Skin conditions5 min readUpdated
Is Eczema Contagious? Causes, Infection Signs and Treatment
Eczema is not contagious, but infected eczema and some look-alike rashes can spread. What causes eczema, warning signs of infection, contagious rashes that look like eczema, triggers and treatment.
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No. Eczema is not contagious: it is caused by genes, an overactive immune response and a weak skin barrier, so you cannot catch it or pass it on by touch. However, eczema skin can become infected with staph bacteria or the cold sore virus, and those infections can spread. Yellow crusts, pus or clusters of punched-out blisters with fever need prompt medical care.
- Eczema is not contagious; you cannot catch it by touch, sharing towels or swimming.
- It is caused by genes, a leaky skin barrier and an overactive immune response.
- About 70% of people with atopic dermatitis have a relative with eczema, asthma or hay fever.
- Infected eczema (staph or herpes) can spread to others and needs treatment.
- Ringworm, impetigo, scabies and molluscum are contagious rashes that can look like eczema.
- Daily moisturizing and prescription creams are the basis of eczema treatment.
On this page 7 sections
No, eczema is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone or give it to anyone, whether by touching, hugging, sharing towels or swimming in the same pool. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition caused by a mix of genes, an overactive immune response and a weak skin barrier, not by a germ.
There is one important exception: eczema skin can become infected with bacteria or viruses, and those infections can spread. Some contagious rashes also look like eczema. This guide explains what causes eczema, when a rash might be catching, the warning signs of infection and how eczema is treated.
Why eczema is not contagious
The most common type, atopic dermatitis, comes from the inside rather than from something you pick up:
- Genes: it runs in families. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 70% of patients have a blood relative with atopic dermatitis, asthma or hay fever.
- A leaky skin barrier: gaps in the outer layer let moisture escape and let irritants, allergens and germs in, which is why eczema skin is so dry.
- An overactive immune response: the immune system overreacts to those irritants, causing itchy inflammation.
Other types, such as contact dermatitis (a reaction to something touching the skin), dyshidrotic eczema (tiny blisters on the hands and feet) and seborrheic dermatitis, are not contagious either. Siblings or family members may both have eczema because they share genes and environment, not because one caught it from the other.
When an eczema rash can spread to others
Not contagious
Ordinary eczema
- Looks likeDry, itchy patches; red on lighter skin, brown, purple or gray on darker skin
- Flares withDry air, soaps, sweat, stress, allergens
- Safe forHugging, sharing a pool, school and work
Can spread
Infected eczema
- Bacterial (staph)Yellow or golden crusts, oozing, pus, spreading redness
- Viral (herpes)Clusters of small, punched-out blisters, often with fever
- What to doSee a provider promptly; avoid skin contact until treated
Because eczema skin has a weaker barrier, germs get in more easily. Staph bacteria commonly live on eczema skin and can cause an infection called impetigo, which can spread to other people with broken skin. The cold sore virus (herpes simplex) can cause a serious, widespread infection in eczema skin called eczema herpeticum. The infection is contagious, even though the eczema underneath is not. People with eczema should avoid close contact with anyone who has an active cold sore.
Get medical care the same day for clusters of small, painful, punched-out blisters or sores on eczema skin, especially with fever, tiredness or swollen glands, or near the eyes. This can be eczema herpeticum, which needs prompt antiviral treatment and can be dangerous for babies and young children. Yellow crusts, pus or rapidly spreading redness also need a prompt visit.
Contagious rashes that can look like eczema
| Condition | How it differs from eczema |
|---|---|
| Ringworm (tinea) | A fungal infection with a ring-shaped, scaly edge and clearer center; spreads by touch, towels and pets |
| Impetigo | Honey-colored crusts, often around the nose and mouth; spreads easily, especially among children |
| Scabies | Intense itch, worse at night, with tiny bumps between fingers, on wrists and waistline; spreads by close contact |
| Molluscum contagiosum | Small, smooth, pearly bumps with a dimple; more common in children with eczema |
If you are not sure whether a rash is eczema, or it does not respond to moisturizers and eczema creams, have it checked. Treating a fungal infection with steroid cream, for example, can make it worse. Psoriasis is another common rash that is not contagious; see our guide to whether psoriasis is contagious.
Common eczema triggers
- Dry air and hot showers, especially in winter; see our winter skincare routine
- Fragranced soaps, lotions and laundry detergents
- Sweat, heat and scratchy fabrics such as wool
- Dust mites, pollen, pet dander and tobacco smoke
- Stress and illness
How eczema is treated
- Daily moisturizing: a thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment at least twice a day, especially within a few minutes of bathing, is the foundation of treatment.
- Gentle bathing: short, lukewarm baths or showers with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
- Prescription creams: topical steroids for flares and non-steroid creams for sensitive areas such as the face and eyelids or for longer-term control.
- For moderate to severe eczema: light therapy, pills or injectable biologic medicines that calm the immune response.
- Treating infection: antibiotics or antivirals when the skin is infected.
Eczema care in Carlsbad
Our dermatology team can confirm whether a rash is eczema or something else, treat infections, and build a plan of skin care and prescription treatment to give you fewer, milder flares, with referral for advanced treatments when needed. Medical dermatology visits are $150 – $375. See our eczema treatment in Carlsbad page or book a visit at our South Carlsbad studio on El Camino Real.
Frequently asked questions
Is eczema contagious?
No. Eczema is caused by genes, the immune system and a weak skin barrier, not by germs, so it cannot spread from person to person.
Can you catch eczema from someone?
No. Family members may both have eczema because they share genes and environment, not because one caught it.
Is infected eczema contagious?
The infection can be. Staph bacteria and the cold sore virus can spread to other people, even though the eczema itself does not.
What does infected eczema look like?
Yellow or golden crusts, oozing, pus, spreading redness, or clusters of small punched-out blisters, sometimes with fever.
What rashes look like eczema but are contagious?
Ringworm, impetigo, scabies and molluscum contagiosum. See a provider if a rash does not respond to eczema treatment.
Can children with eczema go to school or swim?
Yes. Eczema is not contagious, so children can go to school and swim, unless the skin is infected and not yet treated.
Sources
Insiyah Darugar
Insiyah Darugar, MSN, FNP is the founder and CEO of Glow Theory Aesthetic & Dermatology Studio in Carlsbad. She brings more than 15 years of hands-on experience in dermatology and aesthetics and completed the Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, a…
