Atopic eczema is a very common skin condition due to skin inflammation. It may start at any age but the onset is often in childhood. 1 in every 5 children in the UK is affected by eczema at some stage. It may also start later in life in people who did not have AE as a child.

The term ‘atopic’ is used to describe a group of conditions, which include asthma, eczema and hay-fever and food allergy. These conditions are all linked by an increased activity of the allergy side of the body’s immune system. ‘Eczema’ describes red, dry, itchy skin which can sometimes become weeping, blistered, crusted, scaling and thickened.

Atopic eczema can affect different parts of your body. National eczema society and National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have further information and advice.

NHS also has information about atopic ecczema.

Other types of eczema include:

• discoid eczema – a type of eczema that occurs in circular or oval patches on the skin
• contact dermatitis – a type of eczema that occurs when the body comes into contact with a particular substance
• varicose eczema – a type of eczema that most often affects the lower legs and is caused by problems with the flow of blood through the leg
• veinsseborrhoeic eczema – a type of eczema where red, scaly patches develop on the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and scalp
• dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) – a type of eczema that causes tiny blisters to erupt across the palms of the hands

National Eczema Society
Hill House
Highgate Hill
London, N19 5NA

Phone 0800 089 1122
email helpline@eczema.org

• British Association of Dermatologists patient information leaflets
• British Association of Dermatologists Youtube channel

Resources for people with babies and young children 

• HANDi Paediatric app gives up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them