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What is Eczema?

Eczema, also referred to as Dermatitis, is a type of inflammation of the skin. Inflamed or eczematous skin is red, itchy and swollen - sometimes with fluid-filled bumps that ooze and crust. Common causes of eczema include an allergic reaction to something touching the skin such as poison ivy or nickel and contact with chemicals that damage the outer skin such as strong soaps and substances that dry or irritate the skin.

Eczema is a common problem but it is not contagious. Some types are hereditary. Although eczema cannot be cured, a dermatologist can provide a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan to manage your eczema and control flare-ups. 

Chronic eczema causes people to miss work and often sleep is interrupted, affecting school and work performance.

Within these pages, you will find a number of useful resources and tipsheets:
A CBC Radio interview with
Dr Larry Warshawski, CDA President, and Dr Robert Jackson at the National Eczema Campaign launch in Iqaluit September 12, 2008. [wma]

If I Had - A Child with Red, Itchy Skin - Dr. Eileen Murray, MD, FRCPC, Vancouver General Hospital (video)

Common Types of Eczema  

Atopic Dermatitis (AD)
Atopic Dermatitis is hereditary and the most common type of eczema.  In Canada, the lifetime prevalence is higher than the worldwide average. It is estimated that up to 17% of Canadians suffer from AD at some point in their lives.1

AD usually starts in infants and young children and is characterized by itchy, inflamed skin, usually behind the knees, the inside of the elbows, and on the face, neck and hands. Children with eczema often develop asthma and/or hay fever and have family members who also have these problems.

Contact Dermatitis: There are two types of contact dermatitis: allergic and irritant. 
Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) is caused by a delayed immune reaction following skin contact with an allergenic substance.  About 48 hours after contact with the allergen, the skin becomes inflamed. Poison ivy is the most common cause of ACD. Other common causes include metals, dyes, perfumes and preservatives in cosmetics.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis is more common than ACD and is caused by repeated exposure to substances that chemically damage the skin, such as harsh soaps, detergents, and cleaning products.  These irritants remove oil and moisture from the outer layer of the skin, damaging the protective layer and triggering inflammation. 

1 Eczema Prevalence in Canada. Ipsos-Insight Health, 2003

 

 

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