Do I Have Eczema?

Do you have itching, that can range from mild to severe?

Do you have a severe itching that causes you to scratch your skin until it bleeds (“itch-scratch cycle”)?

Do you have dry, sensitive skin?

Do you have patches of red, hot and swollen skin (lighter skin becomes red and then turn brown, and darker skin will look lighter or darker in the affected areas)?

Do you have rough, leathery or scaly skin on the affected area?

Do you have blisters, sometimes with oozing and crusting?

Do you have cracked skin behind the ears?

Do you have a rash on the creases of the elbows or knees?

Do you have a rash that is especially prominent on your neck, face and around your eyes?

Do you have a round, coin-shaped spots on your skin?

Do you have open areas on your skin (cracking or larger ulcers)?

Do you have infected areas on your skin?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have eczema. Eczema represents a group of skin conditions characterized by red, itchy and inflamed skin. Eczema is a common condition that affects more than 30 million people in the United State. Sometimes, normal dry skin can be itchy or inflamed but that does not mean that you have eczema. It is usually a temporary problem. But, to be sure, your symptoms need to be checked by a doctor or a dermatologist.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have eczema. Eczema is a medical condition that refers to a red, inflamed and itchy skin. The symptoms of eczema can be mild, moderate and severe, so living with eczema can often be challenging. Eczema is a common condition in children but adults can also develop eczema, even if they never had it in childhood. Eczema is not contagious and it is usually caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. There is no cure for eczema but there are treatments that can relieve your symptoms.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have eczema. Eczema is a medical term for a group of skin disorders with red, inflamed and itchy skin. There are several types of eczema and a person may have more than one type simultaneously. The symptoms may vary from person to person and may appear in different parts of the body. Your doctor or a dermatologist will recommend a treatment option according to your age and the severity of your symptoms. Treatment includes over-the-counter drugs, prescribed topical medications (medications that are applied to the skin), phototherapy, biologics and immunosuppressants.