About Eczema

Eczema is the occurrence of dry and itchy skin patches. Its caused by inflammation in the skin layers. It can be of different types, some are allergic. It can occasionally get infected. It is most common in infants. People with eczema often have asthma or hay fever too.

There is often a family history of these allergic conditions. Both the type of rash and where the rash appears can depend on the age of the patient. In children younger than age 2, skin lesions begin on the face, scalp, hands, and feet. In older children and adults, the rash is more commonly seen on the inside of the knees and elbows, as well as the neck, hands, and feet.

Many things can make your eczema symptoms worse. Food allergy is a major cause of eczema. The more severe the eczema and the younger the child the more likely a food allergy is causing the flair. As well, other irritants and allergens can make eczema worse. They include the following: allergies to pollen, mold, dust mites, or animals; colds or flu, contact with rough materials, dry skin; exposure to environmental irritants, exposure to water, feeling too hot or too cold, fragrances or dyes added to skin lotions or soaps and stress.

As well, symptoms are variable and include: blisters with oozing and crusting or redness, ear discharge and bleeding, Itch and scratch marks, skin color change, redness around the blisters and thickened or leather-like areas, called lichenification.