IT is painful, distracting and can irritate to the point of despair.
One in 12 adults are forced to endure the misery of eczema - and in kids the condition is even more common, affecting one in five youngsters. Here's all you need to know.
3
One in 12 adults suffer eczema, while one in five kids are forced to endure the painful conditionCredit: Getty Images
What are eczema and dermatitis?
Also known as dermatitis, eczema is a common dry skin condition.
Though common it is rare for two sufferers to experience the same symptoms and discomfort. It is a highly varied condition and comes in many forms.
Despite the fact it causes often unbearable itching, the condition is not contagious, and so cannot be caught from someone suffering a flare-up.
What are the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis?
In mild cases, a sufferer's skin is dry, scaly, red and itchy.
But, in more severe cases there can be weeping, crusting and bleeding sores as a result.
The constant compulsion to itch can leave the skin split and bleeding and also leaves it open to infection.
3
Skin is made up of a thin outer layer, an elastic middle layer, and a fatty layer at the deepest level. Each layer contains skin cells, water and fats – all of which help maintain and protect the skin but in eczema sufferers the skin fails to do thisCredit: Getty Images
Who is at risk from eczema and dermatitis ?
Eczema affects people of all ages, but is typically diagnosed in children.
Many young sufferers will grow out of their condition as they get older.
But, in many cases, flare ups in adulthood end up coming back to haunt people.
In the UK, one in five children are diagnosed with eczema, while one in 12 adults live with the condition.
What causes eczema and dermatitis?
Atopic eczema is a genetic condition, which means it is inherited.
It is caused by the interaction of a number of genetic and environmental factors.
In most cases there is a family history of the condition, or of other "atopic" conditions, which include asthma or hayfever.
Dry skin is more liable to crack and as a result infections, bugs and germs can get into the cracks.
Many everyday products can aggravate the condition, as some soaps and cleaning products remove oil from a person's skin.
3
Keeping the skin moisturised using emollients – or medical moisturisers – is the key to managing all forms of the condition. In some cases, doctors will prescribe topical steroids to bring aggressive flare ups under controlCredit: Getty Images
How does the skin differ when you have eczema?
The skin is the body's largest organ, providing a strong and effective barrier to protect the body from infections and irritation.
Skin is made up of a thin outer layer, an elastic middle layer, and a fatty layer at the deepest level.
Each layer contains skin cells, water and fats - all of which help maintain and protect the skin.
Healthy skin is moisturised by fats, oils and plumped up with adequate water levels.
In eczema sufferers, the skin fails to produce the necessary levels of fats and oils, and it is less able to retain water.
The result is, the body's protective layer, isn't as good as it could be.
