Eczema

Eczema is an extremely common skin condition that causes itchy, dry, red and cracked skin. It can occur in at all ages including infancy and childhood. Atopic eczema is common in childhood but sometimes appears or continues later in life. The cause is not known but it often occurs in people who suffer from allergies. Symptoms can come and go and, although it can be severe, most people suffer only mildly with it. Dermatitis and eczema are synonymous but the term "dermatitis" is more commonly associated with occupationally acquired skin disease.

Early and proper treatment can prevent the disease from becoming chronic (long term) and reduces the scarring from long term scratching.

Our Dermatologists are often able to identify the cause and arrange appropriate allergy testing to fully investigate your condition. Skin patch testing for routine allergens (that cause allergy) is the first procedure in diagnosing allergic diseases. It is simple and carries a low risk to perform. If an allergy is identified this can often be avoided leading to a long-term cure of eczema.