How to Care for Severe Atopic Dermatitis Wounds
Health ConditionsSkin ConditionsEczema

How to Care for Atopic Dermatitis Wounds

How to Care for Atopic Dermatitis Wounds
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Published on March 11, 2026
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Even if the symptoms of an atopic dermatitis flare are relatively short lived, the cracks, fissures, and patches of open skin can linger for weeks, if not longer.

It’s common for severe atopic dermatitis to result in wounds. Even if you do everything you can to care for them, it usually requires the help of an experienced dermatologist, who can help develop a treatment plan to keep wounds to a minimum.

Here, learn more about why you’re prone to these cracks and what to do about them.

Why Skin Heals Slowly With Atopic Dermatitis

If you have atopic dermatitis, your skin is more prone to cracking and bleeding, due to skin barrier dysfunction.

 You can think of the skin barrier as a brick wall, says Amreen Sitabkhan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners in Carrollton, Texas. “Your skin cells are the bricks, and most people have the ‘mortar’ in between, which helps to seal everything up, retain moisture, and keep the skin healthy,” she says. “But people with eczema are basically missing that mortar, and so their barrier is not as intact.”

That loss of integrity to the structure of the skin causes dryness and itchiness and allows allergens, germs, and other irritants to get in, which triggers inflammation, says Shira Wieder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx, New York. And that sets off a bit of a vicious cycle: Inflammation disrupts the skin’s barrier even more, leading to even more cracking and bleeding, she says.

 Plus, if you’re tempted to scratch itchy eczema, you may further damage your skin, she adds.
Eczema is associated with a loss in filaggrin, a protein in the skin barrier. Up to 20 percent of people with atopic dermatitis have a genetic deficiency in this protein, which puts them at greater risk of skin problems. But even if you aren’t affected by this gene variation, you may still be lacking other proteins, which hurts your skin’s ability to retain water and maintain its structural integrity, says Dr. Wieder.

Wound Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis

The first step in treating atopic dermatitis wounds is adding moisture back to dry skin. Look for products that contain three key ingredients:

  • Emollients, such as ceramides, which soften the skin and create a protective barrier
  • Humectants, such as glycerin, which attract moisture
  • Occlusives, such as petroleum jelly, which hold in moisture

The idea here is to reduce water loss in the skin that contributes to cracking, Wieder says. The catch: If you already have open wounds or fissures, some of these products might hurt to apply. “Sometimes when the skin is very cracked, only occlusives can be tolerated, due to burning from creams or lotions,” she says. In these cases, she recommends a healing ointment such as Vaseline, CeraVe, or Aquaphor.

Always make sure these products are labeled safe for sensitive skin and fragrance free, says Dr. Sitabkhan, so they don’t irritate atopic dermatitis further.

Bleeding is usually minimal. You might notice specks of blood on your sheets in the morning, for example. If you need to stop the bleeding from a minor wound, apply pressure with clean gauze for a minute or two.

“When moisturizers aren’t enough, I prescribe topical corticosteroids that can really help clear up the cracking and fissured skin,” says Wieder.

 She opts for ointments over creams to limit discomfort while applying them.
She suggests applying the ointment, wrapping the atopic dermatitis wounds with damp gauze, and then covering it with a dry elastic bandage or cotton glove or sock overnight.

 “It will help heal the skin rapidly, and patients will often feel a lot better by the morning,” she says. This wet wrap system is the only kind of bandaging she recommends.
If the wounds are more serious and there are signs of infection, you might need treatment with topical or even oral antibiotics, says Sitabkhan.

Signs to Seek Medical Care for Atopic Dermatitis Wounds

Talk to a healthcare provider anytime an atopic dermatitis wound shows signs of infection. One common early sign is a honey-colored crust on a wound, which can signal impetigo, a superficial skin infection that’s more common in people with atopic dermatitis, says Sitabkhan.

Seek medical care if you also have:

  • Bumps, blisters, or sores
  • Fever or chills
  • Severe burning or pain in the wound
  • Severe itching
  • Swelling

The Takeaway

  • Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, causes dry, itchy, scaly patches of skin that can sometimes crack and bleed.
  • These wounds should be moisturized to restore hydration and protect the skin, as well as reduce pain, itchiness, and inflammation.
  • Wet wraps can help topical medication soak in.
  • Seek medical attention if you have any sign of infection, such as blisters or sores, a crusty texture, fever or chills, and severe pain or itchiness. You may need antibiotics, depending on the infection.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Can Anything Relieve Severe Atopic Dermatitis? American Academy of Dermatology Association.
  2. Jeskey J et al. Atopic Dermatitis: A Review of Diagnosis and Treatment. The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics. November 2024.
  3. Ludmann P. Eczema Types: Atopic Dermatitis Causes. American Academy of Dermatology Association. October 10, 2023.
  4. Moosbrugger-Martinz V et al. Revisiting the Roles of Filaggrin in Atopic Dermatitis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. May 10, 2022.
  5. Emollients. Cleveland Clinic. June 17, 2022.
  6. How to Treat Minor Cuts. American Academy of Dermatology Association. February 11, 2022.
  7. Topical Steroids. National Eczema Society.
  8. Impetigo. Mayo Clinic. April 19, 2023.
  9. Infected Eczema. Cleveland Clinic. May 2, 2025.
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Jacquelyn Dosal

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.

Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.

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Sarah Klein is a Boston-based health journalist with more than 15 years experience in lifestyle media. She has held staff positions at Livestrong, Health, Prevention, and Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, and a National Academy of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer. She moderated a panel on accessibility in fitness at SXSW in 2022, completed the National Press Foundation’s 2020 Vaccine Boot Camp, and attended Mayo Clinic’s Journalist Residency in 2019.

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