Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is an allergic skin disorder that usually appears in babies or very young children, and may last until the child reaches adolescence or adulthood. Eczema causes the skin to itch, scale, and flake. Parents with eczema are more likely to have children with eczema.
Different triggers can make eczema worse, including stress, other allergies, and sweating.
The location on the body that is affected by eczema tends to change with age. In infants and young children, the dry skin is usually located on the face, outside of the elbows, and on the knees. In older children and adults, eczema tends to be on the hands and feet, the front of the arms, and on the back of the knees. The following are the most common symptoms of eczema. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.