The Term 'Eczema' Encompasses Many Skin Responses

The term 'eczema' covers a wide range of skin problems, which trouble people at different stages in their lives. It occurs in many different ways, such as in an elderly person with dry red skin around the ankles, a child with weeping red areas on the wrists, or someone whose eyelids have become itchy, red, dry, and puffy in reaction to make-up.

Itching occurs with nearly all forms of eczema, varying from mild irritation to a hopelessly distracting and distressing symptom that makes life miserable for the sufferer and others involved.

Redness is usually present in eczema and this redness can fluctuate, appearing bright red at some times of the day while at others it is barely noticeable. The redness is usually most obvious when you are hot, have just exercised, or after a hot bath.

Eczema is usually dry, making your skin feel rough, scaly, and sometimes thickened. Dryness reduces the protective quality of the skin, making it less effective at protecting against heat, cold, fluid loss, and bacterial infection.

In severe eczema, or after a prolonged period of scratching, the skin's protective character can be reduced further and the skin becomes wet with colorless fluid that has oozed from the tissues, sometimes mixed with blood leaking from damaged capillaries (small blood vessels). Wetness usually occurs when eczema is at its most itchy and is very likely to become infected.

Some wetness may come from small vesicles (pin-head blisters), which burst when scratched. These are most commonly found on the hands and feet, along the edges of the digits or on the palms or soles.