Infant eczema, or atopic dermatitis, affects 10 to 20% of children according to Assurance Maladie, compared with around 5% of adults. It most often begins at three months of age and disappears before adolescence in around 70% of cases. These three figures are enough to put the condition into perspective: it is common, starts early, and is usually temporary. Here is what the public data say—and what they do not say.
How many children are affected?
Assurance Maladie gives a range of 10 to 20% of children, and around 5% of adults. The French recommendations published in March 2025 give a similar estimate. Their authors, the Groupe de Recherche sur l'Eczéma Atopique and the Centre de Preuves en Dermatologie, cite 10 to 20% of children in Europe and 4 to 5% of adults in France.
The international ISAAC surveys, cited by Inserm, provide narrower measurements by age group: 8 to 9% among children aged 6–7, and around 10% among those aged 13–14. In Europe, differences between countries are substantial: 7 to 28% according to self-reported questionnaires, and 6 to 16% when the measurement is based on a medical examination.
This difference between self-reporting and clinical examination explains the breadth of the published ranges. A wide range is not a sign of imprecision: it reflects different data-collection methods.
At what age does infant eczema appear?
Most often from three months of age, according to Assurance Maladie. Inserm likewise places its onset “from 3 months onward.” It is therefore a condition of the very first months of life, which distinguishes it from most childhood skin conditions.
Before this age, other benign skin manifestations in newborns are common and unrelated. Only an examination can tell them apart, which is one reason why self-diagnosis based on photographs online often leads to mistakes.
Where do the lesions appear?
In infants under one year old, they mainly affect the convex areas of the face: the forehead, chin, and cheeks. The limbs are also affected on their convex surfaces. Assurance Maladie notes that the folds behind and beneath the outer ear are often weeping and cracked.
This pattern changes with age. In older children, the lesions move toward the folds: the elbows, knees, and neck. This shift is one of the features that helps guide the diagnosis.
Does infant eczema go away?
In most cases, yes. Assurance Maladie reports that it disappears before adolescence in around 70% of cases. Inserm reports spontaneous recovery in 50% of children before the age of five, and persistence into adulthood in 10 to 15% of cases.
These three figures do not contradict one another: they measure different milestones—at age five, adolescence, and adulthood. They agree on one point, which is the most useful message for a parent: the condition occurs in flare-ups and usually improves as the child grows.
What we know about the causes
A weakened skin barrier
Inserm identifies abnormalities in the gene coding for filaggrin, a protein involved in the cohesion of the skin’s outermost layer. When this barrier does not function properly, water evaporates more quickly and external substances penetrate more easily. The skin becomes dry and then reactive.
A strong family component
According to Inserm, between 50 and 70% of affected people have an affected first-degree relative. When both parents are affected, the child’s risk of developing eczema reaches 80%. This familial component is one of the strongest among common skin conditions.
Variable triggers
Flare-ups are encouraged by dry air, friction, perspiration, certain fabrics, and hard water. The 2025 French recommendations also mention the role of dietary factors in exacerbations, without considering them a general cause of the condition.
What the 2025 French recommendations say
They were published on March 11, 2025, by the Groupe de Recherche sur l'Eczéma Atopique and the Centre de Preuves en Dermatologie. These two organizations are affiliated with the Société Française de Dermatologie. Their recommendations structure care around several areas, two of which are particularly worth highlighting for parents.
The first is the emphasis placed on therapeutic education and psychological support, including management of corticosteroid phobia—that is, fear of topical corticosteroid treatments. This fear frequently leads to treatments being stopped too early, resulting in longer flare-ups.
The second is the explicit recognition of the impact on the family’s daily life. Sleep, meals, the child’s mood, and the parents’ mood are affected during flare-ups, and this impact should be assessed during consultations.
Bathing: what has changed in the advice
Bathing is no longer considered an aggravating factor in itself. What matters is how it is done: lukewarm rather than hot water, a short duration, patting dry without rubbing, and applying an emollient while the skin is still supple. The choice of cleansing product also matters, a subject we explore in our guide to choosing a suitable soap for babies.
A short, comfortable bath requires a setup that does not force you to improvise. A bathtub with a stand at a comfortable working height allows you to control the temperature and take the child out quickly without bending over. Our comparison of baby bathtubs and our guide to setting up the bathroom cover these practical aspects.
Bathing also retains its role in sensory discovery, which we discuss in our article on bathing and sensory development.
The skin’s everyday environment
Three areas regularly appear in advice from professionals, and they relate more to household organization than to treatment.
- Laundry. Rinse thoroughly, do not use fabric softener, and choose soft materials. Our article on washing baby’s laundry explains the appropriate temperatures and products.
- Air. An interior that is too warm and too dry increases skin dryness. Aim for around 19°C in the bedroom, with daily ventilation.
- Products applied to the skin. The fewer different substances applied to the skin, the easier it is to identify a trigger. This is also one of the topics covered in our article on the chemical safety of baby products and in our article on endocrine disruptors.
When to seek medical advice
Any suspected eczema in an infant warrants medical advice, if only to confirm the diagnosis. Some situations justify consulting a healthcare professional without delay:
- Lesions that weep, develop yellowish crusts, or spread rapidly.
- A fever associated with a flare-up.
- Sleep that remains disrupted by itching.
- No improvement despite following the prescribed treatment.
This article presents public data for informational purposes. It does not replace a diagnosis or a prescription: the doctor caring for your child is the only person able to assess their situation.
Sources
- Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), “Eczema or atopic dermatitis: causes, symptoms, and progression,” page updated June 10, 2026.
- Inserm, “Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema),” updated March 1, 2016—prevalence data from the ISAAC surveys, genetic data, and the role of filaggrin.
- Groupe de Recherche sur l'Eczéma Atopique (GREAT) and Centre de Preuves en Dermatologie, Société Française de Dermatologie, “French recommendations for the management of atopic dermatitis,” announcement dated March 11, 2025.
