Eczema Specialist

What is eczema?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a persistent skin disease that causes extremely itchy, painful rashes.

These symptoms often become more intense at night, giving rise to an overpowering urge to itch that makes it hard to sleep. During a flare-up, many eczema patients scratch their skin until it breaks, leaving them prone to infection.

Although people of all ages have eczema, it’s largely considered a childhood skin disease. More than 9 out of 10 cases start in the first five years of life.

Infants who develop eczema before 12 months of age typically get dry, red, scaly patches on their cheeks, forehead, and scalp.

When the condition develops after the age of 2, it’s more likely to take the form of rashes in the creases of a child’s elbows or knees, or along their neck, wrists, or ankles.

Only about half of the people who develop eczema during their childhood have persistent symptoms in adulthood. Those who do are more likely to develop severe rashes on their neck, face, or around their eyes, or more sizeable rashes that cover larger areas of skin.  

What causes eczema?

Experts don’t fully understand what causes eczema, but the disease appears to run in families along with other common childhood health problems.

A significant number of children with eczema have a parent, sibling, or another close family member who has either eczema, hay fever, or asthma.

It’s also not known exactly why half of all children with eczema have mild symptoms as adults when many babies who develop the condition in early infancy no longer have any symptoms by their second birthday.

How is eczema treated?

When eczema persists into adolescence and adulthood, it’s considered a long-term skin disease that can’t be cured. Luckily, you can effectively manage it with the right strategies.

Proper treatment and an eczema-friendly skin care routine go a long way in reducing symptoms, preventing infections, and avoiding flare-ups. Effective eczema control is designed to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Alleviate itching and ease pain
• Clear and prevent infection
• Loosen and remove lesions
• Stop new lesions from forming

Depending on the severity of your condition, your eczema management plan may include oral antibiotics, anti-itch medication, anti-inflammatory injectable medications, or light therapy.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 800-778-3090 or visit sinyderm.com.

We provide the full spectrum of medical, cosmetic, and laser dermatology at all six of our offices in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Park Slope, Brooklyn, the West Village, and the Upper East Side in Manhattan, Forest Hills, Queens, and Southold on Long Island.