The severity of symptoms varies between patients and because it depends on several factors will vary at different times for each patient.

The symptoms may include:

Sensitive skin that is red and inflamed.
The skin appears dry, swollen and extremely itchy.
There is often a rash on the forehead, cheeks and scalp.
The rash can spread to the torso, and the creases of the elbows, knees and wrists.
Scratching can make the skin even more irritated and appear wet or weepy, which later forms crusts.
The skin in adults can become rough, thicker and leathery.
In babies the rash can occur all over their bodies.
In toddlers and young children the rash is most commonly in the creases, including the genital area. Children may experience frequent flare-ups.
Note: Eczema-like symptoms may be caused by very dry skin, and it is important to ask appropriate questions to determine which it is.

Eczema or just dry skin?

These two conditions have different causes but share many of the same symptoms, such as dry and itchy skin.

A doctor or skin specialist will diagnose eczema by conducting a skin examination, taking a medical history and possibly doing allergy tests.

It is important to ask your patient if they have had a diagnosis of eczema from a doctor or skin specialist, if they say they have eczema.

Part 2: Symptoms