Unless you?ve actually experienced atopic dermatitis, or eczema as it?s commonly known, it?s easy to write it off as nothing more than a little dry skin. But eczema ? a chronic inflammatory skin condition distinguished by patchy, red, dry, intensely itchy skin1 ? is so much more than that. And it can have a wide-ranging impact not only on the person who has it but on their family, social, work and school lives as well.
Eczema typically begins in infancy or before the age of 5.2 While some cases do resolve as the child grows, many won?t, and adult-onset eczema is also possible.3
Eczema forms in red patches that may ooze or be scaly or crusted.4 Patches may come and go and spread to anywhere on the body, though eczema does tend to favour the bend of the elbows and back of the knees, as well as the face, neck and hands.5 Patches are itchy, but scratching only inflames the area and aggravates the itch, providing little to no relief and often causing pain.6 Scratching may also break the skin, leaving it open to infection.7 ?The primary feature is itch, and this is what is most impactful to patients and their quality of life,? explains Dr. Sonya Abdulla of Dermatology on Bloor in Toronto. ?With itching comes scratching, and this can increase the risk of infection and trigger further eczema flare-ups.?
Eczema can also be constant and relentlessly uncomfortable, affecting sleep, mood and the social life of the sufferer as well as taking a toll on family members.8 ?Itch is extremel...