There are three main types of eczema: atopic, seborrhoeic and contact dermatitis.

Atopic Eczema
Atopy runs in families and is a sign of an overactive immune system. Associated with children, sufferers often have hay fever and asthma too. It is a dry, hot and itchy skin inflammation found mainly around the knees, wrists, neck and bends of the elbow as well as the face and eyelids. It begins usually in the first few months of life but for most will clear before puberty.

Seborrhoeic Eczema
Found mainly on the scalp, face, in the groin and armpits where grease glands are in greater number - it affects adults predominantly and can range from mild (flaky skin) to severe (itchy, oily, inflamed skin). It is caused by an overgrowth of a harmless yeast called Pityrosporum.

Contact Dermatitis
This is caused by contact with a substance that produces either an irritant or an allergic reaction. Common irritants, responsible for around 80% of cases, are soap, detergents and food. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a hypersensitivity to a substance and will appear wherever skin comes into contact with it. Allergies to rubber, skin medications, hairdressing chemicals and fragrances are particularly common.

Stress and Eczema
Eczema causes stress but whether stress actually causes eczema is not proven. People who suffer from eczema do say that in times of stress their eczema flares but why this happens is not known.