Eczema is a common skin condition. Various exogenous sources responsible for causing eczema are irritant chemicals, sunlight, cosmetic products, hair dye, detergents and soaps etc. While sometimes internal factors like atopy, systemic diseases, seborrhea could be responsible for giving rise to endogenous eczema. The most common types seen in daily clinical practice are atopic dermatitis in children and hand and foot eczemas in adults. It can be classified as acute, subacute and chronic disease. Initially, it presents as redness, vesicles, oozing from the lesion with itching over the lesion. Gradually, crusting and scaling increases and then it develops thick, dry and rough skin over the affected area. When it heals, it leaves pigmentation which lightens up gradually with time.

Treatment of eczema is sometimes difficult in long standing cases. It is important to identify the etiological agent and treat accordingly. Avoidance of the causative agent and generous use of emollients on daily basis can prevent the development of eczema. Various topical medicines like steroids and calcineurin inhibitors and excimer light are being used for eczema. Some severe cases may require systemic therapy.