What is Eczema? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Eczema

Have you ever wondered what eczema is? Also referred to as dermatitis, eczema is a term used to describe different kinds of skin inflammation. Dry, reddened skin, intense itching, and thick, crusty skin are all symptoms of this skin condition.

Although the exact cause is unknown, an abnormal function of the immune system is believed to be the culprit. Environmental allergens, irritants (sweat, detergents and perfumes) and certain weather conditions are known to trigger some forms of eczema.

Based on the type and severity of the skin condition, the appearance of eczema varies from person to person. In adults, neck, ankle, knee, elbow and facial eczema are common. In infants, the skin condition is usually found on the cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp and neck.

Types of Eczema

There are many different kinds of eczema – some more prevalent than others. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, a chronic condition that usually begins in infancy. Itchy, inflamed skin is a symptom of atopic dermatitis that can come and go if triggered.

Other types include:

• Contact Eczema – A localized inflammation that causes redness, itching and burning where the skin is in contact with an allergy-causing substance. Skin reactions to detergents, cosmetics and other irritants tend to trigger this condition. A skin reaction to poison oak is another characteristic of contact eczema.
• Nummular – This type of dermatitis is usually chronic and most commonly affects the arms, back, buttocks and lower legs in coin-shaped patches of irritated skin. This disease usually occurs in elderly men.
• Seborrheic – Yellow tinged, oily and scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face and sometimes other parts of the body are common symptoms. Dandruff and cradle cap are both examples of seborrheic dermatitis. Although the cause of this skin condition is unknown, it tends to run in families and can be aggravated by weather conditions, emotional stress and infrequent cleansing of the scalp.
• Neurodermatitis – A chronic skin inflammation caused by a ‘scratch-itch’ cycle. The condition starts when a localized itch becomes extremely irritated when scratched. This eczema results in scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists or forearms, and tends to be more common in women than in men. Stress can worsen neurodermatitis by turning the skin thick and leathery over time.
• Stasis – A type of dermatitis that is usually related to the circulatory problem - venous insufficiency. It develops on the lower legs and generally occurs in older men and women.
• Dyshidrotic – A skin condition that develops on the palms of hands and soles of the feet. Symptoms include clear, deep blisters that itch and burn. Dyshidrotic dermatitis is usually more common during the spring and summer months.