Eczema is a serious skin condition that can be frustrating to deal with. However, understanding more about what causes eczema will assist in identifying ways to prevent the issue from occurring.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a series of skin conditions that lead to red and itchy skin. This irritation oftentimes displays itself through red patches on the cheeks, chest, neck, around the knees, and even at the inner elbows. Eczema is a highly manageable condition that more than 30 million Americans suffer from.

Eczema is most common in children and typically dissipates as the child grows older, although this isn't always the case. Adults can develop eczema as well even if the condition didn't appear when they were a child.

What Causes Eczema?

While doctors aren't entirely sure about why eczema occurs and for what reasons inflammation is brought about in the skin, the effects resemble an allergy, despite the fact that the condition isn't an allergic reaction to anything. However, there are a few things that are believed to factor into the development of eczema, such as:

• Environmental factors - Children become much more likely to develop eczema if they live in urban areas with high amounts of pollution, in colder environments, or among higher social classes
• Genetics - It's believed that eczema runs in families and is more prevalent among people who have other family members who've suffered from the skin condition in the past
• An immune system that doesn't function as it should
• Activities that might cause the skin to be more sensitive
• Issues within the skin barrier that cause germs to seep through

Types of Eczema

In total, there are six primary types of eczema, all of which have slightly different symptoms. These types include:

• Contact dermatitis - This type of eczema develops when a persons skin comes into contact with a specific substance that causes irritation, which is typically a chemical of some sort.
• Atopic dermatitis - This is by far the most common type of eczema and usually affects children, though anyone can suffer from it. If scratched too much, this skin will be damaged and can let in infections.
• Nummular dermatitis - This type of eczema is most common in men who are in their mid-50's. This form of eczema can develop because of exposure to certain chemicals or constant exposure to cold and dry air.
• Dyshidrotic dermatitis - This chronic form of eczema occurs on the hands and feet, usually starting with heavy itching that eventually leads to blisters and even scaly patches.
• Stasis dermatitis - A type of eczema that usually occurs in the lower legs when the veins in that area don't return blood to the heart properly.
• Neurodermatitis - This type of eczema affects many areas of the body and typically forms in areas of the body that a person scratches out of habit. The irritated skin can become deeply wrinkled and eventually cause an infection to develop.

Top 5 Routes for "Eczema Causes"

1. WebMD This website is a hub where a person can go to get all of the information they need on eczema. The content within is sorted in an easy-to-read manner. This source details the basic causes of eczema as well as the most likely causes for each specific type of eczema.
2. National Eczema Association This website is dedicated entirely to making people aware of eczema as a whole as well as its causes and symptoms. It has an entire area focused on treatment options as well as another one that highlights ways to get involved in the fight against the condition.
3. Health.com This is a highly detailed and scientific article that goes into the causes of each type of eczema as well as actions a person should avoid in order to keep from causing the condition to worsen.
4. Medical News Today This is a six-part article that anyone who's been diagnosed with eczema will want to read, as it details everything from the symptoms and causes to how the condition is diagnosed and the treatment methods available once it is.
5. MedicineNet.com This is a wonderful resource for anyone who's interested in hearing comments from patients and doctors alike about certain facets of eczema, such as the causes and available prevention methods.