Eczema is a chronic condition of the skin that is related to allergies or exposure to things the skin doesn’t agree with. Eczema can affect children to adults and is made better by certain medications as well as by removing those things in the diet or environment that contribute to the onset and occurrence of eczema. There are several eczema skin symptoms you need to think about and you need to know that the symptoms vary with the type of eczema and its location on the body.

The primary eczema skin symptom is itching. The itching can be mild or it can be intense. It is worse in the folds of the skin where there is sweat and moisture build up and it is worse on very dry areas of skin, like the legs or backs of the arms.

This is where the taking of topical steroid cream or topical Benzocaine or lidocaine cream comes in handy. The topical steroid cream gradually gets rid of the itching by reducing the inflammation while the topical anesthetic creams work right away.

Another eczema skin symptom is extreme skin dryness and flakiness. The skin is red and often looks unsightly. When the lesions are scratched, they can evolve into blisters and lesions that are oozing.

Eventually, the whole thing looks thickened and crusty. Eczema can even get infected and there can occur a bloodborne infection that requires IV or oral antibiotics. This is more likely with excessive itching and in the summertime when summertime bacteria are around.

There are many different types of eczema each with their own unique eczema skin symptoms. The most common is called atopic dermatitis and it is very itchy and inflamed. It is caused by a problem with the body’s immune system. One gets exposed to specific triggers that result in rashes that can occur anywhere in the body, especially in children.

Contact eczema is a rash that occurs specifically because the body came into contact with something. Nickel allergies commonly cause contact eczema. Laundry detergents are another cause. This type of eczema tends to have milder eczema skin symptoms.

Seborrheic eczema is another type of eczema. It is of an unknown cause and occurs in individuals with oilier skin. In infants, it is also known as “cradle cap” and occurs primarily in the scalp and on the face. It can become inflamed but is not associated with much itching. It can be made worse by stress, not shampooing your hair, oily skin and certain weather conditions. There is a type of seborrheic dermatitis that is particularly common in HIV patients.

Nummular eczema has a different set of eczema skin symptoms. It is seen as multiple circular-shaped patches of red, irritated skin, and is usually located on the buttocks, arms, lower legs and back. The lesions are often crusty and scaly and they itch intensely. It is generally seen in older men but it can be seen in young adults and children as well. It is a chronic problem related to asthma, allergies and atopic dermatitis.

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