Foot Conditions A-Z
Eczema
“Eczema” is used to describe several different types of allergic skin conditions. Also called “dermatitis,” or “atopic dermatitis,” normally it is not serious, but it can be uncomfortable and aggravating because it makes the skin dry, inflamed and itchy.
The condition tends to manifest in children and adults where the skin creases—on the ankles, wrists, neck, and behind the “hinge” joints such as the inner elbow and knee. Although it is a chronic condition, symptoms can be minimized by taking certain precautions. The National Eczema Association estimates that more than 30 million people in the United States have the condition.
Another skin condition, psoriasis, can look similar because both cause rashes and itching. While both conditions have a strong hereditary component, they are different: Psoriasis usually manifests on the elbows, knees and scalp (although it can form anywhere). Also, the psoriasis rash is usually thicker and causes more scaling and shedding of skin.