The word Eczema comes from the Greek, and it's exact translation is 'to boil over'. People with eczema say that 'boiling over' is a good description of how their skin feels when their eczema is bad.

Eczema is a problem affecting the skin. Your skin has two main layers: an upper layer called the epidermis and a lower layer called the dermis. Eczema affects the epidermis.

There are many different types of eczema, but the most common type is called atopic eczema. Is is also sometimes called infantile eczema because it so often starts in infancy, when a baby is 3-4 months old ( it is estimated that at least 5% in the country are affected by it) .

Eczema begins with the skin becoming red, swollen and scaly on the scalp and the cheeks. It then speads to the limbs, especially the elbows, the backs of the knees, the feet and the area under the nappy. A rash of little blisters may form ( Dr's call these vesicles ) and these can weep and become crusty.

The dryness of the skin and the itching that comes with it is very uncomfortable and unpleasant , some times the urge to scratch is so strong that you can draw blood. The combination of eczema and the scratching can make the skin split or crack open ( Doctors call these cracks fisures ) . Any breaks in the skin's protective layer may lead to an infection developing , which will make matters even worse.

Eczema varies widely from person to person, some only have it midly affecting only a few patches of the skin , while in others it is very severe . But don't be tempted to ignore it, even if your or your child's eczema is very mild indeed. Even mild eczema can flare up and cause problems if it is not treated correctly and regularly.

ECZEMA IS NOT CONTAGIOUS OR INFECTIOUS: YOU CANNOT CATCH IT FROM ANOTHER PERSON, AND ANOTHER PERSON CANNOT GIVE IT TO YOU.

A booklet is available called "Eczema: A practical approach." Written by dermatologist Dr. A.T. Sharif, the booklet is designed to help parents of young children cope with the symptoms of eczema.

It also explains what causes eczema, treatments available, and useful hints and tips to help make your child more comfortable