What is Eczema?

I first learned about eczema when I was in grade school because a classmate had a severe case of this skin condition. Jimmy's eczema was so bad that he looked like a "frosted flake" - it was as if he was sugar-coated. I don't say this in a mean-spirited fashion, but merely describing the way I saw him out of my child eyes. You could literally see white flakes on his neck, arms, and legs. His skin was very pale in color, but reddened from the irritation and itch associated with eczema. He wore baggy clothing so that the materials would be less apt to rub against his tender skin. The teacher gave the class special instructions to be careful not to touch him because doing so would likely cause him pain. Jimmy was a very nice boy, everyone liked him. But, boy did he ever look miserable.

Eczema can best be described as a non-contagious skin condition, which is characterized by hot dry itchy skin, with symptoms that often fluctuate seasonally and even over the course of the day. Eczema typically begins in early childhood. Research indicates that eczema may be genetically determined and studies show that there is often a family history of allergies, asthma, eczema or hay fever. Children who experience eczema may also suffer from asthma or hay fever as well.

Like an allergy, eczema tends to flair up when exposed to certain triggers, especially mechanical irritants, allergens, emotional stress, heat and sweating. When exposed to an offending situation, inflammation producing cells come to surface of the skin and release chemicals, leaving the skin red, pealing and thickened. Sometimes tiny blisters form, rupture, weep and crust over.
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