Atopic Eczema

Some children have an inborn tendency to develop eczema, starting as young as the age of 3 months. This type of eczema is called Atopic, or atypical eczema. It is the most common kind of Eczema affecting small children. It is usually seen as a very itchy red rash on the cheek and forehead, knees, the hollows of the arms, wrists and ankles. It may sometimes spread to the torso and also to the head and scalp. Sometimes it is present over a large part of the body. 

Children who are affected with Atopic eczema also have one or more of the following conditions such as hay fever and asthma. These children also have a higher tendency to develop food allergies. Although many children outgrow childhood eczema, those suffering from Atopic eczema usually develop one of the above-mentioned conditions. This kind of eczema usually manifests itself first as a food allergy, moving on to hay fever and then asthma. It is also seen to run in families. If a child has Atopic eczema then there is a 70 percent chance that someone from his immediate family will also have Atopic eczema. 

Recent studies show that one in five children in developed countries suffer from Atopic eczema; this is a sharp increase over the previous decades. But for most children this is usually a minor complaint, only 1-2 percent of affected children get very serious episodes of eczema for which they may need hospitalization.

                                                                    Causes of Atopic Eczema