Eczema Overview

Before learning about eczema, we need to know where the word has its origin from. Eczema is a derivative of Greek words, which essentially mean 'to boil over'. In simple words, eczema is an allergic condition that affects the human skin. Since it affects the dermis or skin of a person, eczema is also known as dermatitis. 'Dermatitis' also originates from the Greek word for skin, and refers to an abnormal condition of the skin.

Eczema occurs when certain materials, or triggers, as they are commonly called, cause a flare-up of the skin. When a person has eczema, his skin becomes dry, starts to itch, and turns a deep red or pink in color. The itching sensation increases in intensity and causes the skin to turn a mottled red or even pink. Eczema is not limited to any specific body parts. It can appear on any part of the body.

Eczema can affect anyone

Eczema is not limited only to adults or only to children. Anyone, be it adult, child, or infant, can have eczema. Also, since eczema affects the skin, it can appear on any part of the body. In adults as well as children, body parts susceptible to eczema are the neck, face, knees, ankles, and the inner side of the elbows. In infants, the areas susceptible to an eczema flare-up are slightly different from that of adults, and include, the forehead, legs, scalp, hands (usually the forearms), and the neck. The cheeks are also a susceptible area in the case of infants.

The positive thing about eczema is that it is not contagious; it does not usually spread from one person to another. However, on the negative side, it is not curable. Manageable, yes; but not curable.

Eczema is a Common Affliction

Eczema is a common enough affliction - more than 15 million Americans have it in some form or the other, according to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health. The numbers are high even in the case of children - anywhere between 10 to 20 percent of American children have eczema in some form. However, in the case of children, the eczema condition can improve with age, and in almost half of these children the eczema may improve or even be gone the time they are 15. However, in the remaining half, the eczema condition persists for the rest of the child's life, even as an adult. Also, even though in some children the eczema can disappear over time, there is a possibility of it recurring when they are adults.

Over the past few years, the number of people having eczema has increased rather drastically, anywhere between two to five times the earlier numbers. Though no immediate cause has been determined, it is very possible that an increase in the number of allergens and pollutants in the atmosphere today has brought about this spurt in the number of people with eczema.

Types of Eczema >>