What is eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition that can cause mild to extreme irritation. When eczema is mild, it often causes dry, hot and itching skin. In more severe forms, eczema causes raw, broken and cracked skin.

Scratching the irritated skin or ignoring treatment can result in oozing or weeping patches, which are prone to infection. The condition is not contagious and may flare up and recede due to a variety of internal and external conditions. Eczema is also called dermatitis and may be a chronic condition.

Eczema in its various forms is extremely common; in the U.S. approximately 20 percent of babies and young children may have symptoms. For a majority of those who suffer from eczema as children, some symptoms will continue when they are adults; it is believed that more than 15 million people in the U.S. have eczema. It is also possible for eczema to have a first onset during adulthood.

Types of eczema and their causes

There are different types of eczema and they are believed to have different causes. Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most prevalent forms of eczema. Atopic eczema is a genetic condition related to other allergic conditions; those with asthma and hay fever may have a higher propensity for atopic eczema. Contact eczema is generally caused by a physical contact with an allergen or irritant. Other types of eczema include nummular eczema which causes crusty or scaly itchy coin-sized spots of irritated skin, seborrheic eczema which is marked by yellowish and oily skin areas on the scalp and face or stasis dermatitis which is an irritation on the skin of the legs and is commonly associated with circulatory problems.

Those with atopic dermatitis tend to be more susceptible to contact eczema; once the skin is irritated, it is more prone to additional damage.

Treatment of eczema

Eczema cannot be cured; however it can generally be controlled. It is often useful, in the cases of atopic eczema and contact dermatitis, to determine what allergens are irritating the skin. While it can be difficult to isolate specific allergens, it can be helpful since the first course of treatment is to avoid the offending substances. In addition, the sufferer should avoid exposure to abrasives including dust and sand, perfumes and cosmetics, soaps and detergents, wool and synthetic fibers and cigarette smoke as these can all exacerbate the condition.

A doctor can prescribe medicine for treating eczema. In treatment the goal is to heal the skin and to prevent flare-ups from recurring. Over-the-counter creams and ointments such as corticosteroid cream can be used to treat mild eczema symptoms, but in some cases these medications can further irritate the sensitive skin. Over the counter and prescription antihistamines are also used to treat the itching. Extreme or long term cases should always be seen by a doctor. Newer medicines called immuno-modulators help control skin inflammation by reducing immune system reactions. If there is any sign of skin infection, it will be treated with antibiotics, which may be taken orally or may be topical.

Eczema can vary widely, so each person's treatment regimen must be custom-tailored to adapt to his or her personal condition and lifestyle.