Probability of Having Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) affects approximately 10% of American adults and 10-20% of children, making it the most common inflammatory skin condition. It is characterized by dry, itchy, inflamed skin that can significantly impact quality of life through sleep disruption, social embarrassment, and secondary infections from scratching.

Eczema typically first appears in early childhood (about 60% of cases develop before age 1), and while many children outgrow it, about 40% continue to have symptoms into adulthood. The condition is part of the "atopic triad" with asthma and allergic rhinitis: about 50-70% of children with eczema develop asthma or allergic rhinitis later in life.

Risk factors include family history of atopic conditions, living in urban or dry climates, and certain gene mutations (particularly the filaggrin gene, which affects skin barrier function). Treatment focuses on skin barrier repair (moisturizers, gentle cleansers), reducing inflammation (topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors), and managing triggers. Newer treatments include dupilumab (a biologic injection), JAK inhibitors, and crisaborole (a topical PDE4 inhibitor). The economic burden of eczema in the US is estimated at $5.3 billion per year.