Rashes can occur from a variety of causes. Someone experiencing a rash may want to know what does eczema look like. Eczema often recurs. It may flare-up and disappear only to return days, months, or years later. Therefore, a person with a recurrent rash is likely to have eczema.

What does eczema look like? Different types of eczema have different appearances. The most common form of eczema, known as atopic dermatitis, appears as a patch of flaky, dry skin. The skin of the rash may appear red or irritated. If it is extremely dry, the skin may form cracks. These cracks could bleed.

A dry rash is most common. The dry skin may appear white. Often with eczema rashes, white flakes of skin cling to the area of the eczema rash and may peel or flake from the rash. Some types of eczema can cause a wet rash. A wet eczema rash can cause fluid-filled blisters which can rupture and give the rash a wet appearance. The wet rash may become crusty.

Some eczema rashes can appear as a collection of red bumps. Red or purplish lesions may form an eczema rash. Since eczema rashes can worsen or become infected, a person with a rash should consult a physician or dermatologist. Besides a rash, eczema can cause intense itchiness. Severe cases can be painful, especially if the rash has bleeding sores, becomes infected, or has extensive peeling of the skin.

Besides appearance, other factors can let someone know if the rash is eczema. Eczema is often caused by a hyperactive immune system that is oversensitive. This sensitivity of the immune system is hereditary. Therefore, people with eczema are likely to have family members who have eczema or other conditions caused by oversensitivity of the immune system. Other conditions caused by a sensitive immune system are asthma and allergies.

Being diagnosed by a physician is the first step to managing eczema. A doctor may prescribe eczema medications to treat flare-ups. The doctor may inform the patient of ways to help prevent future eczema rashes. Not all eczema rashes can be prevented. However, the patient can take some steps to preventing them.

Keeping the skin hydrated is perhaps the best way to prevent eczema rashes. The person with atopic dermatitis should also avoid the use of harsh soaps. Though moisturizers should be used frequently, the moisturizers should be hypoallergenic. Perfumes and dyes can irritate the skin of someone with atopic dermatitis.