It’s possible for eczema symptoms to reappear or develop for the first time as an adult. Genetics, your immune system, or environmental factors can cause adult eczema.
Eczema symptoms usually develop between ages 2 months and 5 years and disappear in adolescence.
However, eczema can also occur in adults.
Sometimes, eczema starts in childhood, clears up for a while, and then returns later on. In other people, it may suddenly appear for the first time as an adult.
According to the National Eczema Association, 1 in 4 adults report their symptoms first appeared in adulthood. Symptoms of adult eczema are more likely to appear in your 20s or after age 50 years.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for eczema in adults.
Genetics, environmental factors, and the immune system may play roles in the development of eczema.
Genetics
The FLG gene is responsible for making filaggrin in the outermost layer of skin, called the epidermis. This gene helps maintain your skin’s barrier function.
However, a gene mutation of FLG results in less filaggrin, which affects the epidermis and
Environmental factors
Coming into contact with allergens and irritants may trigger eczema symptoms. Examples of allergens or irritants include:
- pollen
- food
- tobacco smoke
- scented soaps and detergents
- metals, such as nickel
- clothing material, such as wool
Immune system
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The outside-in theory suggests that allergies penetrate the weakened skin barrier, affecting the immune system.
The inside-out theory suggests the immune system enters overdrive when T cells in the skin are activated.
Eczema symptoms in adults share some similarities with childhood eczema. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these symptoms may include:
- dry, flaky, and cracked skin patches
- itching, which may be intense and cause sleep disturbances
- skin infections
- feelings of depression or anxiety
- increased risk of asthma, hay fever, and other allergies
- lower quality of life if untreated
However, there are some differences. First, the skin usually looks very scaly and is very dry in adults. Adults also tend to get eczema in different areas of the body than children do.
Adult eczema is likely to affect the area surrounding your eyes. Other areas of adult eczema may include:
- the back of your knees
- crooks of your elbows
- back of your neck
In adults, it’s important not to diagnose eczema too quickly and ignore other possibilities that could be causing similar symptoms, such as skin cancer.
There’s no specific test to diagnose eczema. However, a healthcare professional may be able to diagnose your symptoms as eczema.
A healthcare professional will perform a physical and medical history examination. This
- personal and family history of allergies, food intolerances, and eczema
- environmental triggers, such as laundry detergents
- sleep disturbances
- medication history
- skin care routine
- recent stressors
A healthcare professional may also order a skin scraping, skin biopsy, or blood tests to rule out other conditions.
They may also refer you to a dermatologist for specialized care.
Treatment for adult eczema depends on several factors, such as:
- the type and current stage of eczema
- the severity of symptoms
- your medical history
A healthcare professional can go over the different treatment options and help create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
This may include a combination of lifestyle strategies, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, and alternative treatments.
Lifestyle strategies
Eczema symptoms may develop from environmental or mental triggers. It’s important to identify these and find coping strategies to help prevent eczema flare-ups.
Some examples of triggers and lifestyle strategies to consider include:
- Stress: Stress can
trigger eczema symptoms or make them worse. Some ways to help you manage and lower your stress levels include meditation, yoga, regular exercise, and eating a well-balanced diet. - Sleep: Symptoms of eczema could cause sleep disturbances. Poor sleep quality has also been
associated with symptom flare-ups. Practicing good sleep hygiene, like minimizing screen use and not eating large meals before bed, could help improve your sleep. - Irritants: Using fragrance-free skin products, soaps, body washes, and laundry detergents may help reduce flare-ups.
- Moisturizing: Moisturizing is one of the most important aspects of eczema treatment. It’s important to moisturize before and after exercising, right after being wet, and when your skin is dry.
Medications
Some OTC treatments may help reduce inflammation and provide pain and itch relief from eczema symptoms. According to the National Eczema Association, these typically include antihistamines and pain relievers.
However, OTC medications generally only work for mild eczema. Sometimes, prescription medication is necessary.
Prescription medications may
- topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, or phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors to help decrease inflammation
- oral immunosuppressants, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors
- injectable biologics to help control the immune system
In severe cases of eczema, a healthcare professional may also prescribe phototherapy. This uses ultraviolet A or B light waves to help treat your symptoms.
Alternative treatments
Some at-home treatments may also help ease the symptoms of adult eczema. These may include taking colloidal oatmeal baths or applying a cold compress to the affected area.
Some alternative remedies have also been suggested to help ease the symptoms of eczema,
- aromatherapy
- acupuncture
- some herbal remedies, such as oolong tea and tea tree oil
- relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation
- massage therapy
However, more research is needed to fully support the effectiveness of these remedies in the treatment of eczema.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a sign of eczema in adults is red, swollen, or dry skin on the eyelids or around the eyes.
If left untreated, eczema that affects your eyes may lead to several eye complications, such as:
- conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye
- keratitis, which is an inflamed cornea
- keratoconus, which is when your cornea changes shape
Speak with a healthcare professional if you have the following symptoms:
- red, swollen, or watery eyes that don’t go away
- sensitivity to light
- eye pain
- blurriness or loss of vision
Why am I getting eczema all of a sudden?
You may be experiencing eczema symptoms as a result of coming into contact with a trigger. Some common eczema triggers include food allergies and intolerances, certain materials like nickel, and scented soaps, among others.
How do you treat sudden eczema in adults?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, type, and severity of your eczema. Avoiding your triggers, staying moisturized, and drinking plenty of fluids can help manage your symptoms along with taking any medications recommended by a healthcare professional.
What can eczema be mistaken for?
Eczema can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions,
Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, treatment can make a big difference. Making some lifestyle changes, sticking to a skin care routine, and following a doctor’s treatment plan can help you manage your symptoms.
It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you start to experience eczema symptoms as an adult. They can provide a proper diagnosis to eliminate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.