Eczema : What Are Eczema Symptoms

Eczema is a terrible condition for those that suffer from it and to make matters worse medical science still doesn't fully understand what triggers the condition; the genetic link remains to be proved. Irrespective of the cause, sufferers all have one thing in common; dry, itchy red skin. In serious cases the skin becomes blistered with scabs forming around the affected area.

Whilst a number of forms exist, the most common is the form of atopic eczema; like all the other types, this one is characterized by itching as well. Atopic eczema brings with increased itching compare to other forms but is relieved when the sufferer scratches; unfortunately this just makes the condition worse. Another effect is the skin becomes hypersensitive to certain products which just make the condition worse; as a result, products like detergents, soaps and often cosmetics just inflame the condition.

The situation in small children doesn't look as severe at first as the patchy red skin is not on the skins surface but below it. There are occasions where a person with eczema can have a rash but it is not itchy; in these situations it is not the disorder causing the problem as itching is the one consistent factor with the condition. However, if the itching has been somehow improved by eczema treatment but the rash has not, then the rash may not be related to the itch.

The diagnosis of the skin disorder is not that simple because there are other medical conditions which cause itchy skin. Whilst Eczema and a rash always coexist at the same time, the reason the rash itches is still a mystery. The blood flow in the area affected is the reason the rash looks so red and this can be made worse when the same area or areas are scratched by the sufferer.

With eczema, the skin can become inflamed for many reasons because it is already highly sensitive; one area that causes concern is where there is a bacterial infection which can easily be the result of scratching sensitive skin. Most blisters seen as part of the symptoms are quite small but large blisters can also occur; a bacterial infection or a condition of your particular skin type many be the cause of this. These blisters may contain small amounts of fluid and in some cases a pus; sufferers are advised never to burst them and create further infection in an already highly sensitive area.