What is Eczema?

Eczema is a condition in which the skin is dry and itchy. The severity of eczema varies a lot. Some people just have mild discomfort, but in worse cases the skin can become broken and raw and may even bleed. There are several different types of eczema, with different causes and treatments. It is important that the type of eczema is correctly diagnosed before treatment.

Atopic Dermatitis

The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which is closely linked with asthma and hayfever. This site focuses on atopic dermatitis (AD).

What is eczema caused by?

There is no single cause of eczema, but generally people with eczema have skin that is more sensitive to certain ‘triggers’. The skin reacts against the ‘trigger’, and this causes the symptoms, which typically include itchiness, dryness, redness and inflammation.

Eczema tends to run in families and the problem occurs because of particular changes in certain genes, although the full details of these genes are still not known.

Can eczema be prevented?

If you can identify something that triggers your eczema, then you should try to avoid those triggers. However, the tendency to develop eczema is in-born and cannot be changed. However, many children grow out of eczema, and in other cases eczema suddenly becomes worse for unknown reasons. There is still much that is not known about eczema.

Are there any complications?

Because the skin can become open, there is a risk of infection to the skin.

What is the treatment for eczema?

Click here to read further information on treatment and therapies.