Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes skin inflammation and irritation, characterized by skin patches that are dry, itchy, red, and scaly and occasionally ooze and crust over.
Eczema, brought on by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, can appear anywhere on the body, but it’s frequently spotted around the hands, feet, elbows, and area below the knees.
The disease, however, can develop at any stage in life, with a high prevalence rate in children and older adults as world statistics show, 3% of adults and up to 20% of children suffer from it.
Certain features of eczema may change over time, depending on how it’s treated and the environment.
Symptoms include:
- Mild to severe itching
- Dry and sensitive skin
- Reddened or brownish-gray patches of skin
- Small bumps or blisters which may ooze.
- Thick or scaly skin
Recent research shows that the highest cases of the disease are seen in infancy and childhood and cases tend to go down in early adulthood and middle age.
The research data further noted that at least 25% of adults with eczema don’t develop the disease until adulthood.
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Age affects where eczema appears, for instance, babies develop the condition on their scalp, forehead, and cheeks, whereas older children are affected on the elbows or the backs of the knees.
In adults, parts of their affected places may be discolored from years of irritation and scratching.
There is no cure for eczema, though several treatment options have been developed over the years. The research notes that elderly people have a harder time managing it as the age group tends to have underlying chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, making it challenging to find an appropriate treatment.
One positive development is a biologic drug called dupilumab (Dupixent) has been recently studied in people 65 and older. Not only does it appear to be safe for the older population, but it’s also just as effective as it is in younger people with eczema.
