Childhood Atopic Eczema

Abstract

The term eczema comes from the Greek meaning ‘to boil over’. Atopic eczema affects 15–20% of schoolchildren. It usually starts under the age of 6 months and by 1 year of age, 60% of those likely to develop eczema will have done so. It is an important condition as it has considerable impact on the quality of life of affected children. Atopic eczema is associated with other atopic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. In young children, atopic eczema may be associated with food allergy. Remission occurs by 15 years of age in 75% (Fig. 1), although some children develop worsening symptoms in their teenage years and others relapse later in adulthood.