What are the causes of eczema?
The cause of most types of eczema is not completely understood. In some types of eczema, cause is clear-cut. In case of irritant contact dermatitis, after exposure to a mild irritant such as a detergent, the child may develop rash. Another type, allergic contact dermatitis develops when an allergen (substance to which a person is allergic) touches the skin. Common allergens include poison ivy and nickel. In other type of eczema, a variety of genetic and environmental factors play a role.

What are the symptoms of eczema?
Eczema can occurs acutely. However it is a chronic problem with acute flares. It is characterized by hot, red, itchy skin affecting either no particular area or the whole body. Acute eczema presents as redness and swelling, papules, vesicles or large blisters, exudation and crusting and scaling. Chronic eczema is less vesicular, more scaly but also pigmented and thickened and more likely to develop painful blisters.