Eczema is not called “itch that rashes” for nothing. The reason it is so is that if you feel yourself itch and if you scratch it hard enough it will become a rash. In all cases, the first symptom of eczema is an itch. If you persist in scratching, a rash will be sure to develop. The rash that appears looks like a patch of skin that is different from the skin around it. When it develops, it is very dry to the extent that it is scaly and can come off as hard pieces of skin. It will be red and burning. It also itches which makes you want to scratch it even more.
In the case of adults, the patches are not so much red but are brown, scaly and very thick. In some cases, adults develop bumps or bubbles some with fluid in them – if scratched the fluid oozes out making a mess of the wound. If left to be and consistently scratched, it will develop serious scratches. If you scratch even further, it will start to ooze a kind of secretion – something that happens very much in the case of small children. It will then go on to become very crusty.
The rash can come absolutely anywhere on the body but it usually on the hands and legs. Doctors say that it is because it is these parts of the body that actually are in most contact with external factors that cause eczema.
There is not much to worry about. You really need to consult a doctor when the pain, burning and the redness get worse with the patch spreading despite putting the regular medication. Even if it is not that bad but yet it disturbs you in your regular daily routine, you must get yourself checked up. Understand that eczema is not an urgent case of medical treatment but there are exceptions to the rule.
If the rash is so bad that it breaks down and starts to get infected, become increasingly heated and have red streaks coming off them, it is an emergency. The same case if you have a rising fever when you have a rash that hasn’t gone as yet. Most important of all, if you have a weak immune system (which you should already know), are undergoing treatment for diabetes, AIDS, alcohol addiction or if you are 70 years of age and above, then it is an emergency. See to it that you get immediate medical attention so that the matter does not get worse.
Be sure that you get the right consultation every time something could be wrong. Don’t hesitate to make sure that you are in best of conditions health wise at least where your eczema reactions stand. There is medication that you can carry with you that can work against an eczema outburst when it happens suddenly. After you take the medicine, if it still persists then you must visit a hospital to check it up.

