Atopic eczema : Malta Eczema Society set up

Abstract

Eczema (also called 'dermatitis') is a common skin condition that can affect up to 10% of the population at some time of their lives. In certain cases the condition may be severe and incapacitating. The word 'eczema' is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning 'to boil over'. Although many patients who have eczema have dry, sometimes flaky skin, when the condition flares up vesicles and blisters that may weep and crusts appear. Although eczema may become infected, in itself it is not contagious. There are several different types and causes of eczema. The commonest type is called 'atopic eczema'. The word 'atopy' was introduced by Coca 1 in 1923 as a convenient collective term for a group of diseases, chief among which are asthma, hay fever and eczema, which occur spontaneously in individuals who have a family history of susceptibility. In fact some 75% of patients with atopic eczema have a personal or family history of asthma or hay fever or both. Atopic eczema usually appears before the age of one year however it may develop later in childhood or even in adulthood.