How Long Does Eczema or an Eczema Flare Last?

How long eczema lasts depends on several factors, including the type of eczema (there are several kinds, with atopic dermatitis the most prevalent) and severity.

Most children outgrow eczema, but many will experience recurring episodes throughout their lives. Some people who went through childhood without eczema can develop it as adults as a chronic condition.

Eczema is not curable, but taking the right preventive steps and getting appropriate treatment can improve symptoms and minimize the intensity and duration of flares.

Eczema can start at any time. About 15 to 30 percent of children have eczema, with most of those cases developing in babies younger than 1.

“People most commonly develop eczema before the age of 5,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a dermatologist with the New York Dermatology Group in Manhattan. “Some can outgrow it in their teen years, but for many it persists into adulthood or reappears in adulthood.”

Factors increasing the odds that a child will continue to experience eczema flares into adulthood include:

Eczema severity
Age of onset (when the eczema begins)
Eczema persistence

Estimates of eczema prevalence in adults range from 2 to 10 percent.

In addition to adults who’ve had eczema since childhood, “there is also adult-onset eczema in people who have never had eczema before in their lives — this most commonly appears around age 50,” says Dr. Castilla.

In a review study, researchers found 21 different interpretations of the term “eczema flare,” which makes it difficult to neatly summarize how long a flare lasts.

But in one large study, researchers noted that the average person with atopic dermatitis experiences flares nine times per year, with an average total length of about 15 days. (They cautioned that these time frames may not represent everyone living with atopic dermatitis.)

Another study on atopic dermatitis flares suggested a direct correlation between severity and length of the flare. In other words, as a general rule, the more severe the flare, the longer it lasts.

How to Shorten Eczema Flares

When eczema flares occur, treatment generally involves keeping skin “aggressively” moisturized and using topical (applied directly to the skin) anti-inflammatory medications, says Noah Levit, MD, PhD, a dermatologist with Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in Fairfield.

“The recommended approach is to establish a ‘flare rescue plan’ with your trusted dermatology specialist to be implemented at the earliest signs of trouble,” says Dr. Levit. “The specific steps taken to treat a flare depend on the level of severity and the body areas affected, as well as your age and other health factors.”

Several different factors can affect how long eczema or an eczema flare lasts. They include:

Triggers
Genetics
Type of eczema
Response to treatment

Triggers

Eczema triggers vary from person to person. That’s why it’s important for you to learn more about your triggers and take steps to avoid them.

“Given the chronic and dynamic nature of eczema, patients and families often learn over the years to avoid their major personal triggers or react quickly in case of any missteps,” says Levit.

Castilla notes the following eczema triggers:

Stress
Long, hot showers
Cold, dry winter weather, which saps moisture from skin
Hot summer weather, which can cause sweating (the salts in perspiration can irritate eczema-prone skin)

Other triggers include:

Cigarette smoke
Products with dyes and fragrance such as soap and laundry detergent
Household cleaners

Genetics

Eczema can be genetic, meaning it is inheritable. According to some estimates, the likelihood that a parent with atopic dermatitis will pass it down to a child is more than 50 percent.

Genetic variations may affect how long eczema lasts as well. Several genes implicated in eczema can influence how your immune system responds to triggers and how much protection you get from your skin barrier.

Type of Eczema

There are several different kinds of eczema in addition to atopic dermatitis, and some types can clear up pretty quickly with intervention.

For instance, contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that develops in response to an irritant in the environment, such as a harsh soap, or an allergen, such as nickel or latex. A contact dermatitis rash may improve with relative speed once your skin is no longer touching the trigger.

Response to Treatment

Variations in treatment can affect how long eczema lasts and how frequently flares occur. These variations can include the type of treatment, how well your body responds to it, and how carefully you stick to your treatment plan.

“There is no single most effective treatment for the signs and symptoms of eczema,” says Levit. The success of any therapy, he explains, is determined by the specifics of each patient’s unique experience of the disease and their personal preferences.

He adds that scientists have made significant progress in figuring out the biological mechanisms behind eczema and the associated itching, which has led to the development of what he calls “elegant” new targeted treatments that can help across all levels of disease severity.

An eczema flare can be broken down into three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic.

Acute The acute stage involves itchy, inflamed skin. Your skin may become blistered, wet, or crusty. This stage can last a few weeks.

Subacute During the subacute stage of eczema, your skin becomes less itchy and inflamed. You may notice your skin starting to thicken and become scaly in appearance. This stage can last a few weeks to months.

Chronic The chronic phase often lasts for several months to years. You may notice thickened skin with a persistent but less intense itchiness. This is your skin’s attempt to protect itself from infection.

The Takeaway

Eczema is common in babies and young children. While many outgrow it, for others it will become lifelong. Some adults who never had eczema as children will develop it later in life as a chronic condition.
Eczema flares (specifically those related to atopic dermatitis) can last a few days to several weeks.
You can take several steps to prevent flares or minimize their duration, including avoiding triggers like hot showers and following skin-care routines such as regular moisturizing.

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