What causes itchy skin in eczema?
That dry, itchy, and flaky skin known as eczema or atopic dermatitis (when there is an allergen involved) may affect up to 20% of children. These children are miserable when their skin flares. Their misery is all too often shared by other family members. Parents can become frustrated in their search for cause/causes. The flaring of the condition is multi-factorial – there are many reasons why these children will scratch their skin. It is usually never just one thing that causes the itch/scratch cycle nor is it only due to allergy. So what other things cause itchiness of the skin? An infant with a flare of eczema. As our Atopic Dermatitis Signature Center at Riley was evolving, five dermatologists and two allergists (Drs. Leickly and Vitalpur) completed a survey that asked what we thought caused an exacerbation of eczema/atopic dermatitis. Dr. Vitalpur and I focused on a limited number of foods and did not mention any contribution by inhalant allergens in children. In contrast, the derm
