What is Eczema? Eczema is a skin condition, which is also referred to as dermatitis. This condition is very common among babies and young children. However, eczema can also affect adults. Those who suffer from eczema experience severe itchiness in the affected area. This itchiness is often so intense that the affected person is unable to control the urge to scratch the area. Constant scratching of the itchy area leads to soreness and bleeding. Such open wounds often become infected and inflamed as well. In some cases, mild eczema persists throughout the person's life. Such eczema often worsens if the person develops conditions such as hay fever or asthma. It is important to monitor this condition so as to prevent it from becoming very severe. Eczema can be treated effectively by making use of various topical remedies. These remedies include herbs and common household remedies. It is important to keep the affected areas clean and dry so as to prevent complications that could arise due to secondary infections. Symptoms of Eczema Discoloured Patches on the Skin

The affected portions of the skin often become discoloured. In most cases, they become dark brown or red in colour. Eczema often develops on the arms or on the areas behind the knees. These areas often become much darker than the normal skin of the person. Such discoloured patches make the skin look rather unsightly.

Itching is one of the earliest symptoms of eczema. The affected area of the skin becomes extremely itchy and this causes the affected person to suffer from a severe urge to scratch the area. In most cases, this urge is so intense that the patient gives in and scratches the area repeatedly, as a result of which, bleeding takes place. The Mayo Clinic also states the same fact. In most cases, the symptom of itchiness worsens at night and this disturbs the sleep of the patient as well.

The affected portions of the skin often develop numerous bumps, which are red in colour. These bumps are very tiny and often start oozing. They secrete a sticky fluid, which tends to make the affected skin even itchier than before. It is important to keep such skin dry so as to prevent the occurrence of fungal or bacterial infections. When these bumps start drying, they form a crust-like layer on the skin and this crust eventually falls off.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases states that people who have a family history of hay fever or asthma are more likely to suffer from eczema than those who do not have a family history of such problems. This proves that such conditions are hereditary. There is a protein, which is called cytokine. This protein is responsible for the proper functioning of the immune system. When the body is deficient in this protein, the immune system responds to every stimuli and this often triggers outbreaks of eczema.

It has been stated by the 'National Eczema Association for Science and Education' that people who are living in cities are more likely to develop eczema than those who live in rural areas. This is because the urban areas are much more polluted than the rural areas and so the skin can react to the pollutants that are present in city air.

Skin irritations often trigger certain types of eczema. In some cases, the skin of the patient does not react immediately to the allergen. It can take up to several months or even a year for such reactions to result in eczema. This has been stated by the American Academy of Dermatology. Common skin irritants include battery acid, nickel and yeast.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. Children are very prone to suffering from this condition. However, adults can also develop atopic dermatitis, especially if they have a family history of hay fever or asthma. Atopic dermatitis causes the patient to develop red rashes on certain portions of the skin. These rashes are extremely itchy and often secrete a sticky fluid. In the later stages of eczema, the affected portions of skin become thick and dry.

Contact dermatitis is a condition, which develops when the skin of the person reacts to certain allergens. Common allergens include detergents and pollutants. The affected skin becomes deep red in colour and swells up as well. Oozing is also a common symptom of contact dermatitis. The affected individual must try to avoid contact with the allergen, in the future.

Such cases of eczema are common in extreme climatic conditions. Very cold weather or very dry weather can cause a person to have an outbreak of seborrheic dermatitis. In most cases, seborrheic dermatitis first affects the scalp of the person and then spreads to the hands and face. The affected portions of skin become extremely itchy. They often become swollen as well and the patient experiences severe burning in the area.

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