The skin disorder referred to as eczema is identified by an inflammation of the skin, often accompanied by discoloration, swelling, and even blistering and bacterial infection in more severe cases. Although outbreaks of eczema can spread to many areas of the body, it most often starts around joints such as knees, elbows, and the knuckles of the hands.

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.