Understanding Eczema and How It Can Relate to Food Allergies

Eczema is a very common skin condition that can make your child’s skin feel dry, itchy, and irritated. You may hear your healthcare team use the term atopic dermatitis—this is simply the most common type of eczema in children. Many people use the two terms to mean the same thing.

Eczema and food allergies are often talked about together, but they are not the same thing. Some children have both, but many do not. About 1 in 4 children with eczema also has a food allergy. Babies with eczema can have a higher risk of developing a food allergy. The skin also plays a role in how food allergies can develop. On this page, you will learn more about:

• What eczema is and what can cause it
• What eczema looks like in babies
• How eczema and food allergies can be connected

How Common Is Eczema?

If your child has eczema, you are not alone. About 1 in 5 children has eczema. It often starts early in life—many babies show signs within their first year, and most develop symptoms by age 5.

Eczema can affect children of all backgrounds, but it is more common in Black and Hispanic children. It’s also important to know that eczema can look different depending on your child’s skin tone.

What Does Eczema Look Like in Infants?

Eczema can look different from baby to baby, and it can also change over time. You may hear your healthcare team talk about a “severity scale.” This is just a rating of how bad your baby’s eczema is based on some things like how red, itchy, thick, and cracked it is, and how much of your baby’s body it covers. Eczema is generally considered either mild, moderate, or severe, with severe being the worst. If you are unsure whether your baby’s skin has eczema, take pictures to show your healthcare team.

Examples of what eczema can look like

Here are a few visual examples of what eczema can look like on a baby’s skin. Credit to DermNet for the images.

What Pattern Does Eczema Follow? 

Eczema often comes and goes over time. You may notice:

• Flare-ups (also called “flares”), when your child’s skin becomes more irritated, itchy, or inflamed
• Calm periods, when the skin looks and feels better

Many children get better as they get older, even though eczema may still come back from time to time.

What Causes Eczema?

Eczema develops because of a combination of factors, including:

• A skin barrier that doesn’t hold moisture well
• An immune system that reacts strongly to certain triggers
• A family history of eczema, asthma, or allergies
• Things in the environment (ex: how hot and humid it is)

This happens in part because baby skin is still developing. Normally, your skin has a few jobs to do, like keeping in moisture so you stay hydrated and keeping out bacteria and allergens. For someone with eczema, the protective barrier of their skin doesn’t always work as it should, causing the skin to become dry, inflamed, and red or discolored. For babies, it’s even worse! Their skin is thinner, more sensitive, and less able to hold in moisture. Because of this, your baby’s skin may react more strongly to everyday things like soaps, dry air, or heat.

What Can Make Eczema Worse?

While these things don’t cause eczema, they can trigger flare-ups:

• Dry or cold air
• Heat and sweating
• Soaps, detergents, fragrances, and dyes
• Rough fabrics like wool
• Allergens such as dust, pollen, mold, or pet dander
• Stress

Every child is different, so over time, you may start to notice patterns in what seems to trigger your child’s flares.

The Itch–Scratch Cycle

One of the hardest parts of eczema is the itch.

• Eczema makes the skin itch
• Scratching damages the skin
• Damaged skin becomes even itchier

This loop—often called the itch–scratch cycle—can be tough to break, but it’s an important part of managing eczema and helping your child feel more comfortable.

Other Important Facts about Eczema

Eczema can feel overwhelming at times, but there are some important things to keep in mind:

Eczema is not contagious—your child cannot “catch” it from someone else, and it cannot spread between people.

While there is currently no cure for eczema, it can be effectively managed with the right daily care and treatment plan. Many children are able to keep symptoms under good control with consistent routines. Good skincare plays a key role in managing eczema. It can help reduce flare-ups, soothe itching, and support the skin as it heals over time.

Because of frequent scratching, children with eczema may be more likely to develop skin infections. Eczema is also often linked with other conditions like asthma, food allergies, or seasonal allergies.