The Three Degrees Of Eczema

Eczema runs its course through three distinct phases: acute, sub acute, and chronic.

Symptoms associated with the acute stage of eczema include pain, heat, tenderness, and possible itching. The affected areas are characterized by extreme redness and drainage at the lesion site .

The sub acute phase of eczema includes symptoms associated with skin redness and crusting; however, there is no extreme swelling. People in the sub acute phase tend to complain about the symptom of itching more than the pain.

Individuals with lesions developed over three months are referred to as having chronic eczema. Itching is a predominant symptom in this phase as well and scratching causes the lesion to worsen.

Individuals with atopic eczema will find that their symptoms tend to worsen in the winter months due to decreased humidity in the home or office.