8 Eczema Myths
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN on October 2, 2022
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What is eczema?Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes an itchy, red rash on the skin. There is no cure for eczema, and many people experience flare-ups throughout their lives. Living with eczema can be challenging, especially since there are many myths about the condition that simply aren’t true. Putting some of these myths to bed is important for helping people with eczema overcome their disease, leading to happier, healthier lives.
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Myth #1: Eczema isn’t common.Many people think eczema is an uncommon skin condition, but this simply isn’t so. In fact, as many as 30 million Americans have eczema. While doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, a personal or family health history of asthma, allergies, hay fever, or eczema increases your risk of developing the condition. Eczema also affects people of all races and nationalities—there is no one group of people who are more likely to have eczema than others.
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Myth #2: Eczema only affects children.In most cases, eczema symptoms start to show up before the age of five. According to research, almost 60% of people with eczema experience symptoms by the time they are one year old, with a further 30% developing symptoms by age five. But even though eczema is much more common in childhood, teenagers and adults can also develop the condition. Some adults develop eczema even if they never had symptoms as children.
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Myth #3: There is only one type of eczema.The term “eczema” is actually used to describe a group of conditions that affect the skin, causing redness, irritation, and itchiness. Eczema is classified into several groups, depending on the types of symptoms the condition causes and the reason symptoms begin in the first place. Doctors recognize different types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and nummular eczema. The treatment you receive depends on the type of eczema you have.
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Myth #4: Eczema is contagious.This simply isn’t true. There is no evidence that touching someone who has eczema will cause you to develop eczema yourself. This myth is especially harmful, as it causes some people affected by eczema to be more socially isolated than others. As a result, people living with eczema are more likely to psychological symptoms, like depression. Keep in mind that, while the exact cause of eczema is unknown, there is no risk of catching eczema from another person.
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Myth #5: Eczema is caused by poor hygiene.Some people believe eczema is related to poor personal hygiene, but this isn’t true either. Doctors haven’t identified the exact cause of eczema. Research suggests the condition is genetic, or inherited through families. Also, eczema may be triggered by certain environmental allergies or other irritants, like specific foods, animal dander, or cleaning products. Many people with eczema develop other conditions, such as food allergies, hay fever, and asthma, that are also related to allergens and irritants.
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Myth #6: If you have eczema, you can’t shower or swim.There is no evidence that daily showering, bathing, or swimming makes eczema worse. In fact, it’s important to maintain good skin hygiene if you have eczema, especially if itchiness causes you to scratch. Excessive scratching causes small tears in your skin, which can lead to bacterial infections. Gently washing your skin every day and using a moisturizer recommended by your doctor is a good way to help your skin stay as healthy as possible.
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Myth #7: Eczema isn’t serious.Eczema symptoms can range from mild to severe. The more severe your symptoms are, the more likely it is that you’ll experience other issues that make enjoying life difficult. No, eczema isn’t a life-threatening condition, but the skin rash that commonly appears can cause many unpleasant symptoms, like intense itch. Also, having eczema may make you more likely to develop other issues, like depression, especially if other people treat you differently because of your condition.
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Myth #8: There’s no hope for people with eczema.While there is no cure for eczema, we’re already discovered several treatments that effectively manage symptoms. Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend moisturizers, medicated creams or ointments, or oral drugs that help fight inflammation. And new research efforts may lead to exciting new therapies, like a type of biological treatment called monoclonal antibody therapy, that may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for people living with eczema.
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Eczema Myths | Eczema