What is Eczema:

Rather than a specific condition, eczema is a group of  unrelated diseases that have a similar appearance. When it is new eczema, the  affected skin appears red and elevated with small blisters (vesicles) containing a clear  fluid. When the blisters break, the affected skin will weep and  ooze. In older eczema, chronic eczema, the blisters are less prominent and the skin  is thickened, elevated, and scaling. Eczema almost always is very itchy.

There are at least 11 different types of  skin conditions that produce eczema. In order to develop a rational treatment  plan, it is important to distinguish them. This is often not easy.

Almost all patients with eczema complain  of itching. Since the appearance of most types of eczema is similar, the  distribution of the eruption can be of great help in distinguishing one type  from another. For example, stasis dermatitis occurs most often on the lower leg  while atopic dermatitis occurs in the front of the elbow and behind the knee.

Mild eczema may respond to compresses  composed of tepid water followed by room air evaporation. Chronic eczema can be  improved by applying water followed by a stiff emollient like olive oil.

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