Eczema: Not just seen, felt

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QUICK LINKS
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Understand symptoms
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Learn about diagnosis
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Explore treatments
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Eczema Black icon

Eczema isn’t just what you see,
it’s what you feel

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, affects over 200 million people worldwide. This common, long-term skin condition causes redness, swelling, intense itching, and dryness. It often comes and goes, flaring up without warning—and it can really impact a person’s mental and emotional health.
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SYMPTOMS AND AREAS OF THE BODY

Eczema: A visual guide

Eczema can show up anywhere on your body. Select an area of the body below to learn about common symptoms and examples of how they could appear.
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Hands & fingers
Hands & fingers
Neck
Neck
Inner elbows
Inner elbows
Behind the knees
Behind the knees
Around the mouth
Around the mouth
Around the eyes
Around the eyes
Scalp
Scalp
Upper chest & back
Upper chest & back

How eczema affects hands & fingers

Eczema on the hands and fingers can cause dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and blisters.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the hands and fingers.
Images used with permission from DermNet (©2025DermNet)
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Hands & fingers
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How eczema affects the neck

Eczema on the neck can lead to dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and skin pain.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the neck.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the neck.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the neck.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the neck.
Images used with permission from VisualDx
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Neck
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How eczema affects inner elbows

Eczema on the inner elbows can result in dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and blisters.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the inner elbows.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the inner elbows.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the inner elbows.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the inner elbows.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the inner elbows.
Images used with permission from VisualDx
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Inner elbows
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How eczema affects behind the knees

Eczema behind the knees can cause dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and blisters.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the behind the knees.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the behind the knees.
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Photograph of how eczema affects the behind the knees.
Images used with permission from VisualDx
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Behind the knees
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How eczema affects around the mouth

Eczema around the mouth can lead to dry skin, itchiness, rashes, and scaly patches.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the mouth.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the mouth.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the mouth.
Images used with permission from VisualDx
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Around the mouth
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How eczema affects around the eyes

Eczema around the eyes can result in dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and skin pain.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the eyes.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the eyes.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the eyes.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the eyes.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the eyes.
Images used with permission from DermNet (©2025DermNet)
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Around the eyes
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How eczema affects the scalp

Eczema on the scalp can cause dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and skin infections.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the scalp.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the scalp.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the scalp.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the scalp.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the scalp.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the scalp.
Images used with permission from VisualDx
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Scalp
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How eczema affects upper chest & back

Eczema on the upper chest and back can lead to dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, and skin pain.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the back.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the upper chest.
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Photograph of how eczema affects around the back.
Images used with permission from DermNet (©2025DermNet)
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Upper chest & back
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Experiencing symptoms? Find care

Explore care options
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UNDERSTANDING FLARE UPS

Know your triggers

Eczema triggers are unique to you. Knowing and documenting them can help you manage your flare ups, and have a better conversation with your dermatologist.

Here are some common triggers and how you can document them for your next derm appointment.

  • Sweat
  • Soaps and perfumes
  • Stress
  • Allergens such as dust mites or pollen
  • Weather (hot or cold temperatures, low humidity, or changes in season)
  • Laundry products
  • Clothing
  • Certain illnesses, such as infections
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CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

What could be behind
your eczema?

Scientists still do not know the exact cause of eczema. It could be a number of factors:
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Immune system

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People with eczema can have an immune system that overreacts to things in their surroundings, which can make their skin red and swollen.
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Genetics

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If someone in your family has eczema, it is more likely that you may develop it. Some genes that affect your immune system have been linked to eczema, including those that control T-cells, cytokines, and antibodies, which help defend the body against germs.
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Environment

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Being around pollution, certain allergens, fragrance, or chemicals can make your symptoms worse. Hot weather and sweat can also make your symptoms worse.
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Eczema’s impact

Eczema can affect more than just your skin.
It can impact your overall well-being:
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Sleep
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Self-confidence
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Concentration
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Relationships and interactions
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Everyday tasks
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Mental health
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Ability to participate in activities
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ECZEMA DIAGNOSIS

Eczema looks and feels different for everyone

Eczema often looks red, dry, and itchy on lighter skin—but on darker skin tones, it can appear
brown, purple, or gray.

Steps to help get a clear diagnosis

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Your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms and health history, look at your skin, and may suggest tests to learn more.
Your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms and health history, look at your skin, and may suggest tests to learn more.
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Bring helpful information to your dermatologist

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Since flare ups can happen anytime, it can be helpful to keep track of trigger and symptoms.

There are things you can do to help reach an accurate diagnosis:

  • Take photos during a flare up
  • Document your symptoms
  • Make note of environmental changes/potential causes of flare ups

Having this information in hand helps your dermatologist. If you don’t have a dermatologist or haven’t scheduled your annual appointment, explore independent virtual and in-person options here.

Since flare ups can happen anytime, it can be helpful to keep track of trigger and symptoms.

There are things you can do to help reach an accurate diagnosis:

  • Take photos during a flare up
  • Document your symptoms
  • Make note of environmental changes/potential causes of flare ups

Having this information on hand helps your dermatologist. If you don’t have a dermatologist or haven’t scheduled your annual appointment, explore care options here.

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TALK TO A DOCTOR

Talk to a dermatologist
about eczema

Living with eczema is hard enough. Finding a health care professional should be easy.
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Find care near you

Explore local dermatologists and family physicians in your area. A family physician or general practitioner can help assess your needs and, when needed, connect you with a dermatologist.
Search for primary care near you
Search for dermatologists near you
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TREATMENT

Eczema is long-term. Your relief should be too.

A range of treatment options are available for mild, moderate, and severe eczema. Speak with your doctor to find the right approach for you.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Access additional support and resources for Eczema

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Eczema Society of Canada
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Canadian Dermatology Association
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Canadian Skin Patient Alliance | CSPA
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PP-LLY-CA-0015 04/2026 © 2026, Eli Lilly and Company. All rights reserved.
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