People with eczema may develop changes in the color or texture of their skin that could last beyond flare-ups. Your skin may appear lighter or darker and have a rough, leathery texture.
Eczema is a condition that affects the skin due to an immune system response. It can cause the skin to itch, develop rashes, and change color and texture.
Eczema symptoms can come and go. When they’re active, you might refer to them as flare-ups. Proper treatment could help you manage these symptoms, but it can take time.
In some instances, scratching from eczema may cause temporary discoloration or possible scarring. Avoiding triggers, managing flare-ups, and talking with a doctor are the best ways to manage eczema scars.
More than 1 in 10 people in the United States have eczema, and symptoms can vary widely. You may have few symptoms and no lingering effects, or more severe symptoms with long-lasting skin changes.
A scar is formed when damaged tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue. According to the National Eczema Association, eczema itself doesn’t cause permanent skin changes or scarring.
However, eczema scarring may be the result of the natural healing process that occurs after picking, scratching, or digging at the skin, which may cause skin damage, an open wound, and possible infection.
Changes in pigmentation after treatment or a flare-up are common and may persist long after a flare-up. In most cases, they’ll eventually go away after several months or years because your epidermis (outer layer of skin) can usually heal itself completely.
Sometimes, however, these skin changes may be permanent if changes occur beneath the epidermis, but this is unlikely.
Pigmentation
According to the National Eczema Society, eczema flare-ups and scratching may cause the affected areas to become lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) than the surrounding skin.
Pigmentation is easier to spot on darker skin tones and may last for several months.
Your skin tone may also inadvertently impact the possibility of scarring. It can be easier to spot and diagnose eczema in lighter skin, leading to earlier treatment and reducing the risk of pigmentation and scarring.
Symptoms of eczema on darker skin may take longer to recognize, which can delay diagnosis.
Itch-scratch cycle
Experts sometimes refer to eczema as an “
Itching can lead to scratching, causing the skin to react further and eczema symptoms to worsen. This results in even more itching, a sequence known as the itch-scratch cycle.
If your skin is wounded from repetitive scratching, it can lead to pigment changes or scarring.
Open skin can also allow unwanted bacteria into your body, increasing the risk of infection. You may be susceptible to scarring from infected skin that takes too long to heal.
Corticosteroids
You may also develop lighter patches on your skin if you use topical corticosteroids for too long, according to the National Eczema Society. But the patches should disappear shortly after you stop using topical steroids.
Eczema is usually characterized by a change in color or texture from the unaffected skin. Here are some ways that eczema may appear. Although these are not “scars,” they’re symptoms that could last several months.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Eczema inflammation looks different depending on your skin tone:
- Your skin may appear pink or red if you have a lighter complexion.
- Your skin may appear brown, purple, or gray if you have a darker complexion.
These skin changes can last for months after a flare-up. They’re more apparent on darker skin tones.
Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation is the opposite of hyperpigmentation. Instead of your skin staying darker after a flare-up, it looks lighter until it’s completely healed.
Lichenification
Your skin may also appear discolored if your eczema progresses to lichenification, which is when your skin becomes thick, leathery, and rough. This can occur in spots that you rub or scratch a lot.
Lichenification also makes your skin more pigmented. It may appear dark pink on lighter skin tones and gray on darker skin tones.
Pityriasis alba
Pityriasis alba is a type of hypopigmentation that is more common in people ages 3 to 16 years.
It appears as oval, scaly patches that are more noticeable in darker skin tones or after being in the sun. The patches won’t change color even when the rest of your skin darkens.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars
If your scratching causes a cut in your skin, you
Hypertrophic scars tend to be in the shape of the wound, while keloid scars grow larger than the original wound and are usually darker.
Research suggests that keloid scars are also more common in people with darker skin tones.
Most skin changes caused by eczema resolve over time. The discoloration is often temporary and fades over a few months. Your skin may look different as the inflammation decreases.
You may experience a longer period of discoloration if you have darker skin.
Skin damage caused by breaking the skin from itching or rubbing may take longer to heal and, in some cases, could result in long-term scarring.
There’s no specific treatment for eczema pigmentation and scars, according to the National Eczema Society.
The most important thing you can do to prevent eczema scarring is to control your flare-ups and minimize scratching. Preventing and managing symptoms can decrease the long-term effects of eczema.
Some ways to help manage eczema symptoms include:
- Know your triggers, and avoid any known irritants or allergens.
- Regularly moisturize your skin throughout the day, especially after bathing or showering.
- Keep your skin clean.
- Follow your eczema treatment plan carefully, such as taking medications as prescribed by a doctor.
- Avoid using fragrances or topical products that irritate your skin.
- Try home remedies to relieve itching and inflammation, such as oatmeal baths, aloe vera, and shea butter.
- See a doctor for prompt treatment if you suspect your skin is infected.
Talk with a doctor about discontinuing topical corticosteroids if you’re concerned about skin discoloration at the treated skin sites.
Living with eczema scars could impact your well-being, so consider speaking with a doctor about concerns related to your condition and asking them for mental health support if needed.
A doctor could recommend a specific treatment to reduce severe scarring or pigment changes to your skin.
Is Vaseline good for eczema scars?
Applying a thick emollient like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to eczema scars may help protect your skin and keep it hydrated, which could help speed up the healing process.
Managing eczema symptoms is key to preventing pigmentation and scarring.
The best way to prevent eczema flare-ups is to identify, understand, and prevent your triggers. Common eczema triggers may include:
- being stressed
- having very dry skin
- sweating
- spending time in cold, hot, or dry environments
- being exposed to irritants and allergens, such as certain clothing materials, soaps, detergents, foods, cigarette smoke, dust mites, pollen, and pollution
- neglecting daily skin care
Eczema may lead to lingering skin changes. You may notice changes to your skin color for some time after other symptoms go away.
Skin changes may develop where scratching breaks the skin or if you develop a bacterial infection. In many cases, these skin changes will fade with time.
It’s important to keep your eczema symptoms under control to avoid changes to your skin. Talk with a doctor about how to manage your eczema or if you are concerned about possible scarring.