eczema

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common type of eczema, often called “the itch that rashes.” The itch can be overwhelmingly intense, especially in children, who are its primary sufferers. The disease usually begins in childhood – 90% of initial cases of the condition develop before age of 5 years, with 65% developing the condition during their first year.

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.”