Please click here to see more pictures of people affected by eczema. Many times it is difficult to identify the exact trigger that causes a flare-up . For some, it seems that rough or coarse materials coming into contact with the skin causes itchiness. Other people find that certain soaps, detergents, disinfectants, contact with juices from fresh fruits and meats, dust mites, and animal saliva and danders may trigger itching. Stress can also sometimes aggravate an existing flare-up.
Eczema occurs in both children and adults, but usually appears during infancy.
Although there is no known cause for the disease, it often affects people with a family history of allergies. Those who are genetically predisposed and then exposed to environmental triggers may develop eczema. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 15 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. Others will have some form of the disease throughout their lives. Eczema outbreaks can usually be avoided with some simple precautions.