seen in children less than 2 years of age:

Rashes on the cheeks and scalp
Rashes that tend to bubble-up before leaking fluid
Rashes that can cause excessive itching, which may pose difficulties in sleeping

Eczema Symptoms in Children

The following eczema symptoms are generally observed in children aged 2 and above:

Rashes that appear on the wrists, neck, ankles and the crease between the legs and buttocks
Rashes that appear behind the creases of elbows or knees
Bumpy rashes
Rashes that can grow darker or lighter
Skin thickening, also known as lichenification, which can later develop into a permanent itch

Eczema Symptoms in Adults

The following eczema symptoms are commonly seen in adults:

Extremely dry skin on the affected areas
Rashes that are scalier than the ones seen in children
Rashes that generally appear in the creases of the knees, elbows or the nape
Rashes that cover most of the body
Rashes that are permanently itchy
Skin infections

Living with Eczema

All chronic or long-lasting skin diseases have a considerable impact on the psyche of the person and eczema is no exception. Some of the emotional symptoms noticed in people suffering from eczema are as listed below:

Embarrassment and self-consciousness that patients experience due to visible eczema symptoms.
Continuous itching disturbs the everyday life of adults and children alike, which can negatively impact work, sleep and other essential activities.
Eczema lesions may let out a foul-smelling discharge, which can cause embarrassment.
Contact eczema can prevent people from doing daily chores like washing utensils, clothes and so on, thereby making it difficult to manage day-to-day responsibilities.

Eczema symptoms require medical attention and should not be ignored. If ignored, it may lead to the following outcomes:

Impact of eczema symptoms on quality of life

Lack of sleep, decreased productivity at home and at work
Higher health costs and more health-related problems
Adults with eczema feel embarrassed of themselves and fear social interactions

Physical Impact of eczema symptoms

Erythroderma (severe inflammation of most of the body's skin surface)
Offensive discharge
Pigmentation
Lichenification (thickening of the skin)
Post inflammatory de-pigmentation

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FAQs

What does eczema on the face look like?

Eczema symptoms typically include red, scaly and itchy skin. It can occur on any area of the body. However, it can be especially uncomfortable, itchy and painful when it appears on the face. This is because of the sensitivity nature of facial skin. Symptoms of eczema on face include small bumps, red patches and flaking skin. Excessive scratching can lead to the facial skin becoming darker and thicker. It can also lead to skin infections.

What are itchy hands a symptom of?

Itchy hands can be an important symptom of eczema on hands. Some other possible reasons of itchy hands include allergic reaction, diabetes, nerve disorders, reaction to medication and liver disorders among others.

Can eczema be a sign of other illnesses?

Eczema can be a sign of other ailments. According to Harvard Medical School, eczema may signal a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. For a study published in the journal of the British Medical Association, the researchers analysed data from more than 3,85,000 adults with eczema, which was classified as mild, moderate or severe. After a five-year follow-up, the researchers found that people with severe eczema had a 40% to 50% increased risk of heart attack, atrial fibrillation and death from a heart disease, as well as a 20% higher risk of stroke.

What is usually the first sign of dermatitis?

Excessive itching and a red rash are usually the first signs and symptoms of eczema or dermatitis.

How do you know if you have eczema?

Irrespective of which part of your skin is affected, the primary eczema symptom is itchiness. In most cases, the itching starts before the rash. The itchy rash can lead to an oozing, crusting condition which can occur on the face, scalp, arms, legs, back, and chest.