How to recognise atopic eczema and what helps?

Atopic eczema can be a problem at any age. Perhaps you’re dealing with it yourself right now, or with your children or grandchildren. The good news is that symptoms can be kept under control in the long term if you know how to look after your skin properly. We’ll advise you on how to recognise atopic eczema and what usually works for it. ✨

• What is atopic eczema?
• How to recognise atopic eczema?
• What can be done about atopic eczema?
• Where does atopic eczema most commonly appear?
  • Atopic eczema on the face
  • Atopic eczema around the mouth
  • Atopic eczema on the hands
  • Atopic eczema in the hair
• Atopic eczema in children
• Atopic eczema: What not to eat?
• You’re not alone
• FAQ

What is atopic eczema?

Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a non-infectious chronic inflammatory skin condition 🤲, most commonly recognised by dry skin and persistent itching.

The course of eczema is unpredictable, and its development may be influenced by a genetic predisposition, as well as environmental factors, stress, hormones, irritants and certain foods 🥚.

How can you recognise atopic eczema? 👀

The course of eczema is often unpredictable; in the chronic phase, the affected areas are typically red, rough and cracked. The most common symptoms of atopic eczema include:

• dry and flaky skin,
• severe itching,
• red, white, purple or grey skin,
• blisters and swelling.

 

Atopic eczema is also typically characterised by ‘flare-ups’ – the skin may calm down for a while, but then worsen significantly again within a short time (a so-called flare-up). During an acute flare-up, red patches and blisters may appear on the skin.

What can be done about atopic eczema?

Unfortunately, there is no single miracle cure 🧴 that works for atopic eczema every time and for everyone – it is therefore best to see a dermatologist, who will make a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate course of treatment and skincare.

For example, when eczema flares up, they can prescribe treatment to effectively soothe it.

There are also a few basic recommendations:

• try not to scratch the affected areas,

• moisturise your skin regularly with emollients (these replace lost skin lipids, restore the skin barrier, soften and hydrate the skin, and relieve inflammation and itching),

• use gentle cleansers when bathing or showering,

• try to avoid triggers that worsen eczema – such as contact with allergens and temperature changes.

Various natural products can also serve as a useful supplement to the treatment prescribed by your doctor – you could, for example, try a hemp cream for atopic eczema.

The basis of Hemnia Eczema Relief ointment 🧴 is oil extracted from hemp seeds, supplemented with additional oils from grapeseed and Indian mango.

 

Hemp cream is suitable for eczema symptoms occurring on various parts of the body and is particularly useful when the skin is flaky, tight, peeling or tends to itch.

Some women also recommend switching to gentler body care products – and sometimes replacing standard washing-up liquid and cleaning products with more natural alternatives:

• for the whole body after bathing – Annabis Topicann Natural Body Lotion, Nobilis Tilia restorative body lotion Atopik

• for the whole body at any time – Hemnia Eczema Relief, ALPA Cannabis balm, Alpa Dermal hemp cream

• for the hands – Bione cannabis Hand Ointment

• for the skin – Bione Cannabis Ultra Greasy Deeply Nourishing Facial Cream, Nobilis Tilia restorative cream Atopik

• for children – Cannor Baby balm for diaper rash, Bione Baby extra gentle creamy body lotion

Atopic eczema: home remedies and following recommendations can help relieve the skin, but they certainly do not replace treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Where does atopic eczema most commonly appear?

Atopic eczema can appear on various parts of the body at any age –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ women most commonly experience it on the face, eyelids, neck, hands, elbows, but also on the legs or in the hollows of the knees.

Atopic eczema on the face 🙂

Atopic eczema on the face can manifest as redness, tightness and a burning sensation. In some cases, it can even lead to thinning of the eyebrows, the formation of wrinkles under the eyes and darker skin around the eyes. 👀

 

Atopic eczema around the mouth 👄

This type of eczema is known as perioral dermatitis and most commonly presents as pus-filled bumps, tiny spots and blisters around the mouth, which are usually red and may sting, feel tight and itch.

Atopic eczema on the hands 🤲

Atopic eczema on the hands is often accompanied by redness, flaking and cracked skin, which can be intensely itchy. Sometimes blisters and deeper cracks also develop.

Eczema can appear on any part of the hands – on the backs, fingers and palms – and may look slightly different in each person. The affected areas may also sting uncomfortably when washed.

Atopic eczema in the hair 🪮

On the scalp, eczema is often recognisable by red, itchy skin, which frequently develops flakes.

It is sometimes confused with seborrhoea or dandruff – a dermatologist is best placed to tell the difference, but at home you can check whether the skin is mainly dry and, above all, itchy (more common with atopic dermatitis) or rather oily and flaky (more common with seborrhoea and dandruff).

Atopic eczema in children 👶

Atopic eczema often appears as early as childhood – it is estimated that up to around 20% of children experience it. Before the age of 1, it most commonly appears on the face, trunk and limbs and takes the form of red patches and tiny blisters or scabs.

Pre-school and school-age children usually have spots, scabs and rough patches with grazes, most commonly in the crooks of the elbows, the backs of the knees, on the neck and on the face.

 

In many children, atopic dermatitis gradually improves or disappears completely with age, but in some it may persist into adulthood.

Atopic eczema: What not to eat?

For some people, eczema can be made worse by food allergies. The most common triggers of atopic eczema may include:

• cow’s milk
• eggs
• soya
• fish
• peanuts
• wheat

Before you start cutting these foods out of your diet, it’s best to consult a specialist to confirm whether you actually have a food allergy.

You’re not alone 💚

Atopic eczema can be unpleasant and sometimes even painful, but with the right skincare routine, it can often be kept under control. The key is a regular routine 🧴 – gentle cleansing, thorough moisturising and making an effort to avoid triggers.

Whatever recommendations you try, the most important thing is this: the treatment of atopic eczema belongs in the hands of a dermatologist, who will make a diagnosis and help you establish a regimen so that your skin is in a calm state as often as possible.

  

Sources:

• https://www.nzip.cz/rejstrikovy-pojem/722
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/
• https://www.dermanet.cz/cs/kozni-choroby/abeceda-koznich-nemoci/atopicky-ekzem-%28dermatitis-atopica%29__s589x7310.html
• https://lekarnici.cz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Doporuceny-postup-Atopicka-dermatitida-2014.pdf
• https://www.pediatriepropraxi.cz/pdfs/der/2016/03/02.pdf
• https://files.isad.org/meeting/2025/melbourne/1037.pdf

  

Author: Lucie Schmidtová

   

Photo: AI

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