Eczema and Dermatitis

Eczema or dermatitis is a type of allergic skin condition that causes dryness, scaling and redness. Itching, sometimes intense, is the hallmarks symptom. With time, the lesions tend to flake and if
bacterial or viral infection is introduced by scratching, the affected lesions begin to ooze.

Although eczema may look different from person to person, it is most often characterized by dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin. Eczema is sometimes referred to as "the itch that rashes", since the itch, when scratched, results in the appearance of the rash.

Eczema can occur on any part of the body. However, in infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. In children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees and ankles. Chronic scratching causes the skin to take on a leathery texture because the skin has thickened.