Is Eczema Contagious? What Parents, Partners and Teachers Should Know

If your child has eczema, you have probably had this moment: another parent at the playground pulls their kid back, or a daycare teacher asks, "Is that catching?" It can sting. So let's answer it clearly. Eczema is not contagious. You can't catch it from a hug, a high-five, a shared toy or a swimming pool. Below, we explain why eczema can look contagious, what actually causes it, the one situation where something on eczema-prone skin can spread, and how to explain all of this at school or daycare.

This article is general information for cosmetic skin care and is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor or dermatologist about your or your child's skin, especially if you notice signs of infection.

The short answer: no, eczema is not contagious

Eczema, including its most common type, atopic dermatitis, does not spread from person to person. The American Academy of Dermatology states plainly that atopic dermatitis is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person (American Academy of Dermatology). The National Eczema Association agrees: eczema isn't contagious, and you can't "catch" it or give it to anyone (National Eczema Association).

That means it's completely safe to cuddle, kiss, bathe, hold hands with or share a bed with someone who has eczema. Siblings won't pick it up from each other, and classmates won't get it from sitting next to your child.

Why eczema can look contagious

A lot of the worry comes from how eczema looks during a flare. Patches can be red, rough, scaly, swollen or crusty, and sometimes they ooze clear fluid, which is often called "weeping" eczema (American Academy of Dermatology). On deeper skin tones, flares may look purple, brown or gray rather than red. To someone who doesn't know about eczema, that can resemble a rash you can catch.

Eczema can also seem to "spread" on one person's body, showing up on the cheeks one month and the elbow creases the next. That isn't contagion. It's the same skin condition flaring in different spots in response to triggers such as dry air, heat, sweat, fragrance or scratchy fabrics. If you're still figuring out whether a patch is eczema at all, our guide to eczema vs. dry skin can help.

What actually causes eczema

Researchers are still learning exactly why people get eczema, but the AAD notes that your genes, your immune system and what touches your skin may all play a role (American Academy of Dermatology). Many people with atopic dermatitis have a blood relative with eczema, asthma or hay fever.

The AAD describes the skin barrier as a protective brick wall. With eczema, there are gaps in that wall, so moisture escapes more easily (leading to dryness) and everyday irritants can get in. None of this has anything to do with being dirty, and eczema is not caused by poor hygiene. In fact, over-washing with harsh soaps can make skin feel drier.

When eczema-prone skin may be infected (and that part can spread)

Here's the one important nuance. Because the skin barrier has gaps and scratching can break the skin, eczema-prone skin can pick up germs more easily. The eczema itself still isn't contagious, but a bacterial or viral infection on top of it can be passed to others. The AAD lists signs that a child's eczema may be infected, including (American Academy of Dermatology):

• Honey-colored crusts or scabs
• Pus-filled bumps or blisters
• Sores that look like cold sores or fever blisters
• Reddish, swollen bumps, or streaks of redness spreading on the skin
• Fever, flu-like symptoms, pain or swollen glands

The AAD's guidance is clear: if your child has a fever (100.4°F or higher) or flu-like symptoms along with these signs, get immediate medical care. Infections caused by the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) can be serious on eczema-prone skin. If you see signs of infection but your child otherwise seems like their usual self, contact your child's dermatologist. Until a doctor has checked it, avoid sharing towels and washcloths.

One small, practical habit from the same AAD page: don't dip your fingers straight into your child's moisturizer jar, since that can carry germs from skin into the product. Scoop out what you need with a clean spoon or spatula instead.

Eczema at daycare, school and sports: how to explain it

Kids pick up on how adults react, so a calm, simple explanation goes a long way. Some phrases that work well:

• For classmates: "My skin gets dry and itchy sometimes. You can't catch it. It's just how my skin is."
• For teachers and caregivers: "This is eczema. It isn't contagious. Please let me know if a patch looks crusty, oozes yellow fluid or seems painful, because that can mean infection."
• For coaches: "Sweat can make it itchy, so a quick rinse and a dab of moisturizer after practice helps."

School days are full of handwashing, which can leave eczema-prone hands feeling tight and dry. It helps to send a small tube of hand cream in the backpack so your child can moisturize after washing. Our Oatmeal Hand Cream carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and is made with colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, and the Gentle Foaming Hand Soap is an easy swap for the sink at home.

Gentle daily habits for eczema-prone skin

Because eczema is about the skin barrier, everyday care matters more than avoiding other people. These dermatologist tips (American Academy of Dermatology) are a good place to start:

1. Keep baths short and warm, not hot. Five to ten minutes, with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser only where needed. Our baby eczema bath routine walks through it step by step.
2. Pat skin partly dry and moisturize right away. Choose a thick cream or ointment and apply it at least twice a day.
3. Keep nails short and smooth. This lowers the chance that scratching breaks the skin, which is how germs get in. Cotton gloves at night can help; see our tips for eczema itching at night.
4. Dress in soft, breathable layers. Tag-free cotton is often more comfortable than wool or scratchy synthetics. More in our guide to the best fabrics for eczema.
5. Watch the air. Very dry indoor heat and overheating can both set off the itch-scratch cycle, which is why many families notice more flares from fall into winter. Our winter skin barrier guide has more ideas.

For a daily moisturizer, our Original Skin Soothing eczema cream combines 1% colloidal oatmeal, a skin protectant, with organic honey and beeswax to moisturize and soothe the look and feel of dry, itchy skin. It carries the NEA Seal of Acceptance and is HSA/FSA eligible. If anyone in your home has a nut allergy, the Nut-Free Skin-Soothing Cream is made without almond oil.

When to call your doctor or dermatologist

Reach out to your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist if:

• You see any of the infection signs above, such as honey-colored crusts, pus, cold-sore-like blisters or a fever
• Itching keeps your child (or you) awake most nights
• Skin stays dry, cracked or uncomfortable even with a consistent moisturizing routine
• You're not sure whether a rash is eczema or something else

A dermatologist can confirm what's going on and build a plan that fits your family.

FAQ: Is eczema contagious?

Can you get eczema from touching or hugging someone?

No. Eczema doesn't spread through touch, hugs, kisses, shared toys, bedding or pools. It's safe to be close to someone with eczema.

Is weeping or oozing eczema contagious?

Weeping eczema itself isn't contagious. Clear fluid can come from inflamed skin. But yellow crusts, pus or rapidly spreading sores can signal an infection, which can spread, so have a doctor take a look.

Does my child need to stay home from daycare or school?

Not for eczema alone. If a doctor diagnoses a skin infection, ask them when it's okay to go back.

Is eczema caused by poor hygiene?

No. Eczema is linked to genes, the immune system and the skin barrier, not cleanliness. Gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing are usually kinder to eczema-prone skin than frequent scrubbing.

Is baby eczema contagious?

No. Baby eczema is very common and isn't contagious. Many babies first show it on the cheeks, scalp or skin folds.

The bottom line

Eczema is not contagious, so hug away. What deserves attention are signs of infection on eczema-prone skin, because those can spread and need a doctor. Day to day, short warm baths, a thick moisturizer applied right after, short nails and soft clothes go a long way toward keeping skin comfortable. If you'd like to build your family's routine with us, start with the Original Skin-Soothing Cream and the Oatmeal Hand Cream for school days. Orders over $60 ship free.