Eczema is a condition that makes your skin dry, itchy, and bumpy. It weakens the skin’s natural protection, which helps keep your skin moist and guards your body from things like germs and irritants.
Eczema is a type of dermatitis, which is a group of skin conditions that cause inflammation.
There are several types of eczema, and each has its own set of triggers that can affect the skin’s barrier.
These types include:
Atopic dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis.
Dyshidrotic eczema.
Neurodermatitis.
Nummular eczema.
Seborrheic dermatitis.
It’s possible to have more than one type of eczema at the same time.
Eczema can happen to anyone, at any age.
Often, symptoms start in childhood and can continue into adulthood. You may be more likely to have eczema if someone in your family has eczema, allergies, hay fever, or asthma. You can also check Eczema Clinic in Singapore for more information.
Eczema is very common, affecting more than 31 million people in the United States.
Infants are especially likely to have eczema, with 10% to 20% of babies being affected. However, about half of these children outgrow eczema or see a big improvement as they get older.
Eczema usually starts with itching, dry skin, and a rash.
These signs mean you’ve been exposed to a trigger in your environment that caused your symptoms to begin or become worse. Finding out what triggers your eczema and avoiding them can help reduce the chance of future flare-ups.
Symptoms of eczema include:
Dry skin.
Itchy skin.
Red or inflamed skin.
Small bumps on the skin.
Thick, leathery skin patches.
Flaky, scaly, or crusty skin.
Swelling.
The appearance of an eczema rash can vary from person to person.
On darker skin, the rash may look purple, brown, or gray. On lighter skin, the rash may be pink, red, or purple.
Eczema symptoms can appear anywhere on the body.
The most common areas where eczema shows up are:
Hands.
Neck.
Elbows.
Ankles.
Knees.
Feet.
Face, especially around the cheeks.
Inside and around the ears.
Lips.
Though less common, eczema can also appear on:
Nipples.
Breasts.
The folds of skin near the vagina (vulva).
The penis.
Eczema itself doesn’t usually cause pain.
However, scratching the skin can break the surface and lead to a sore, which might be painful. Some types of eczema, like contact dermatitis, can cause a burning feeling and discomfort.