Eczema overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.
Overview
Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin.
The term "eczema" is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration are sometimes due to healed lesions, although scarring is rare.
Historical Perspective
Over the years, dermatological conditions have become manifested in individuals. It was in the earlier part of the 20th century when the term atopic dermatitis was coined. The evolution of concepts from the standpoint of historical perspectives was observed, wherein significant insights as to the nature of the disease were derived.
Classification
Eczema can be classified in different forms. It could be based on location (hand eczema), specific appearance (discoid), or etiology (varicose eczema). A simplified nomenclature of allergy-related diseases was released by the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in 2001.
Pathophysiology
There are two main theories on the existence of atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema. These are the inside-out theory, and the outside-in hypothesis.
Causes
There are several possible causes of eczema, majority of which are genetic in origin. Adverse drug effects also manifest as eczema.
Differentiating Eczema from other Diseases
Several medical conditions can mimic eczema, with overlapping features. These conditions could be due to an inflammatory, infectious, immunodeficiency, or a nutritional deficiency problem. It is important to differentiate one from another to render proper medical treatment.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Eczema has been noted to have affected 1-3% of the adult population and 15-20% of the children population worldwide. In the United States, the prevalence is 10.7% in children and 7.2% in adults. Eczema is more commonly observed in males, particularly in those with severe cases, and has a late-onset.