Weeping Eczema: What it is and How to Deal with It
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist and project plan...
Key Takeaways
- Weeping eczema is not a separate condition but a complication of eczema that causes inflamed skin to leak fluid, often leading to blisters, crusting, itching and redness.
- While weeping eczema is not contagious, cracked or open skin can increase the risk of infection. Seek medical care if symptoms persist for several days or signs of infection develop.
- Early eczema management can help prevent weeping flare-ups. Key strategies include keeping skin clean and moisturized, avoiding triggers, using recommended treatments and avoiding scratching affected areas.
An eczema patch that leaks fluid can be uncomfortable and difficult to deal with. Weeping eczema, as its known, is a side effect of many types of the common skin condition.
Learn more about what it is, what causes weeping eczema and how you can manage it to keep your skin healthy.
What is weeping eczema?
Eczema is a term for a group of skin conditions that cause itchy, inflamed and cracked skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). More than 30 million Americans have eczema, also called dermatitis. Common types include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. Other symptoms of eczema include a red or dark rash, excessive dryness and flakey skin, most often on the face, neck, hands and feet. However, eczema can appear anywhere on the body.
When eczema oozes clear or light-colored fluid, it is called weeping eczema, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The fluid can dry on your skin and create a crust. It’s not a separate type of eczema, but a complication. Any type of eczema can weep.
Common signs of weeping eczema include:
- Blisters
- Drainage
- Crusting
- Burning or itching
- Redness or darker patches of skin
The is caused by the inflammation of the skin, which dilates blood vessels in the skin. The blood vessels leak serum that leads to swelling and then the oozing on the skin.
Is weeping eczema an infection?
Weeping eczema is not an infection and it isn’t contagious, per the AAD. However, infection can enter your body through the cracked skin and open eczema sores can become infected. This is why it’s important to treat and manage eczema.
Additionally, certain infections such as staph and the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, can cause weeping eczema.
See your primary care provider (PCP) or dermatologist if your eczema weeps for more than a few days and regular eczema care doesn’t improve it. Also seek medical care if the area shows signs of infection, such as swelling or pain.
How do I treat weeping eczema?
While your PCP or dermatologist can provide medications and a treatment plan, there are things you can do at home. Keep the eczema patch clean and dry, including cleaning it daily with warm water and a mild cleanser. Hydrate your skin with moisturizer and try a bandage or a wet wrap. This involves applying topical medication and/or moisturizer and then wrapping the area in a wet towel and a dry towel.
Take care with what you apply on your skin. If you notice worsening eczema after applying a new product, don’t use it. You can find products safer for eczema prone skin through the National Eczema Foundation.
Managing eczema as soon as you notice a flare is one of the best ways to prevent weeping rashes. Avoid triggers, keep your skin moisturized and try applying petroleum jelly on patches that aren’t weeping and don’t scratch your skin. Scratching eczema can open it up and introduce bacteria that can lead to infections.
Photo credit: Getty Images
