Knowra Eczema Eczema Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions marked by itchy, irritated skin and impaired skin-barrier function. Atopic dermatitis is its most common form.
Skin barrier : The outer skin defenses that limit water loss and block irritants, allergens, and microbes. Barrier weakness lets irritants enter and moisture escape, helping eczema persist.
Topical corticosteroid : A corticosteroid medication applied to the skin to reduce inflammation and itching. Topical corticosteroids are a standard treatment for inflammatory eczema flares.
Psoriasis : A chronic immune-mediated skin disease that commonly forms sharply defined, scaly plaques. Its plaques can resemble eczema, but the typical scale and plaque pattern differ.
Dermatitis : Inflammation of the skin, often causing redness, itching, swelling, or scaling. Eczema is commonly used as a name for several forms of dermatitis.
Filaggrin : A skin protein that helps organize keratin and maintain the outer barrier. Inherited filaggrin defects raise atopic dermatitis risk, but do not explain every case.
Atopic dermatitis : A chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease and the most common form of eczema. It illustrates eczema’s characteristic interaction between itch, inflammation, and barrier dysfunction.
Emollient : A skin-care product that softens and moisturizes the outer skin. Regular emollient use supports the weakened barrier and helps reduce dryness.
Seborrheic dermatitis : A chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting oil-rich areas, often with greasy scale. It can be called eczema in broad usage but has a distinct distribution and appearance.
Contact dermatitis : Skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen. It is a major eczema subtype with irritant and allergic forms.
Allergic march : The tendency for allergic conditions to appear in a sequence during childhood, often beginning with eczema. Its causes and predictability remain debated, despite eczema’s frequent early appearance.
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