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Eczema
Background
Eczema is a non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin. The term 'eczema' comes from the Greek word ekzein meaning 'to boil over.' This makes sense when one considers the most common features of eczema are very itchy, dry, red skin. The itching and scratching, commonly known as the 'itch-scratch-itch cycle', are seen as the most distressing part of eczema, causing disturbed sleep for the person with eczema and also their families and carers.
There are various types of eczema including atopic, contact, seborrhoeic and varicose. The most common form of the condition is atopic eczema, which affects fifteen to twenty per cent of school children and one to two per cent of adults in the UK. Atopic eczema is often associated with asthma and hay fever. In most cases, the eczema lessens with age. Factors known to make the condition worse are woollen clothing, soaps, skin infections, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, sweating, stress and excessive heat. Sometimes certain foods may aggravate eczema. These include cow's milk, eggs and nuts. Professional advice should be taken before altering a child's diet.
Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis 
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