Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Blisters may sometimes occur. Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with an often inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.
Symptoms can vary from a mild rash that disappears quite quickly to a more severe condition that’s present for a long time. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate itching which, if left untreated, can provoke or worsen the other symptoms.
What is the cause of Eczema?
The cause of atopic dermatitis and many forms of eczema is unknown but is potentially due to a dysfunction in filaggrin, a protein that maintains the membrane of skin cells. It is also thought that genetics (inheritance) and an improperly ...