In severe long-term cases, untreated childhood eczema may interfere with growth and development. It is also possible that untreated eczema may result in an increased risk of subsequent problems with hay fever, asthma and allergies.
Eczema in and of itself is not life-threatening, but if uncontrolled, it can have life-threatening complications. We can usually catch it early and manage it. However, some bacteria and viruses can cause infections in patients with eczema, leading to serious or potentially life-threatening complications.
Does eczema go away? There's no known cure for eczema, and the rashes won't simply go away if left untreated. For most people, eczema is a chronic condition that requires careful avoidance of triggers to help prevent flare-ups.
Bacterial skin infections
As atopic eczema can cause your skin to become cracked and broken, there's a risk of the skin becoming infected with bacteria. The risk is higher if you scratch your eczema or do not use your treatments correctly. Signs of a bacterial infection can include: fluid oozing from the skin.
And eczema has three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic. Each eczema stage has its own distinct symptoms.
Eczema may improve after childhood, but it can return later on at any stage of life. Eczema can also suddenly appear for the first time in later life, for reasons that can be difficult to determine. Skin becomes drier as we get older, which can lead to roughness, scaling and itchiness.
Affected areas may be red (light skin) or darker brown, purple, or ash gray (brown skin). Dry, scaly areas. Warmth, possibly also with some swelling. Small, rough bumps.
Eczema tends to reach a peak of intensity between the ages of two and four years old, although in a few cases symptoms will continue into the teen years and beyond. During this time, it most commonly affects the skin inside the elbows and behind the knees.
While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know that people develop eczema because of an interaction between genes and environmental triggers. Many people with eczema often report comorbid symptoms of hay fever, allergic asthma and food allergies.
Atopic dermatitis: More than half of people with eczema have this. It's the most severe type of eczema and it lasts the longest. Symptoms often start in childhood. They include dry, itchy, and scaly skin, especially on the insides of the elbows and backs of the knees.
Covering the skin increases the potency of topical treatments, which may make them more effective.
Corticosteroid creams, solutions, gels, foams, and ointments. These treatments, made with hydrocortisone steroids, can quickly relieve itching and reduce inflammation. They come in different strengths, from mild over-the-counter (OTC) treatments to stronger prescription medicines.
See a doctor if you or your child are experiencing: Discomfort and pain that keeps you from sleeping or functioning normally. Excessive eczema symptoms even after trying over-the-counter or home treatments. Worsening skin infections — especially if they include pus, red streaks, or yellow scabs.
Living with eczema is hard. It is a very uncomfortable condition to live with, and takes an emotional toll on both patient and family. Although there's no cure, there are now better treatments available that can help manage eczema.
AVOID SCRATCHING. Scratching the rash may spread the inflammation, lead to infection and even leave scars. Atopic dermatitis occurs in individuals with tendencies towards allergies and who seem to have very sensitive skin. The persistent itching often encourages scratching, causing the skin to become raw or leathery.
What Causes an Eczema Flare-Up? Triggers aren't the same for everyone, and there may be a lag between the trigger and the symptoms. Sweat, fabrics (wool, polyester), pet dander, hot or cold weather, and harsh soaps are common triggers.
You can't catch eczema from someone or pass it on to others. Eczema doesn't mean that your skin is infected or that it spreads from person to person. Some people might assume that eczema may be contagious because it often tends to run in families.
Look for Visible Signs of Infection
Eczema is typically itchy, red and scaly. When it's flaring, the skin may even appear weepy, oozy or crusty from all the inflammation. Still, skin infections caused by bacteria usually present with a red, hot, swollen and tender rash that often is accompanied with pus.
What it is: An itchy skin rash that's part of the “atopic triad,” meaning those with eczema often also have allergies and asthma, says Dr. Kwon.
Some people find that their eczema improves with exposure to sunlight (this is particularly true of the contact and discoid types), while others experience a worsening of their condition. Rarely, eczema is directly caused by exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight). The term for this is 'photosensitive eczema'.
With proper treatment, flare-ups may last one to three weeks, notes Harvard Health Publishing. Chronic eczema such as atopic dermatitis can go into remission with the help of a good preventative treatment plan.