Eczema may refer to several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is a chronic condition, but it is not contagious. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be caused by a combination of other diseases, irritating substances, allergies or genetics. Eczema may affect any area of the skin, but is commonly found on the arms and legs.
The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, a condition that makes the skin dry and itchy. Atopic dermatitis usually begins during infancy or childhood, but it can strike people at any age. It often affects people who also have:
- asthma or hay fever
- a family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever
- defects in the skin barrier, allowing moisture out and germs in
Another form of eczema is contact dermatitis. There are two types of contact dermatitis:
- Irritant contact dermatitis – may develop after touching a strong irritant one time or by coming into contact with the irritating substance repeatedly
- Allergic contact dermatitis – may develop after a person touches an allergy-triggering substance
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