Atopic eczema causes areas of skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore.
There are usually periods where the symptoms improve, followed by periods where they get worse (flare-ups). Flare-ups may occur as often as 2 or 3 times a month.
Atopic eczema can occur all over the body, but is most common on the hands (especially fingers) in adults, and the insides of the elbows or backs of the knees, and the face and scalp in children. It may also affect the outside of elbows and front of knees in children with brown and black skin.
Occasionally, areas of skin affected by atopic eczema can become infected. Signs of an infection can include:
- your eczema getting a lot worse
- fluid oozing from the skin
- a yellow crust on the skin surface or small yellowish-white spots appearing in the eczema
- the skin becoming swollen and sore
- feeling hot and shivery and generally unwell
See a doctor as soon as possible if you think your or your child's skin may have become infected.
Read more about infections and other complications of atopic eczema