Skin Health Eczema & Dermatitis How to Identify and Treat Eczema on the Neck By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro Facebook LinkedIn Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Learn about our editorial process Published on November 09, 2022 Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Facebook LinkedIn William Truswell, MD, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngology (head and neck) surgeon. He is president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and treats skin cancer patients as part of his practice. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Symptoms Treatment Prevention When to See a Healthcare Provider FAQs Eczema is an umbrella term that describes a group of skin conditions that cause itchy rashes. Though eczema can occur anywhere on the body, it often develops on the neck because of a type of yeast known as Malassezia spp. Eczema on the neck is often referred to as head and neck dermatitis. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for neck eczema. Causes The cause of eczema isn’t well known. That said, it can sometimes result from: Malassezia spp, an overgrowth of yeast that lives naturally on the skin, Irritants and allergens Other aspects play a role in the development of eczema, including: GeneticsEnvironmentImmune system dysfunction How Common Is Eczema? According to the National Eczema Association, eczema affects roughly 31.6 million people in the United States. Though the numbers associated with head and neck dermatitis aren't clear, children seem more likely to develop it. Symptoms The symptoms of neck eczema include: Excessively itchy skinA reddish rashDry skin that can flake and peel Treatment Treating head and neck dermatitis depends on the cause. If the Malassezia spp fungus causes it, antifungal medication can clear up the rash. If fungus isn’t to blame and it develops because of an unknown cause, different treatment options may be explored, such as: Topical corticosteroids, such as Desonate Topical medications designed to hinder the overreaction of the immune system Phototherapy, which uses UV light to suppress the action of immune system skin cells that are causing inflammation Severe Neck Eczema and Oral Medications In severe cases, oral, intravenous, or injectable medications may treat the body as a whole. These can include corticosteroids and medicines that suppress the immune system. How Atopic Dermatitis Is Treated Prevention In most cases, you cannot prevent eczema on the neck from occurring. That said, you can prevent it from flaring up if you do have the condition. Preventing flare-ups revolves around keeping the skin moisturized and avoiding any triggers you may have, such as stress or contact with an allergen or irritant. Because Malassezia is a natural yeast that grows on the skin, it cannot be prevented either. However, you can prevent overgrowth by avoiding the overuse of antibiotics because antibiotics can sometimes cause the yeast to grow out of control. Avoiding Triggers To avoid triggers for your neck eczema, you must first learn what they are. Say you notice that you have flare-ups during times of great stress. You can then use stress management techniques to help keep your neck eczema at bay during more difficult times. Home Remedies for Eczema When to See a Healthcare Provider Suspecting you have eczema on your neck should warrant an appointment with a dermatologist, a medical provider specializing in skin disorders. Some of the signs that tell you that you should contact your medical provider as soon as possible include: Swelling or pain in the area Warm skin Any areas that have pus or drainage, which can indicate infection Fever A general feeling of unwellness Summary Neck eczema, also referred to as head and neck dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition caused by several things, including an overactive immune system, an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, or a genetic predisposition. The symptoms, such as intense itchiness and dry skin, are common across all types of eczema, including neck eczema. Typically, the condition is treated based on whether or not it is caused by fungal overgrowth. Antifungals may help in that case, and if it’s not the case, other treatments such as corticosteroids or light therapy may help instead. Though you cannot prevent eczema, you can do your best to prevent flare-ups by getting to know your triggers, avoiding them, and practicing stress management techniques. A dermatologist should examine any eczema on the neck so that they can help you develop a treatment plan that will work for you. A Word From Verywell Eczema, especially on the neck, can severely impact your quality of life. Aside from the itchiness and other symptoms associated with the condition, it can cause a cosmetic issue because of its unsightly rash. Eczema is highly treatable. Because of that, even if you have neck eczema, you can find a treatment that works for you so that you don’t have to deal with the symptoms daily. Coping With the Emotional Impact of Eczema Frequently Asked Questions Is eczema common on the neck? Eczema can commonly occur on the neck, but it is most likely to develop in children. Adults, however, can still have neck eczema. Roughly 31.6 million Americans cope with eczema daily. Learn More: Eczema in Children: Overview and More What triggers eczema flare-ups? Many things can trigger an eczema flare-up, such as:Antibiotic useHigh levels of stressComing into contact with an irritant or allergenCold and dry weather Learn More: Eczema Triggers: Identification and Management What should you not put on eczema? There are many over-the-counter options for people with eczema. However, not everything that claims to be good for the skin is good for eczema. People with neck eczema should avoid:Products with glycolic acid, retinol, or salicylic acidFragrance or other harsh and heavily scented soaps and body washesEssential oilsProducts containing urea or lanolinFoaming agentsProducts containing ethanol Learn More: The 8 Best Lotions for Eczema of 2022 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Guglielmo A, Sechi A, Patrizi A, Gurioli C, Neri I. Head and neck dermatitis, a subtype of atopic dermatitis induced by Malassezia spp: Clinical aspects and treatment outcomes in adolescent and adult patients. Pediatr Dermatol. 2021 Jan;38(1):109-114. doi:10.1111/pde.14437 Thomsen SF. Atopic dermatitis: Natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. ISRN Allergy. 2014 Apr 2;2014:354250. doi:10.1155/2014/354250 National Eczema Association. Eczema causes and triggers. National Eczema Association. Eczema facts. Maarouf M, Saberian C, Lio PA, Shi VY. Head-and-neck dermatitis: Diagnostic difficulties and management pearls. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018 Nov;35(6):748-753. doi:10.1111/pde.13642 Rubenstein RM, Malerich SA. Malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 Mar;7(3):37-41. National Eczema Association. 8 skincare ingredients to avoid if you have eczema, according to dermatologists. By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit