Eczema or atopic dermatitis is characterized by itchy and red skin. This condition is commonly seen in children of a different age. This is a long lasting skin problem that flares up occasionally.

Atopic dermatitis has no particular cure known. There are OTC medicines that can prevent the outbreak or even relieve from itching. In this article, some of the symptoms of eczema will be taken up.

Symptoms
Eczema has symptoms that vary from one person to the other. Some of the symptoms include:

• Dryness of skin
• Itching that intensifies at night
• Patches that are brownish grey to red. The patches develop in the region like chest, wrist, ankles, hands, feet, eyelids, knees and elbows
• There are raised bumps that are small and get crust when scratched
• The skin becomes thickened and scaly
• There is swollen and sensitive skin that develops due to scratching

Atopic dermatitis generally begins at a young age, generally before the age of five and persists till adulthood. In some, the symptoms may flare at regular intervals. It may take several years to clear up.

It is recommended that if one is having an uncomfortable condition that restricts them to get adequate sleep, one should visit a doctor at the earliest. Eczema is also characterized by skin infection where it grows yellow scabs, red streaks or pus.

Having regular distressing symptoms even with home remedies is a clear indication of consulting a doctor. Children who have rashes all over the body along with fever need medical attention.

Complications of eczema
Having learned about the picture of eczema, it is important to understand what atopic dermatitis can lead to if it is left untreated. Here are some of the complications that can be found in a dermatitis patient:

• Hay fever and asthma
  It is believed that eczema is a preceding episode of such a medical condition. Children with atopic dermatitis are found to develop hay fever by 13 years of age.

• Scaly and itchy skin
  Neurodermatitis is a chronic skin condition that develops a patch. Scratching the area can make it even itchier. Scratching eventually takes the form of a habit. The affected skin becomes leathery, discolored, and thick.

• Infections
  Generally, atopic dermatitis causes the urge to scratch repeatedly. This causes some cracks and open sores on the surface of the skin. There is an increased risk of developing an infection from either bacteria or virus. The common virus attack may be from herpes simplex.

• Irritant dermatitis
  Eczema patients need to work in an open environment. This requires the hands to be regularly exposed to wet conditions like detergents, disinfectant, and harsh sap. This gradually develops skin irritation in the hands.

• Allergic dermatitis
  This is a condition where there is allergic manifestation on contact with an allergen. The skin becomes increasingly sensitive in such issues.

• Sleep problems
  The quality of sleep gets destroyed as the skin itches continuously. This brings about a sleeping problem and some other related problems.

Thus, one may have clearly understood the common symptoms and complications of eczema.