Eczema: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prognosis, & Treatment

Eczema is also known as dermatitis or contact dermatitis. Some doctors refer to it as "vesicular dermatitis". Regardless of what you call it, patents recognize it as a rash like skin problem that can be painful, itch, burn, sting, or just feel like bumpy dry skin. Most all patients agree it is embarrassing, which can be a greater concern than the physical symptoms.

Symptoms of Eczema can range from transient redness to extensive swelling with bullae (clear fluid filled, thin walled, blisters measuring 3/16^th of an inch wide or more), pruritus (itching), and vesiculation (blistering). The blisters may rupture, ooze, and crust over. With time the area of inflammation subsides and becomes dry and flakey. Lichenification (thickening of the skin) caused by scratching the area may also take place.

Most physicians readily diagnose eczema. Eczema is generally considered a type 4 delayed hypersensitivity condition. This basically means that eczema is produced by an allergen or a chemical sensitivity. Occasionally photo-allergic (light / sun) sensitivities are found and are likely to have a co-cause like suntan lotion or chlorine. Patch testing using contact allergens (substances that produce an allergic reaction) can help determine the cause of flare ups and confirm a diagnosis. Patient history and knowing the site of the original blistering or redness is an important clue as to possible cause / sensitivity.