Eczema (Print Version)

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Eczema

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eczema.html

Also called: Also called: Dermatitis

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. It is not dangerous, but most types cause red, swollen and itchy skin. Factors that can cause eczema include other diseases, irritating substances, allergies and your genetic makeup. Eczema is not contagious.

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It is an allergic condition that makes your skin dry and itchy. It is most common in babies and children.

Eczema cannot be cured, but you can prevent some types of eczema by avoiding irritants, stress and the things you are allergic to.

Start Here

Eczema: Tips on How to Care for Your Skin(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/skin/disorders/176.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/skin/disorders/176.printerview.html
What Is Atopic Dermatitis?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/atopic_dermatitis_ff.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/Informacion_de_Salud/Dermatitis_atopica/default.asp

Overviews

All about Atopic Dermatitis(National Eczema Association for Science and Education) - http://www.nationaleczema.org/lwe/aboutad.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationaleczema.org/lwe/spanishad.html
Atopic Dermatitis(National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/default.asp
What Is Eczema?(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/whatis.html

Latest News

"Good" Bacteria Unlikely to Curb Eczema(10/13/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70340.html
Fish in Children's Diet Cuts Eczema Risk(09/25/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69700.html

Treatment

Eczema Treatment(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/treatment.html
Medications and Other Therapies Used to Treat Eczema(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/medications.html
Moisturizing and Cleansing Key to Treating Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/moisturizing_cleansing.html
Treating Eczema with Steroids(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/steroids.html

Disease Management

Around the Home(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/around_the_home.html
Daily Skin Care Essential to Control Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/daily_care.html
Eczema: Tips on How to Care for Your Skin(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/skin/disorders/176.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/skin/disorders/176.printerview.html
Preventing Flare-Ups(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/preventing.html
Stress Reduction Techniques(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/stress_reduction.html

Specific Conditions

Keratosis Pilaris(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/keratosis-pilaris/DS00769/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Nummular Eczema(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology) - http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/nummular_eczema.html
Types of Eczema(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/types.html

Related Issues

Atopic Dermatitis: Possible Complications(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/complications.html
Eczema: Frequently Asked Questions(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/FAQ.html
Infection Common in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/infection.html
Smallpox Vaccine and Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema(National Eczema Association for Science and Education) - http://www.nationaleczema.org/smallpox/faq.html
Truth about "Other" Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/update2.html
Winter Skin Care Guidelines(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/winterizing_tips.html

Pictures & Photographs

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Adults(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/atopicDermatitisEczema.htm
Nummular Dermatitis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/nummularDermatitis.htm

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Dermatitis(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Dermatitis%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Dermatitis, Atopic(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Dermatitis,+Atopic%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Eczema(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Eczema%22

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Association between paracetamol use in infancy and childhood, and risk... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18805332&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Analysis of the individual and aggregate genetic contributions of previously... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18774391&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Low dose methotrexate therapy is effective in late-onset atopic dermatitis... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18669134&tool=MedlinePlus
Eczema -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=eczema[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+systematic[sb]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+review[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Dictionaries/Glossaries

EczemaNet: Glossary(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/glossary.html

Directories

Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/findaderm/
Find an Allergist: Search(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/physref/
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/physref/?espanol=yes

Organizations

American Academy of Dermatology - http://www.aad.org/
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/

Children

Eczema(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/eczema_atopic_dermatitis.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/eczema_atopic_dermatitis_esp.html
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Children(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/child/atopicDermatitisEczema.htm
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Infants(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/infant/atopicDermatitisEczema.htm
Eek! It's Eczema!(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/skin/eczema.html
Not Every Child with Atopic Dermatitis Needs Allergy Testing(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/allergy_testing.html

Teenagers

All about Eczema(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/allergies_immune/eczema.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/eczema_esp.html

Women

Treating Eczema During Pregnancy(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/eczema_during_pregnancy.html

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

Rashes - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rashes.html
Skin, Hair and Nails - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skinhairandnails.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Eczema is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/

Date last updated: October 14 2008

Topic last reviewed: September 14 2008