Nursery World - A Unique Child Health: A doctor's diary ... Eczema

'Doctor, I'm worried about my son. He has a nasty rash behind his knees, it looks so red and sore.'

Eczema is a common skin condition that is often poorly understood. In most cases it is mild, but a number of complications can occur that may require prompt intervention by a doctor or nurse.

Eczema is known in medical terms as atopic dermatitis. It is caused by a defect in the integrity of the skin's barrier. As such, the skin becomes more susceptible to triggers that cause it to become inflamed. Triggers include soaps, washing powders and conditioners, infections, chemicals and foods. Most patients, however, do not need to be referred for allergy testing. National guidelines on eczema discourage the use of internet allergy testing.

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