Is Eczema Contagious? What You Need to Know

If you or someone you know has eczema, you might wonder if this red, itchy skin condition can spread to others. The short answer is no. Eczema is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person, even during active flare-ups. Understanding why this common skin condition develops helps clear up misconceptions and reduce the stigma many people with eczema face.

Why Eczema Is Not Contagious

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by a combination of genetic factors and immune system dysfunction. It develops when your immune system overreacts to irritants or allergens in your environment, creating inflammation in your skin. Unlike contagious skin infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, eczema cannot be caught from another person.

Research shows that people with eczema often have a defective skin barrier due to genetic mutations, particularly in the filaggrin gene. This "leaky" barrier allows moisture to escape and irritants to enter, triggering the inflammation that causes eczema symptoms. Because these factors are internal rather than infectious, you cannot transmit eczema through touching, hugging, sharing items, or any other type of contact.

Why People Think Eczema Might Be Contagious

Eczema's appearance can look alarming, especially during flare-ups. The red, scaly patches sometimes develop weeping blisters that ooze clear fluid and form yellow or orange crusts. This appearance resembles certain contagious skin infections like impetigo or ringworm, leading to understandable confusion.

The fluid that weeps from eczema lesions is simply plasma leaking from inflamed blood vessels—it contains no infectious organisms. Even when eczema looks severe, it poses no transmission risk to others.

The Important Exception: Secondary Infections

While eczema itself is not contagious, broken skin from scratching becomes vulnerable to secondary infections that can spread to others. The most common complications include:

Bacterial infections from Staphylococcus aureus can develop in eczema lesions, causing increased redness, swelling, and yellow crusting. These infections may spread through direct contact.

Eczema herpeticum occurs when herpes simplex virus infects eczema-affected skin, creating widespread painful blisters. This serious complication is highly contagious and requires immediate medical treatment.

If you notice signs of infection—such as increasing pain, warmth, pus, fever, or rapid spreading—see a dermatologist promptly.

Eczema vs Contagious Skin Conditions

Several contagious skin conditions can resemble eczema, which contributes to confusion:

Ringworm is a fungal infection that creates circular, scaly patches. Unlike eczema, it spreads through skin-to-skin contact and is treated with antifungal medication.

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection causing red sores and honey-colored crusts. It's highly contagious, especially among children, and requires antibiotics.

Contact dermatitis looks similar to eczema but results from direct contact with an irritant or allergen. Like eczema, it's not contagious, though it can affect multiple family members exposed to the same trigger.

Living with Someone Who Has Eczema

Family members and close contacts can interact freely with someone who has eczema without risk. You can safely share living spaces, hug, and have physical contact without fear of transmission. However, eczema does have a genetic component—if one parent has eczema, asthma, or hay fever, children have a 50-70% chance of developing similar conditions. If both parents are affected, this risk increases to 80%.

The main consideration for households is helping manage triggers and supporting good skincare habits to prevent flare-ups and secondary infections.

When to See a Dermatologist

Consult a dermatologist if you notice signs of infection in eczema-affected skin, including increased redness, warmth, swelling, oozing pus, fever, or rapidly spreading lesions. A dermatologist can also help diagnose whether a rash is truly eczema or a contagious condition requiring different treatment. Getting proper diagnosis and care helps manage symptoms effectively and prevents complications.

Key Takeaways

Eczema is a non-contagious inflammatory condition caused by genetic and immune factors, not infection. While its appearance may raise concerns, you cannot catch eczema from someone else. The only transmission risk comes from secondary bacterial or viral infections that can develop in broken skin. Understanding this distinction helps reduce stigma and allows people with eczema to participate fully in daily activities without fear of spreading their condition to others.