Eczema is a significant skin disease that arises for many different reasons, presents with signs such as redness, swelling and itching of the skin, and is often brought on by psychological factors. The signs of eczema can appear anywhere on the body. Eczema can occur in different stages. In the early stage it may appear on the skin as weeping, small fluid-filled blisters. Over time the weeping sores start to dry. In the late stage it takes the form of cracking or crusting of the skin. Itching accompanies the disease at every stage of eczema.

Eczema is a term used to describe all kinds of red, fluid-filled blisters, weeping, and brownish, thickened skin rashes. Examples include dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and nummular dermatitis.

Eczema is a bothersome and unsightly skin disease, but it is not dangerous and can be controlled with simple treatment. Eczema is very common in the population and has many subtypes. The disease, called dermatitis in medicine, is a skin disease commonly seen in children. Between 10% and 20% of patients attending dermatology clinics suffer from this disease. It has been found that one in every twelve people has eczema at some point in their life. As well as being itchy and uncomfortable, eczema also causes an unsightly appearance because it occurs on exposed areas such as the hands, arms and face.

What Causes Eczema?
Eczema usually arises from allergy, but emotional distress can also lead to eczema. Sometimes eczema appears for no apparent reason. The most common type of eczema is allergic in origin. Called "atopic dermatitis" in medical terminology, this disease is mostly seen in people with asthma and hay fever.

Environmental factors are also among the most important causes of eczema. Eczema can arise from substances that come into contact with the skin. Chemicals, dyes, cosmetic products and cleaning products can cause eczema. Eczema can also develop due to genetic factors. Stress and some psychological illnesses can also lead to eczema.

Is eczema contagious?
Eczema is not a contagious disease; it is mostly an allergic reaction, but for various reasons it can spread rapidly to different parts of the body, or the disease may recur after healing.

How Is Eczema Treated?
Treatment of atopic eczema should be in two stages. The first stage is treatment of active eczema. At this stage it should be treated according to the appearance, severity and extent of the eczema. The necessary medicines for itching should be given. The second stage of treatment should be preventive. Children with atopic eczema have dry skin. Special barrier lotions and creams that moisturise the skin and form a protective layer should be used. Bath water should be lukewarm, and washing should be done with special moisturising cleansers. Harsh scrubbing or exfoliating mitts are not recommended in the bath. Protective measures should be taken against the identified allergen. Rooms of children with allergies should not have curtains, net curtains or carpets. There should be no items that collect dust. The house should be cleaned often. The bed should not have a wool mattress or wool duvet. In winter, children should not wear woollen clothes in direct contact with their skin.