Eczema is due to a hypersensitivity reaction (similar to an allergy) in the skin, which leads to long-term inflammation. The inflammation causes the skin to become itchy and scaly. Long-term irritation and scratching can cause the skin to thicken and an have a leather-like texture.
Eczema is most common in infants, and at least half of those cases clear by age 3. In adults, it is generally a long-term or recurring condition. Eczema tends to run in families.
People with eczema often have a family history of allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, or eczema.
In children younger than age 2, skin lesions begin on the cheeks, elbows, or knees
In adults, the rash is more commonly seen on the inside of the knees and elbows
Raw areas of the skin from scratching
Skin coloring changes -- more or less coloring than the normal skin tone (See: Skin bnormally dark or light)
Skin redness or inflammation around the blisters
Signs and tests
Diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin and on personal and family history. The health care provider should examine the lesions to rule out other possible causes. A skin lesion biopsy may be performed, but is not always required to make the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment may vary depending on the appearance (stage) of the lesions -- acute "weeping" lesions, dry scaly lesions, or chronic dry, thickened lesions are each treated differently.
Avoid anything that makes the symptoms worse. This may include food allergens and irritants such as wool and lanolin.
Acne (12 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acne is a skin condition characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples or "zits." Reviewer: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Date: 10/17/2007
Contact dermatitis (11 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritating substance. Reviewer: Michael S. Lehrer, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
Psoriasis (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most persons with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales. See also: Guttate psoriasis Reviewer: Shlomit Halachmi, MD, PhD, Private Practice Specializing in Dermatology, Somerville, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/27/2006
Rosacea (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It may appear as redness, prominent spider-like blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne. Reviewer: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
Itching (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area. Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/21/2006
Scabies (6 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by a species of mite that is very small. Reviewer: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/17/2006
Teenagers and acne medicine (9 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information) Reviewer: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 12/18/2006
Athlete's foot (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis. Athlete's foot may last for a short or long time and may come back after treatment. Reviewer: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/12/2007
Stasis dermatitis and ulcers (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Stasis dermatitis is a skin condition due to the build up of fluid (swelling) under the skin. Reviewer: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/16/2006
Rashes (15 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Rashes involve changes in the color or texture of your skin. Reviewer: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/18/2007
Diaper dermatitis - irritant-induced (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Irritant-induced diaper dermatitis is a diaper rash caused by chemical irritants instead of bacterial or yeast (candida) infection. Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/15/2007
Poison ivy - oak - sumac (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Poison ivy, oak, or sumac poisoning is an allergic reaction that results from touching the sap of these plants. The sap may be on the plant, in the ashes of burned plants, on an animal, or on other objects that came in contact with the plant, such as clothing, garden tools, and sports equipment. Small amounts of sap can remain under a person's fingernails for several days unless it is deliberately removed with very good cleaning. Reviewer: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 01/17/2007
Actinic keratosis (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin growth usually caused by sun exposure. Reviewer: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/17/2006
Erysipelas (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Erysipelas is a type of cellulitis (skin infection) generally caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/09/2006
Acrodermatitis (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acrodermatitis is a childhood skin condition that may be accompanied by mild symptoms of fever and malaise. It may also be associated with hepatitis B and other viral infections. Reviewer: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/12/2007
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