About 10% of the United States population has some sort of eczema, or atopic dermatitis, which is a condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Eczema most often begins in childhood, although it can sometimes last well into adulthood. Those who have eczema are also at risk of developing hay fever, food allergies, and asthma.

Because eczema can be dry and itchy and red, it can often look like a rash that’s been caused by an allergic reaction or maybe another underlying medical condition. It’s important to get to the bottom of what’s causing your skin condition so you can get the proper care.

Mark C. Stahl, DO, and the rest of our team at Apex Allergy and Asthma in San Antonio, Texas, share some indicators that your rash is eczema and not something else.

Knowing when your rash is eczema

Here’s are four signs to look out for when trying to decipher if your rash is eczema:

1. Your rash is thick and scaly

One of the most common symptoms of eczema is having skin that’s very thick and scaly, and it often has a leathery appearance.

2. Your rash is flaky and cracked

If your rash is eczema related, your skin will likely become flaky and cracked. In addition, as your skin cracks, it may start to ooze clear liquid and crust over.

3. Your rash has red or brown patches

Examining the color of your rash can determine if you’re dealing with eczema. If it looks chapped and is red or brown, eczema is probably to blame.

4. Your rash flares up and then disappears

If you have a flare-up and then it goes away for long periods of time, this could be another signal that you have eczema. It’s known for its comings and goings, and different people have different triggers for flare-ups.

If you also notice that your rash is confined to your face, back of your knees, inside of your elbows,wrists, hands, or feet, that’s also a good indicator that you’re dealing with eczema.

Next steps

It’s essential to seek treatment for a rash no matter the root cause. If you do have eczema, and it goes untreated, it can lead to skin infections and even interfere with your sleep and daily activities if the itchiness progresses.

If you have a rash that needs to be examined, don’t hesitate to contact our office by giving us a call or requesting an appointment online today.