Typically, eczema causes skin to become itchy, red, and dry — even cracked and leathery.

Eczema can appear on any part of your body.

It’s most common in infants, many of whom outgrow it before adulthood.

People with eczema have a higher risk of developing allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever.

Eczema runs in families.

Certain genes can make some people have extra-sensitive skin.

An overactive immune system is thought to be a factor as well.

Also, defects in the skin barrier may contribute to eczema.

These defects allow moisture out through the skin and let germs in.

Factors triggering may eczema include:

>Stress

Almost always, your skin will itch before a rash appears in eczema.

Typically, eczema shows itself as:

>Patches of chronically itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on your hands, neck, face, and legs, but it can occur anywhere.  In children, the inner creases of the knees and elbows are often involved.

>If scratched, dry patches of skin and open sores with crusts may develop and get infected.

The current thinking is eczema is caused by a combination of factors including:

>genetics

This is what’s known about eczema causes:

Eczema isn’t contagious.

You can’t catch it by coming in contact with someone who has it.

Eczema runs in families.

That suggests a genetic role in eczema’s development.

A major risk factor is having relatives who have or had:

>eczema