Eczema is an allergic skin disease. It may occur as a red, itchy, scaly rash with tiny blisters. The blisters break, ooze a clear fluid, and then crust over. Children may get eczema on the face, scalp, buttocks, thighs, and upper body. Severe cases are common during infancy with many children improving by age 2.
Adults usually have it on the face, neck, inside the elbows, or behind the knees.
In adults, there is more scaling and less blister formation than that seen in children. Flare-ups can be sparked by dry skin, allergies, hot baths or showers, soap, scratchy and tight clothing, rapid temperature changes, and emotional upsets. Scratching the lesions may cause infection. Bathe without soap or use a gentle soap or non-soap cleanser. Avoid antihistamine or antiseptic creams and sprays.