What is Eczema?

Eczema (dermatitis) itself is not a specific skin condition; it is a general term for inflamed or irritated skin. There are quite a few different forms of eczema but they all have one thing in common: itching. If you have a skin rash that is extremely itchy, chances are, you've got eczema.

Eczema can be annoying and even unsightly, but it isn't contagious, so you don't have to worry about giving it to someone else. And while it is often a chronic condition, there are lots of things you can do to take care of your skin and avoid flare-ups. Most importantly, there are many effective treatments for eczema.

Common Forms of Eczema

Atopic Dermatitis - This is probably the most common form of eczema and is sometimes called "the itch that rashes" because scratching is really what creates the redness of the rash. Atopic dermatitis usually appears on the face and neck, as well as the insides of the knees, ankles and elbows. It causes red, extremely dry-looking skin patches that may crack and bleed.

Dyshidrotic Eczema - Also known as "dyshidrotic dermatitis", "hand eczema" and "vesicular eczema", this condition causes itchy blisters and peeling skin on the palms and soles of the feet. In severe cases, fingers and toes may crack and bleed. While it can be disabling, dyshidrotic eczema usually goes away on its own, even without treatment, after two or three weeks.

Neurodermatitis - Also known as "lichen simplex chronicus", this form of eczema develops when the skin's nerve endings become irritated and trigger an itching cycle, which causes the person to scratch, which in turn causes further itching. Constant, long-term scratching causes thick, dark patches on the skin.

Nummular Eczema - Also known as "nummular eczematous dermatitis" and "discoid eczema", this form of eczema first appears as clusters of small, red spots, which grow into coin or disc-shaped, red lesions or blisters. It usually appears on the legs, but can also appear on the arms, hands, feet and torso. Nummular eczema often appears after the skin has been injured by a cut, burn or insect bite.

Seborrheic Dermatitis - Called "cradle cap" in infants and " dandruff " in adults, this form of eczema tends to appear primarily on the scalp, although it may spread to the ears, neck and face. With seborrheic dermatitis , the scalp looks oily or waxy and develops thick, yellowish scales that dry up and flake off, revealing red skin underneath.

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