What is Eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition often considered to be a subset of dermatitis. Eczema consists of areas of dry, rough, red, itchy skin. Eczema results in skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. The most common symptom that people complain about is the itch that is a side effect of eczema. It's sometimes called the 'itch that rashes', meaning that once you start scratching, you develop a rash.

Eczema is considered to be an inflammation of the top layers of the skin. Eczema can affect any part of the body, and is associated with an allergic reaction to an allergen. Eczema typically occurs in people with a family history of allergies, hay fever or asthma.

Eczema will typically worsen after exposure to the allergen.