Eczema is a skin disorder that affects as many as ten to twenty percent of the world’s population. It causes the skin to turn red and itch, and creates flaky patches of skin.

It occurs because of environmental irritants or other physical circumstances that cause an inflammation of the skin. As a matter of fact, no one is immune from eczema, though a family history of the condition will increase the odds of suffering from it.

Presently there is no cure, though it can be treated so effectively that relief will be immediate. Disease and infection protection is the main function of the skin. Eczema results when this function becomes compromised due to oversensitive irritants, also known as external triggers.

Eczema is also known to affect infants as well as children and of course adults too can be affected by this kind of skin condition. However, in the case of infants, the disease is noticed on their cheeks, forehead as well as forearms, neck, scalp and even on the legs. In other cases, there will be patches that will turn red in colour and which will itch a lot as well and these patches are known to develop on the neck, face, inside of one’s elbows, ankles as well as on the knees.

There are several different forms of eczema that can develop depending on the type and nature of the irritant. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Patients with this type of eczema are also at risk for developing food allergies, asthma and hay fever.

Occupational eczema occurs when a person has allergic reactions due to the nature of the environment at their workplace. Another type of eczema is nummular eczema. This form appears as blotches on the skin and is worsened by clothing that fits tightly to the skin, thus causing an irritation.

Though no cures for eczema have been found, it can nevertheless still be treated by changing one’s lifestyle. In addition, by also keeping the skin continuously moist, you can avert an attack of this disease.