Diagnosing Eczema

Eczema is one of the most frustrating skin conditions with which to cope. Sadly, it affects 10 percent of infants and 3 percent of adults. There is no test that definitively proves that someone has this condition, but there are some indications that help medical professionals in the task of diagnosing eczema.

Medical history

Give your doctor your full medical history, including any other previous rashes you had in the past. If your family gets rashes often or many members of your household have allergies of one kind or another, this is also helpful information. Allergy-related conditions in the past indicate eczema in the present; asthma is another common indicator.

Rashes

Itching without a rash may indicate early-onset eczema; however, in almost all cases, there a rash develops in the itchy area. This is the most widely-experienced symptom. One indication that your rash is actually eczema is that it changes the color of the affected skin. Light skin may turn brown, or darker skin may turn lighter or far darker than normal. Usually, the skin beneath the rash outbreak grows thick and scaly as well.

Blisters

If your rash is not treated, one indication that it is eczema is that it gets worse after a week or so rather than actually disappearing. It develops blisters that, if they still go untreated, ooze and then crust. These blisters cannot infect others, but they are unpleasant to have on your skin and to view.

Regular flare-ups

Eczema comes and goes. Certain substances, such as lotions and detergents, also cause flare-ups. Tell your doctor about recent flare-ups, and seek additional medical advice if necessary.

Eczema is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat. It is important to get a real diagnosis, as other skin problems look very much like eczema.