Eczema is a chronic skin condition with symptoms that can change in severity and duration from one outbreak to the next. Symptoms also differ from person to person. Eczema can occur on any part of the body. In infants eczema is usually found on the cheeks, forehead, neck, scalp, forearms, and legs. In children and adults the eczema commonly appears on the face, neck, elbows, knees, and ankles.
At the onset of a flare-up the skin may look like patches of red, scaly skin. This is usually accompanied by itchiness and a feeling of heat in the affected area. If patients often scratch their skin the eczema can often become inflamed and think and rough in texture. In some instances of eczema, tiny, oozing blisters may form, eventually crusting over.
Abnormal eczema symptoms
If you experience any of these symptoms you should consult with a skin care professional right away:
• Yellow to light brown crusted lesions or pustules form on top of existing patches of eczema. This could mean you have a bacterial infection which will need antibiotic treatment.
• You develop many tiny blisters filled with liquid around the eczema affected areas. This is sometimes accompanied by feeling fatigued, running a high fever, having body ache, sever itching, and insomnia. If you experience any of these symptoms this could indicate you have eczema herpeticum, a rare but highly dangerous herpes simplex infection that requires immediate treatment. If not promptly treated the infection can spread rapidly throughout the body and even lead to organ failure.
If you are ever unsure about whether your eczema symptoms are normal it is always a good idea to have your eczema checked out by a skin care professional.
