If you are a person that suffers with eczema you will know that it may be some time before the true cause is found and whether you are predisposed genetically to suffer with it; whether this is the reason or some outside influence, remains a mystery. The signs are quite unmistakable, with areas of dry, red and itchy skin that are very pronounced. This dryness can lead to what appears to be a ‘crusty' surface that may exhibit blistering.

Whilst a number of forms exist, the most common is the form of atopic eczema; some are even specific to certain areas of the body but one common problem among all of them is itching. The main problem with the itching, especially with atopic eczema is that scratching brings relief but at a cost of intensifying the condition. People who suffer with this also have to stay clear of many everyday substances because using those makes the condition far worse; the skin can easily become irritated by detergents, soap and even cosmetics for example.

In children, the condition is less noticeable because it is hidden below the surface of the skin which means it may be overlooked for some time. There are occasions where a person with eczema can have a rash but it is not itchy; because the disorder is characterized by itching, if this rash does not itch then it is not a symptom of this condition. If the rash itches and reacts well to eczema treatment but the rash does not disappear then there is a good chance the rash is unrelated to the itchy feeling.

The diagnosis of the skin disorder is not that simple because there are other medical conditions which cause itchy skin. Whilst Eczema and a rash always coexist at the same time, the reason the rash itches is still a mystery. One of the more noticeable symptoms of is the red skin in the location of the rash which is caused by increased blood flow.

With eczema, the skin can become inflamed for many reasons because it is already highly sensitive; it can also flare up if your skin gets infected by a bacteria. Blisters are also a symptom and in an active condition, the blisters seen are small, although there are cases when the blisters are larger; this may be the result of the person's skin type or from an infection. Every sufferer is warned about blisters as they can be damaged by scratching or carelessness and whilst some are filled with fluid, others have a pus like substance; further infection is almost assured if the blisters are damaged, this is why scratching can just aggravate an already sensitive condition.