What is eczema?

Also known as: dermatitis, eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin condition (frequently found in infants but can also occur in adults), characterized by one or more areas (anywhere on the body), of itchy, red, dry (and sometimes cracked) thickened skin patches. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis which usually starts before the age of 5 years (often in infancy) and may persist through adolescence (though frequently resolves by puberty) to adulthood.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM