The first noticeable symptom of eczema is usually an intense itchiness. The itching is often at one spot on the body. The areas affected may be a small patch of skin or more general like the hands. After the itchiness, the person often develops eczema skin symptoms.

Eczema skin symptoms are a defining characteristic of eczema. The skin symptoms of eczema differentiate eczema from other forms of allergies. There are common symptoms that are apparent in almost everyone with eczema.

An eczema condition causes redness and irritation of the skin. The skin often becomes flaky and dry. The severity of the dryness can vary from outbreak to outbreak as well as from person to person. The redness, irritation, and dry skin can be present in one area or cover the hands. After the rash develops, the itchiness sometimes turns into a burning sensation.

For infants with eczema, they usually develop eczema symptoms on the face, forehead, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. Common locations on the body for eczema skin symptoms in adults and children are the inside of the elbows, the inside of the knees, the face, neck, or ankles. Eczema is not restricted to these areas, but they are the most common location of eczema skin rashes.

The redness and irritation of eczema can range from a mild pink color to a deep red. Some eczema rashes produce an abundance of flaking dry skin while some rashes may be mostly tightness associated with dry skin. Instead of small flakes of skin, some types of eczema may have the appearance that the person is losing a layer of larger pieces of skin almost as if the person is shedding their skin in the area of the eczema rash.

The skin symptoms of eczema can become severe. The dryness and flaking skin can turn into deep, painful cracks in the skin. Some people with eczema develop lesions that contain liquid. When scratched open, the rash may become a wet, seeping rash. Some eczema rashes become crusty. Adults with eczema may have eczema rashes that are scaly, brownish in color, and thicker than their previous eczema rashes.

To prevent the eczema rash from becoming severe, the person should seek treatment from a physician. Though moisturizer may help the dryness of the skin symptoms, some eczema rashes require more than moisturizer for successful treatment. If the allergen causing the eczema rash is identified, the person should avoid contact with the allergen.