Eczema is a common skin disease that can affect all ages. Other names for eczema are dermatitis and atopic eczema. It is a type of skin rash characterized by itchy, red, irritated patches. In severe cases, the rash can ooze, flake, and cause the skin to thicken. A dermatologist cannot cure eczema but can help you learn to control it. Treating eczema is important to calm the skin, relieve itching and pain, to prevent infections, and to stop the skin from thickening (which may cause the skin to itch constantly).