eczema

Eczema and atopic dermatitis are medical terms, sometimes used interchangeably, that describe irritation and inflammation of the skin. Eczema is characterized by symptoms including redness, swelling, itching, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, or oozing of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is a recurring condition in which people have eczematous changes in their skin associated with itching and dry skin. Often, patients with atopic dermatitis have a personal or family history of asthma and/or seasonal allergies.

There are many causes of itchy skin, some resulting from unfortunate forays into poison ivy patches, assaults from pesky mosquitoes, or a chronic skin disease such as eczema (atopic dermatitis). Despite various causes, all can produce a similar sensation – an itch. Itch is hard to define, yet most would agree it is “that which produces the desire to scratch.”