Eczema

This section will highlight the different types of eczema and the relevant principles of care that underpin the treatment of people living with eczema. It commences with a review of what eczema is and a brief outline of the variants of the condition. This is followed by an overview of what eczema is commonly mistaken for in a review of the differential diagnosis. The focus is then on the widespread form of eczema, atopic eczema, its features and key principles regarding the care of a child with eczema and related family care. Different treatment options are examined, with due regard to different types of treatment and patterns of their use; this includes topical treatments, occlusive, behavioural and systemic approaches. Other types of eczema are discussed and the related patient care, including seborrhoeic eczema, contact eczema, both irritant and allergic. This is followed by eczemas of adulthood, including those common in older age, such as discoid and varicose eczema, and their related principles of care and treatment.