Consistent with the National Eczema Foundation, we don’t know what exactly causes eczema (often called atopic dermatitis). The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes atopic dermatitis as a complex skin disease caused by an interaction between a person’s environment and their genes. People with eczema tend to have an overactive immune system that responds to topical irritants or allergens by producing inflammation.
There are many risk factors for eczema. Some causes of eczema include stress or allergens. Having extremely dry skin, coming in contact with allergic substances in shampoo or cleansers, having certain food allergies, hay fever (also called rhinitis), living in cold mountainous areas or places that are cold and damp for at least part of the year, or living in places that are swampy and hot: all of these environmental risk factors can contribute to the severity, intensity, and frequency of an eczema flare up if you are genetically predisposed to this skin disease.
It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common behind the knees and inside the elbows. It is also very common on the neck, back, legs, and hands.
We certainly encourage you to consult your physician for a proper diagnosis.