Eczema

Also called: Dermatitis
Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. It is not dangerous, but most types cause red, swollen and itchy skin. Factors that can cause eczema include other diseases, irritating substances, allergies and your genetic makeup. Eczema is not contagious.
The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It is an allergic condition that makes your skin dry and itchy. It is most common in babies and children.
Eczema cannot be cured, but you can prevent some types of eczema by avoiding irritants, stress and the things you are allergic to.
Start Here
Eczema: Tips on How to Care for Your Skin(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
What Is Atopic Dermatitis?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Also available in Spanish
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Overviews
All about Atopic Dermatitis(National Eczema Association for Science and Education)
Also available in Spanish
Atopic Dermatitis(National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
What Is Eczema?(American Academy of Dermatology)
Latest News
Emerging Therapies Could Help Ease the Chronic Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis for Adults and Children(03/05/2009, American Academy of Dermatology)
Treatment
Eczema Treatment(American Academy of Dermatology)
Medications and Other Therapies Used to Treat Eczema(American Academy of Dermatology)
Moisturizing and Cleansing Key to Treating Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology)
Treating Eczema with Steroids(American Academy of Dermatology)
Alternative Therapy
Truth about "Other" Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Disease Management
Around the Home(American Academy of Dermatology)
Daily Skin Care Essential to Control Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology)
Preventing Flare-Ups(American Academy of Dermatology)
Stress Reduction Techniques(American Academy of Dermatology)
Winter Skin Care Guidelines(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Specific Conditions
Keratosis Pilaris(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Nummular Eczema(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
Types of Eczema(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Related Issues
Atopic Dermatitis: Possible Complications(American Academy of Dermatology)
Eczema: Frequently Asked Questions(American Academy of Dermatology)
Infection Common in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology)
Smallpox Vaccine and Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema(National Eczema Association for Science and Education) Return to top
Pictures & Photographs
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Adults(Logical Images)
Nummular Dermatitis(Logical Images) Return to top
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Dermatitis(National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Dermatitis, Atopic(National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Eczema(National Institutes of Health) Return to top
Research
Balance Is the Key to Production of Healthy Skin(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: Eczema genetics: current state of knowledge and future goals.
Article: Eczema and allergy: how useful is allergy testing?
Article: Low-cobalt diet for dyshidrotic eczema patients.
Eczema -- see more articles Return to top
Dictionaries/Glossaries
EczemaNet: Glossary(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Directories
Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology)
Find an Allergist: Search(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Organizations
American Academy of Dermatology
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Children
Eczema(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Children(Logical Images)
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Infants(Logical Images)
Eek! It's Eczema!(Nemours Foundation)
Not Every Child with Atopic Dermatitis Needs Allergy Testing(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Teenagers
All about Eczema(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Women
Treating Eczema During Pregnancy(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
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Date last updated: 03 April 2009 Topic last reviewed: 26 March 2009