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September 25, 2026 ยท Updated September 25, 2026

Does eczema go away? Children and adults

Many children outgrow eczema: in one review, 80 percent of childhood cases did not last 8 years. In adults it tends to last or return, and control helps.

By Nick, Founder of Skinli. Not a doctor. General education only.

Part of the Eczema, which puts every step in order.

Eczema is a group of skin conditions that make skin dry, itchy and inflamed, and a doctor should confirm the diagnosis. Once it is confirmed, the next question is usually "Will it go away?" The answer depends on age and on the type of eczema. This guide sets out what the health bodies and the research say for children and for adults, why eczema comes and goes, and what helps it settle. For the condition as a whole, see the complete guide to eczema.

The short answer

Atopic eczema, the most common type, often goes away in children and tends to last or come back in adults. The US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says that for many people, atopic dermatitis improves by adulthood, but for some it can be a lifelong illness. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says there is no way to know in advance whether it will go away or become a lifelong condition.

Some other types can clear completely. The NHS says contact dermatitis usually improves or clears up completely if the substance causing it is found and avoided. The guide can eczema be cured? explains why atopic eczema has no cure yet.

Eczema in children

Most eczema starts in early childhood. The AAD says it often appears between 2 months and 5 years of age. For many of these children, it fades:

  • NIAMS says atopic dermatitis goes away before the teenage years for many children.
  • MedlinePlus, the health site of the US National Library of Medicine, says that in children it often starts to go away around age 5 to 6, although flare-ups often still occur.
  • The NHS says symptoms tend to get better as children get older.

A 2016 review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology gives numbers. It pooled 45 studies with 110,651 people from 15 countries. It found that 80 percent of childhood atopic dermatitis did not last beyond 8 years after diagnosis, that under 5 percent lasted 20 years, and that the average case lasted 6.1 years. The review found that eczema lasted longer in some children:

  • children whose eczema had already lasted many years
  • children whose eczema started later
  • children with more severe eczema
  • girls, compared with boys

Children whose eczema started by age 2 had eczema that lasted a shorter time. The review also said that some of the studies did not track eczema that came back later in life, so the true rate of return may be higher than these figures show.

NICE, the UK body that writes guidance for doctors, asks doctors to explain to families that eczema often improves with time, but that not all children will grow out of it and that it may get worse in the teenage or adult years. A doctor should look after a baby's or child's eczema and explain the right care for that child.

Eczema in adults

For adults, eczema is more likely to last. MedlinePlus says that in adults, atopic dermatitis is usually a long-term or returning condition. The AAD says some people have it for life, and some children with eczema continue to have it as teenagers and adults.

Adults can also get eczema for the first time. The AAD says that when atopic dermatitis starts after a person's 18th birthday, it is called adult-onset atopic dermatitis, and that a peak time for it is in a person's 50s. Adults also get other types, such as contact dermatitis, which is the type most likely to clear completely once its cause is found. The guide to types of eczema covers each type.

Why eczema comes and goes

Eczema rarely stays the same from week to week. NIAMS says that in most cases there are periods when the disease is worse, called flares, followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. The AAD says flare-ups can come and go for years, can stop for a while and then start again, and can appear in the same place again and again.

Triggers explain many flares. The NHS lists soap, washing detergent, some fabrics, pets, pollen, house dust mites and certain foods, heat and changes in temperature, skin infections, stress and hormonal changes such as pregnancy. MedlinePlus adds cold, dry winter air, colds and the flu, and wool. The guide to eczema flare-up triggers explains each one.

Eczema can return years later

The AAD says it is possible for atopic dermatitis to go away in childhood and return years later, and that when it returns it is often much milder. It also says some people see the disease return later in life after it went away by their teenage years.

Even when the rash is gone, the skin can stay sensitive. The AAD says that even if the rash of atopic dermatitis goes away, the skin can still be easily irritated. MedlinePlus says that as children with atopic dermatitis grow older, the problem may get better or go away, but sometimes the skin may stay dry and get irritated easily. The AAD gives the example of adults who had eczema as children and develop raw, cracked, irritated hands that may bleed when they do "wet work," meaning jobs where the hands are often wet, such as nursing, hairdressing or floristry.

Seasons and eczema

Weather affects eczema in different ways. MedlinePlus lists cold, dry winter air among the things that make atopic dermatitis worse, and the AAD says sweat from overheating can trigger a flare. The NHS says sunny or humid weather may improve discoid eczema, and that dry environments and cold climates can make it worse. MedlinePlus says seborrheic dermatitis gets better in summer for some people, and the AAD says its flare-ups are often worst in winter and early spring. So some people see their eczema fade in summer and return in winter.

What makes eczema last longer

Some eczema is harder to settle. MedlinePlus says atopic dermatitis may be harder to control when it begins at an early age, covers a large area of the body, occurs along with allergies and asthma, or occurs in someone with a family history of eczema. The AAD says that the more severe the condition becomes, the harder it can be to treat and the more likely a person is to have it as an adult.

Early care helps. The AAD says that seeing a board-certified dermatologist as soon as you notice signs, and getting an early diagnosis and proper treatment, can prevent eczema from getting worse. It says to follow the recommended skin care, use medicine as instructed and find out what triggers your flare-ups. The guide on how eczema is treated describes what a doctor may offer.

Marks after eczema clears

Eczema can leave the skin a different color for a while. The AAD says that after healing, skin may be lighter or darker where the eczema was. The NHS says that occasionally, areas affected by discoid eczema are left permanently discoloured after the condition clears. MedlinePlus lists permanent scars among the possible complications of atopic dermatitis. The AAD also says that years of scratching can leave skin thick and leathery. Treating eczema early and avoiding scratching lowers these risks. The NHS suggests keeping nails short and gently rubbing itchy skin with a finger instead of scratching.

Keeping skin calm between flares

Care continues after the skin clears. The NHS says to keep applying moisturizer at least twice a day even when eczema improves. NICE says moisturizers should always be used, even when eczema is clear, and that doctors may plan extra steps to prevent flares in children who have them often. Those steps are a decision for the child's doctor. The AAD says keeping skin moisturized with a mild, fragrance-free cream or ointment helps reduce flare-ups. The guide to moisturizing and bathing for eczema covers the daily steps.

When eczema will not go away

If eczema is not improving, something may need to change. The AAD says it sometimes takes trying a few different medicines or light treatments to find the one that works best. The AAD also says other conditions can cause itchy patches that look like eczema, and each needs different treatment, so a doctor may need to recheck the diagnosis. The NHS says to see a doctor if treatments are not helping, and to ask for an urgent appointment if the skin is blistered, crusty, leaking fluid, painful, swollen or warm, if it suddenly gets worse, or if you have a high temperature. Keep using your prescribed treatment as directed while you wait to see the doctor, and ask before changing it.

Frequently asked questions

Does eczema go away?

Eczema often goes away in children and tends to last or return in adults. NIAMS says atopic dermatitis goes away before the teenage years for many children, but can be lifelong for some. A 2016 review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 80 percent of childhood cases did not last 8 years after diagnosis. The American Academy of Dermatology says nobody can predict which course it will take.

Does eczema go away with age?

Eczema often gets better with age, especially atopic eczema that starts in childhood. The NHS says symptoms tend to get better as children get older, and MedlinePlus says it often starts to go away around age 5 to 6. NICE, the UK body that writes guidance for doctors, says not all children grow out of it, and that it may get worse in the teenage or adult years.

What age does eczema go away?

Eczema has no fixed age when it goes away. MedlinePlus says atopic dermatitis in children often starts to go away around age 5 to 6, and the American Academy of Dermatology says it goes away by the teenage years for many children. A 2016 review found the average childhood case lasted 6.1 years after diagnosis, and under 5 percent lasted 20 years.

Does eczema go away on its own?

Eczema can improve on its own over time, especially in children, and it can also get worse without care. NIAMS says atopic dermatitis has remissions, when the skin improves or clears up entirely. The American Academy of Dermatology says seeing a dermatologist early and following a treatment plan can keep eczema from getting worse. Contact dermatitis usually clears once its cause is avoided, says the NHS.

Can eczema go into remission?

Eczema can go into remission. NIAMS says that in most cases, atopic dermatitis has periods when the disease is worse, called flares, followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. The NHS describes the same pattern of flare-ups and better times. Remission can last a long time, and the American Academy of Dermatology says eczema can return years later.

Can eczema go away and come back years later?

Eczema can go away and come back years later. The American Academy of Dermatology says atopic dermatitis can go away in childhood and return years later, and that when it returns it is often milder. The AAD also says some people see the disease return later in life after it went away in their teens. A 2016 review noted that some studies did not capture these later returns.

Why does my eczema go away and come back?

Eczema comes and goes because it is a long-term condition with flare-ups. The NHS says there are usually times when symptoms get worse and times when they are better. Triggers such as soap, heat, cold dry air, stress and skin infections can start a flare, according to the NHS and MedlinePlus. The American Academy of Dermatology says finding and avoiding your triggers can reduce flare-ups.

Does eczema go away in adults?

Eczema in adults usually lasts or keeps returning. MedlinePlus says that in adults, atopic dermatitis is usually a long-term or returning condition. The American Academy of Dermatology says a plan made with a dermatologist can control it, relieving dry skin and itch and reducing flare-ups. Contact dermatitis in adults can clear completely once its cause is found and avoided, the NHS says.

When does baby eczema go away?

Baby eczema often improves as the child grows, but there is no set age. MedlinePlus says atopic dermatitis in children often starts to go away around age 5 to 6, and NIAMS says it goes away before the teenage years for many children. A 2016 review found that eczema starting by age 2 tended to last a shorter time. A doctor should look after a baby's eczema.

Why won't my eczema go away?

Eczema that will not go away may need a different treatment, a trigger found, or a check for another diagnosis. The American Academy of Dermatology says it sometimes takes trying a few medicines to find one that works, and that other conditions can look like eczema. The NHS says to see a doctor if treatments are not helping, and urgently if the skin looks infected.

Can eczema last for months?

Eczema can last for months, and some types last years. The NHS says discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or even years without treatment, and that pompholyx blisters usually last 2 to 3 weeks at a time and keep coming back. MedlinePlus says contact dermatitis usually clears in 2 or 3 weeks once the cause is avoided. A doctor can help shorten a long flare.

Does eczema go away in summer?

Some eczema improves in summer and some gets worse. The NHS says sunny or humid weather may improve discoid eczema, and MedlinePlus says seborrheic dermatitis gets better in summer for some people. Heat can also make atopic eczema worse: the NHS lists heat among its triggers, and the American Academy of Dermatology says sweat can trigger a flare-up.

Do eczema scars go away?

Marks left by eczema often fade, but some can last. The American Academy of Dermatology says skin may be lighter or darker where eczema was after it heals. The NHS says discoid eczema can occasionally leave permanently discoloured skin, and MedlinePlus lists permanent scars among the possible complications of atopic dermatitis. Treating eczema early and avoiding scratching lowers the risk, and a dermatologist can advise on marks.

Sources

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A doctor can tell you what this is.

Skin that hurts, spreads, bleeds, weeps or does not get better needs a doctor or a dermatologist. They can confirm what it is and offer treatment that needs a prescription.

Skinli gives general education about eczema and cannot diagnose eczema or any other rash. See a doctor for any rash on a baby, and get urgent care for a rash that spreads fast, blisters, weeps, crusts, feels hot or painful, or comes with a fever.

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