Eczema, Decoded: What It Is, What Causes It, and How to Treat It

One day, your skin is on its best behavior, the next it’s throwing a red, flaky tantrum, sending you into a spiral, panic-scrolling for a cure-all. More than 31 million Americans live with eczema, but the chronic condition that leaves skin itchy and inflamed is like a moody teenager—deeply misunderstood. That’s because it looks different from person to person, it shows up on different parts of the body, and it flares unpredictably, making it especially difficult to deal with. 

In this guide, we break down what eczema is, what triggers flare-ups, how it’s commonly managed, and more, to help you make sense of it all.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema—which can also be called atopic dermatitis—is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that compromises your skin barrier, a.k.a. The skin’s outermost layer that’s supposed to keep moisture in and irritants out. When your barrier is compromised, your skin gets more sensitive, reactive, and inflamed. 

Eczema usually shows up on the skin in sporadic flare-ups, and it appears pretty much anywhere: hands, elbows, back of the knees, and the face.

What Causes Eczema?

It’s not completely clear what causes eczema, but there are a number of factors in play: a weakened skin barrier (with eczema, the barrier can’t function as effectively), genetics (if someone in your family has eczema, you’re more likely to develop it, too), and an overactive immune response. One thing it’s definitely not caused by? Poor hygiene. It also isn’t contagious.

What Causes Eczema Flare-Ups?

The frustrating thing about eczema is that there are several possible causes that can trigger flare ups like genetics, stress, irritating fragrances, certain skincare products, or allergies. Environmental factors like cold weather and dry air can also trigger an eczema flare up.

Eczema in Adults vs. Babies

According to the Cleveland Clinic, babies are prone to eczema—around 10% to 20% of them develop the condition. Some people outgrow eczema while others deal with it throughout adulthood. You can also develop eczema for the first time as an adult.

Eczema shows up differently on the skin, depending on one’s age. In young children, it typically manifests as a rash or scaly bumps on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. In adults, eczema patches are usually very dry and scaly, and they’re more likely to appear on the back of the knees, crooks of the elbows, back of the neck, and on the face.

Types of Eczema

You might be surprised to learn that eczema actually isn’t just one specific condition. It’s more of an umbrella term, a way of describing a whole suite of inflammatory skin conditions that tend to cause itching and irritation. There are seven types of eczema in total.

Atopic dermatitis is probably what most people picture when they hear the word "eczema." It's the most common type, and it often appears as an itchy rash or dry, scaly patches. Flares are usually seen on the face, behind the knees, or inside the elbows, but they can show up anywhere.

Contact dermatitis is when your skin reacts to something it touches. That could be an allergy to a metal in jewelry or latex in gloves, or just simply irritation from exposure to soaps or fragrances. The rash tends to show up right where the original contact happened, which is often the first clue.

Dyshidrotic eczema shows up as tiny, deep blisters on the palms, fingers, toes, and soles of the feet. It’s often triggered by stress, allergies, or irritants. The blisters can be extremely itchy before they heal, and the skin dries then peels.

Neurodermatitis affects about 12% of the population, according to the National Eczema Association, shows up as thick, scaly patches on the skin, and causes intense itching and scratching. Stress is a common trigger for this type of eczema.

Nummular eczema creates coin-shaped patches on the skin, which can make it easy to confuse with ringworm. The skin condition usually flares up during the winter.

Seborrheic dermatitis targets oily areas like the scalp, face—around the nose and eyebrows—and the chest, causing inflamed skin and flaky, white or yellowish scales. In adults, when it occurs only on the scalp, it’s called dandruff, and in babies, it’s referred to as “cradle cap.”

Stasis dermatitis tends to impact older adults; it develops in the lower legs when poor circulation causes blood to pool in the veins rather than flowing back to the heart. The skin becomes swollen, itchy, dry, and discolored over time.

Even if two people have the same type of eczema, their experiences could be completely different. One person might flare up from stress or certain soaps; another might react to a specific fabric or change in weather. 

That's one of the trickier parts of managing eczema. It often takes some trial and error (and ideally, a good derm) to figure out what's driving your flares and what actually helps calm them down.

Eczema Symptoms: What It Can Look and Feel Like

For a lot of people, itchiness is the eczema symptom they notice first, especially given the fact that it’s the most disruptive part. It can range from a mild background annoyance to something intense enough to disrupt sleep. Aside from the itch, eczema often brings redness, dryness, and flaky or scaly patches that can show up almost anywhere on the body. 

Symptoms usually come and go in cycles—flares where things get worse, followed by calmer periods—and no two people experience it exactly the same way, in terms of where it shows up or how severe it gets.

How to Treat Eczema (and Manage Symptoms)

There’s no single cure for eczema, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Eczema treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms when they flare, keeping the skin barrier as healthy as possible day-to-day, and figuring out what your triggers are. It’s less about finding a magic fix and more about building a gentle, consistent routine that works for your skin.

How to Treat Eczema on the Face

Facial eczema can feel especially frustrating because facial skin is thinner and more reactive than skin elsewhere on the body, which means it usually flares more easily and takes longer to settle down. Because of this, you want to keep things simple when managing eczema on your face—opt for fragrance-free products with soothing ingredients that support the skin barrier and try to avoid any harsh active ingredients. Over-cleansing is a potential trigger too, so less is more. The goal isn't perfection, just a routine that gives your skin the best chance to stay calm and comfortable. 

How to Treat Eczema on the Hands

Hands are one of the most common places for an eczema flare-up—they’re constantly exposed to water, soap, sanitizer, cleaning products, the environment, and whatever else the day throws at them. The repeated contact strips away the skin’s natural moisture and wears down its protective barrier over time. 

Applying a fragrance-free moisturizer after washing your hands makes a difference, and wearing gloves for tasks like washing the dishes gives your skin a buffer. You want to focus on reducing unnecessary contact with possible irritants wherever you can and replenishing moisture throughout the day.

How to Treat Eczema Around the Eyes

The skin around the eyes is especially delicate, which makes it particularly quick to react to products, allergens, and environmental irritants. If you have eczema in this area less is more—fewer products and gentler, fragrance-free formulas. Even things like eye makeup, makeup remover, or certain sunscreens can be enough to trigger a flare. The priority here is prioritizing comfort and supporting the skin barrier, so when in doubt, simplify your routine and give your skin a chance to settle.

Ingredients That Can Help Soothe Eczema-Prone Skin

When it comes to eczema-prone skin, certain ingredients tend to come up again and again for good reason. Ceramides are the building blocks of a healthy skin barrier, so products formulated with them help support the skin’s outermost layer. 

Colloidal oatmeal is another well-regarded option; it's been used for a long time to soothe irritation and calm itch. Humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid help draw moisture into the skin, while occlusives like petrolatum lock it in. None of these are cures, but used consistently, they can help keep the skin more comfortable and resilient between flares.

Colloidal Oatmeal and Eczema-Prone Skin

Colloidal oatmeal is oats that have been finely ground and processed so they can be suspended in water and absorbed by the skin. It’s been used for centuries as a skin soother, but it also has modern credentials to back it up; it's an FDA-approved over-the-counter skin protectant, meaning it's clinically recognized to help relieve itching, irritation, and sensitivity associated with eczema, rashes, and dry skin. It works by forming a protective layer on the skin, helping to lock in moisture and calm irritation. 

Where Skin Mercy Recovery Cream Fits In

Dieux’s Skin Mercy Recovery Cream isn’t a cure—eczema is complex, and no moisturizer can claim that. However, it is thoughtfully formulated and designed around ingredients, like colloidal oatmeal and glycerin, that support the skin barrier, soothe irritation, and help relieve the kind of dryness, itching, and sensitivity that tend to come with the skin condition.

Why Skin Mercy Is Suitable for Eczema-Prone Skin

Skin Mercy contains 1% colloidal oatmeal, and it's earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. That seal isn't just a badge; it means the formula has been reviewed and vetted to meet specific criteria for people with eczema or sensitive skin. It's a meaningful benchmark for anyone trying to cut through the noise and find products they can actually trust.

Skin Mercy Isn’t Just for Eczema

FYI: Skin Mercy isn’t just for eczema-prone skin. You can reach for the cream whenever your skin barrier is compromised, whether it’s from overusing actives like retinol or exfoliants, recovering from a cosmetic, in-office treatment, or when your skin is just going through a rough patch.

Basically, whenever your skin feels angry, reactive, or in need of some TLC, Skin Mercy is designed to help it get back to a calmer, more comfortable place.

FAQs

Is eczema curable?

There’s no cure for eczema. The good news is that with the right care and a consistent routine, symptoms can often be managed.

What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?

Eczema and psoriasis can look similar at first glance, but they're two different conditions. Eczema is linked to a compromised skin barrier, among other factors, and tends to show up as intensely itchy, dry, inflamed patches, while psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where skin cells turn over too quickly, creating thicker, more defined, scaled plaques. 

Both can appear anywhere on the body, but if you're unsure which you're dealing with, a dermatologist is the right person to ask because the distinction matters when it comes to finding the right care.

How do I know if I have eczema on my face or hands?

Some common signs of eczema include persistent dryness, redness, itching, or flaky patches that tend to come and go rather than stay consistently. On the hands, you might also notice cracking around the knuckles or fingers, and on the face, irritation often clusters around the eyes, nose, or mouth. That said, a lot of skin conditions can look alike, so if you're noticing recurring symptoms that aren't responding to basic moisturizing, it's worth checking in with a dermatologist to get a clearer picture.

What is the best cream for eczema-prone skin?

The best cream for eczema-prone skin is one that's fragrance-free, gentle, and focused on barrier support. Look for ingredients like ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and glycerin, which help lock in moisture and calm irritation without stressing out sensitive skin. 

Everyone's skin is a little different, so it can take some trial and error to find what works best for you, but starting with something simple and well-formulated is a good place to start.

Eczema, Explained—Now What?

Eczema is complex, and living with it can be frustrating, but it's also more manageable than it might seem at first. The more you understand your own triggers, symptoms, and what your skin actually responds to, the better equipped you are to make decisions that support it. 

Skin Mercy was formulated with trustworthy ingredients that work to soothe reactive skin. It's part of Dieux's commitment to being transparent and science-led: no overclaiming, no shortcuts, just a thoughtful formula designed to help sensitive and eczema-prone skin feel more like itself.

As always, you’re Dieux-ing great.