Eczema

Eczema is common in babies and children but can develop at any age. You might notice that your skin itches intensely at first, with a rash appearing later. Other specific symptoms include:

• Rashes that ooze or get crusty with repetitive itching
• Burning outbreaks in sensitive areas, like the eyelids
• Various lesions that might be round, coin-shaped, pustular and fluid filled or red bumps
• “Hot” spots in the folds of the elbow and knee, torso, and face
• Dry, sensitive skin with painful cracks
• Dark, leathery, or scaly patches of skin

The symptoms of eczema can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Eczema is not contagious, so you can’t catch it from coming into contact with someone who has it. It’s most likely a genetic condition aggravated by specific triggers, including:

• Excessive washing of the skin with harsh soaps or detergents
• Contact with abrasive chemicals or particular ingredients in lotions
• Sweating
• Rough wool clothing
• Food allergies
• Certain bacteria

One of the most common types of eczema is atopic dermatitis, a red and itchy rash that usually shows on your arms, legs, or cheeks as a result of an overactive immune system. Other types of eczema include:

• Contact dermatitis, resulting from touching a trigger, such as soap or clothing
• Dyshidrotic eczema, which appears as blisters on the hands and soles of the feet
• Nummular eczema characterized by coin-shaped, itchy lesions on the skin
• Seborrheic dermatitis that appears in places with oil-producing glands such as the nose and scalp
• Stasis dermatitis that appears on the legs on the skin over varicose veins