Eczema

Eczema is a condition in which the skin barrier is weaker. This means the skin is dry as it retains less moisture and is more susceptible to irritation and infection. It is an extremely common condition – approximately 1 in 5 children and almost 1 in 10 adults suffer from eczema.

The severity varies significantly with time and from person to person. There are several different types of eczema, so it is a highly individual condition.

Eczema symptoms 

In mild cases, the skin is dry, scaly, red and itchy. In more severe eczema cases, there may be weeping, crusting, and bleeding. Scratching causes the skin to split and bleed and leaves it open to infection. 

What are the trigger symptoms for the skin condition? 

Although eczema can flare up for no clear reason, you may notice certain triggers that make the symptoms worse. Common triggers may include: 

• Infections caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus; 
• Allergens, such as pollen, house dust mites, mould or pet dander (fur or hair); 
• Irritants, such as detergents, soaps or shampoo;
• Rough clothing fabrics, such as wool;
• Perspiring;
• Stressful periods;
• For women, changes in hormone levels, for example, at different times in your menstrual cycle or if you’re pregnant.