Eczema
This common inflammatory disorder affects about 35 million people in the U.S. It’s more common in children, and most grow out of it.
Personalized eczema care for more comfortable skin.
Living with eczema can be frustrating. Persistent itching, dry skin, redness, and recurring flare-ups can affect your comfort, sleep, and daily routine. While eczema is a chronic condition, the right treatment plan can help control symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve your quality of life.
Dr. Johnson, a board-certified dermatologist, and her experienced dermatology team provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for eczema in children, teens, and adults. Every patient’s skin is different, which is why we take a personalized approach — identifying triggers, restoring the skin barrier, and creating a treatment plan designed around your individual needs.
With offices in Buckhead and Alpharetta, Steele Dermatology offers expert medical dermatology care in a welcoming, patient-focused environment.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause the skin to become dry, itchy, irritated, and inflamed. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, although several forms of eczema can affect the skin. It affects approximately 35 million people in America. It’s more common in children, and most (but not all) kids grow out of it.
Atopic dermatitis is the kind of eczema that children have, and it tends to be chronic and widespread. Other variants of dry, inflamed skin that we call eczema tend to be less severe and may occur in adults with no history of atopic dermatitis.
Eczema is not contagious, and it is not caused by poor hygiene. Instead, it develops from a combination of genetics, an overactive immune response, environmental triggers such as fragrance or alcohol, and a weakened skin barrier that allows moisture to escape more easily.
Symptoms often come and go, with periods of improvement followed by flare-ups that vary from person to person.
Symptoms to look for
Symptoms vary depending on age and the type of eczema, but may include:
- Dry, rough skin
- Persistent itching
- Red, inflamed patches
- Thickened or leathery skin from repeated scratching
- Cracked or scaly skin
- Small bumps or blisters
- Oozing or crusting during severe flare-ups
- Changes in skin color after inflammation
Because excessive scratching can damage the skin and increase the risk of infection, early treatment is important.
Eczema treatment, at a glance
There is no single cure for eczema, but many patients achieve significant improvement with the right combination of treatments and daily skincare. Your personalized treatment plan may include:
Medical-Grade Moisturizers
Restoring the skin barrier is one of the most important steps in managing eczema. Regular use of fragrance-free moisturizers helps reduce dryness and protect irritated skin.
Topical Medications
Depending on the severity of your eczema, prescription creams or ointments may be recommended to reduce inflammation, relieve itching, and calm flare-ups.
Oral Medications
For more extensive or persistent eczema, oral medications may be appropriate to help control inflammation and improve symptoms.
Trigger Management
Small changes in skincare routines, bathing habits, household products, and environmental exposures can make a meaningful difference in reducing flare-ups.
Ongoing Care
Because eczema often changes over time, periodic follow-up visits allow us to monitor your skin, adjust treatment when needed, and help prevent future flare-ups.
Eczema FAQs
Although the exact cause varies, eczema typically develops from several contributing factors working together. Genetics plays some role since we know that you’re at increased risk if your parent(s) had atopic dermatitis.
Common triggers include:
- Dry skin
- Changes in weather or humidity
- Harsh soaps and skincare products
- Fragrances and detergents
- Seasonal allergies
- Dust mites and pet dander
- Stress
- Sweating and heat
- Certain fabrics, including wool
- Skin infections
Understanding your personal triggers is an important part of long-term eczema management.
With the development of newer medications for the disorder, we know that there are certain chemical pathways that turn on in those with atopic dermatitis that don’t turn on in others. For adults who get mild, scattered areas of eczema (not severe atopic dermatitis), dry skin is the biggest contributor.
Dr. Johnson diagnoses and treats many forms of eczema, including:
Atopic Dermatitis: The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis frequently begins during childhood but may also develop or continue into adulthood. It often affects the face, neck, hands, inside the elbows, and behind the knees.
Contact Dermatitis: This form develops after the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen, such as fragrances, soaps, metals, cosmetics, or certain plants.
Dyshidrotic Eczema: Characterized by small, intensely itchy blisters on the hands and feet, dyshidrotic eczema may worsen during periods of stress or exposure to moisture and irritants.
Nummular Eczema: This type causes round or coin-shaped patches of irritated skin that can become dry, itchy, and inflamed.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: Often affecting the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, and ears, seborrheic dermatitis causes redness and flaky scales. In infants, it commonly appears as cradle cap.
No. Eczema cannot be spread from one person to another through physical contact.
Yes. Although eczema often begins during childhood, it can first appear during adulthood or continue throughout life.
Some children outgrow eczema, while many adults experience recurring symptoms throughout life. With proper treatment, most patients can successfully manage flare-ups and maintain healthier skin.
Yes. Scratching can damage the skin, worsen inflammation, and increase the risk of infection. Proper treatment focuses on controlling the itch while helping the skin heal.
For kids with atopic dermatitis, it can occur any and everywhere, including the face, scalp, and genitals. The most common locations are behind the knees and elbows, face, and torso. As kids get older, usually they have fewer areas affected less often.
For adults with new patchy eczema, you usually have few, random, scattered areas that can occur anywhere. Hand eczema is particularly common in adults and can be quite severe and chronic.
Why choose Steele Dermatology for eczema treatment?
Managing eczema requires more than treating a flare-up — it requires understanding what is causing your skin to react.
Dr. Johnson combines advanced dermatology expertise with a thoughtful, individualized approach to care. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, she works closely with each patient to identify triggers, improve skin health, and develop long-term strategies for managing eczema with confidence.
Patients throughout Buckhead, Alpharetta, and surrounding communities trust Steele Dermatology for compassionate care, personalized treatment, and lasting relationships built on expertise and honesty.
Request an appointment
Schedule online, call (770) 464-6000 or text us, and one of our specialists will assist you.
