Eczema more commonly called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is a chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, dry and may begin to crack. In most cases eczema affects infants, and in some instances it will continue on throughout their adulthood. There have been recorded cases of infants with eczema that has gone away, just to reappear later in the child’s adult life.

In Western Europe studies have shown that approximately 30% of all skin related visits to the doctor resulted in a diagnosis of atopic eczema. This skin condition knows no boundaries. It will attack men, women, children, and even those of various ethnic backgrounds. In a recent survey of doctors in Western Europe, North America and Australia it was discovered that the number of individuals being diagnosed has grown.

Scottish researchers published a study that revealed children with severe eczema feel their life is somewhat impaired to the same extent as other chronic illnesses. It is also a proven fact that young children who get atopic eczema tend to develop asthma months or even years later. In the medical genre this condition is known as, “The Atopic March.”

For all that is known about eczema there are still some things that we do not know. For example the exact cause of this skin condition is still unknown. Scientists best guess is that it results from an interaction of factors including personal and family genetics, immune response and environmental factors. Stress and other emotional discord may make eczema worse, but they haven’t been proven to actually cause the condition.

If by chance both parents have eczema or other disorders such as asthma or hey fever, chances are that their children will develop it. In addition, approximately 75% of children with eczema also develop hay fever or asthma.

Do to the lack of medical advancement in this area, more and more individuals that are suffering from this skin condition have started seeking natural cures and home remedies.

I hope you have found this article to be informative and that it has encouraged you to further your quest for knowledge on this skin condition.