Eczema is a skin disorder that affects as many as ten to twenty percent of the world's population. It causes the skin to turn red and itch, and creates flaky patches of skin.

The reason why it occurs is because the skin becomes inflamed due to irritants present in the environment or because of other physical conditions. In fact, eczema can strike each and every one of us, though those with a prior family history of it will be more likely to suffer from this disease than others.

For now, a cure for eczema remains unknown, however treatment is readily available to lessen the effects of it. The purpose of having skin on your body is to protect you from infections and diseases. When the skin is having trouble performing this function due to external triggers, the reaction can result in eczema.

Eczema can not only affect adults, but infants and children as well. In infants, the disease can be recognized on their cheeks, forehead, forearms, neck, and scalp and even on the legs. In some cases it will appear as itchy red patches on the neck, face, inside portion of the elbows, ankles, and knees.

There are also different forms of eczema and how it actually develops depends to a great deal on the form as well as nature of the irritant. One of the commonest forms of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis which will cause the patient to also risk developing food allergies and asthma as well as come down with hay fever.

Occupational eczema occurs when a person has allergic reactions due to the nature of the environment at their workplace. Another type of eczema is nummular eczema. This form appears as blotches on the skin and is worsened by clothing that fits tightly to the skin, thus causing an irritation.

Though no cures for eczema have been found, it can nevertheless still be treated by changing one's lifestyle. In addition, by also keeping the skin continuously moist, you can avert an attack of this disease.