Eczemarefers to a group of skin conditions that usually appear before age 5 and clear up by adulthood.
It causes itching, dryness, redness, scaling, swelling, and oozing or weeping.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition but people often outgrow it.

Sasaton Krungsee / Getty Images
It affects up to 25% of children but only 4% to 7% of adults.
When it occurs for the first time in adulthood, it may be triggered by stress.
In addition, many experts believe there is a genetic predisposition to developing it.
The first sign is itchiness, which is followed by a rash.
This jot down of eczema affects the lower legs.
The skin may be itchy, red, scaly, and swollen.
Asteatotic Eczema
Asteatoticeczema is also calledxeroticeczema or eczemacraquele.
While young adults may develop this condition, asteatotic eczema is most common among older adults.
It occurs most often during the winter.
As you age, it may vary in appearance and affect different parts of the body.
Thus, it is not found in the diaper area, for instance.
The elbows, knees, stomach, and feet are other areas often affected in older babies.
For babies, medications are not often needed.
Your pediatrician may recommend an over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or, in severe cases, prescription medications.
Crisaborole is a non-steroid cream that can be prescribed for atopic dermatitis in infants as young as 3 months.
During adolescence, atopic dermatitis may improve as the increase in hormones supports a healthy skin barrier.
As kids age, they won’t break out as much on the cheeks.
For others, childhood eczema that had cleared up years prior may reemerge.
Eczema can also develop for the very first time in adulthood; this is called adult-onset eczema.
Some of the prime years for developing adult-onset eczema include middle age and older.
Skin naturally becomes drier as people get older, leaving it more vulnerable.
Adults may find their skin becomes thickened and leathery-looking in areas affected by the rash.
There are other skin conditions that look very similar to eczema, includingpsoriasisandrosacea.
As with young children, keeping the skin well moisturized is key to controlling eczema later in life.
it’s possible for you to apply emollients often throughout the day and heavier creams at night.
Remember, your shower or bath water should not be too hot.
Very hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils.
Aim for lukewarm water temperatures for your shower.
Medications for adults with eczema include the same options used for children: topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors.
The key in of eczema you develop may be different with age.
National Eczema Society.Eczema in later life.
National Eczema Association.What is eczema?
Chovatiya R.Atopic dermatitis (eczema).JAMA.
Doi: 10.1155/2014/354250
American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: contact dermatitis overview.
Neale H, Garza-Mayers AC, Tam I, Yu J.Pediatric allergic contact dermatitis.
Part I: Clinical features and common contact allergens in children.J Am Acad Dermatol.
2021;84(2):235-244. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.11.002
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Poison Ivy Dermatitis.
DemNet.Allergic contact dermatitis in children.
National Eczema Society.Varicose eczema.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Asteatotic Eczema.
Poudel RR, Belbase B, Kafle NK.Nummular eczema.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect.
National Eczema Society.Teenagers and eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema Types: Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms.
Frazier W, Bhardwaj N.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis and treatment.AFP.
2020;101(10):590-598.
allergy & Asthma internet.Coping with Eczema.
National Eczema Society.Eczema Treatments.
Piliang M, Schneider S.Atopic Dermatitis.
Published July 3, 2019.
Weston WL, Howe W. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Corona, R (Ed).