eczema

American  

[ek-suh-muh, eg-zuh-, ig-zee-] / ˈɛk sə mə, ˈɛg zə-, ɪgˈzi- /

noun

Pathology.

1. an inflammatory condition of the skin attended with itching and the exudation of serous matter.

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eczema British  

/ ɪɡˈziːmə, ɛkˈsɛmətəs, ˈɛksɪmə /

noun

1. pathol a skin inflammation with lesions that scale, crust, or ooze a serous fluid, often accompanied by intense itching or burning

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eczema Scientific  

/ ĕk′sə-mə /

1. An acute or chronic noncontagious inflammation of the skin, often caused by allergy and characterized by itching, scaling, and blistering.

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Other Word Forms

• eczematous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of eczema

First recorded in 1745–55; from New Latin, from Greek ékzema, from ek- ec- + ze- (stem of zeîn “to boil, ferment”) + -ma, noun suffix

Explanation

Eczema refers to several skin conditions in which the skin is inflamed and usually itchy. If your skin is red, sore, itchy, or starting to discharge pus, you might have eczema: a condition of the skin that's not very pleasant. This isn't a single disease, but can refer to any skin condition that's not contagious and involves inflammation or the formation of pustules. Eczema isn't a dangerous condition, but it doesn't look or feel good. If you have eczema, a dermatologist — a doctor who specializes in the skin — can help.

Example Sentences

"I checked the sources, it came from the National Eczema Society, I went to the pharmacist, I asked her for her best cream, she named the same one, I bought it, it worked."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic disease that causes dry, itchy skin.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2024

That video, featuring a lotion by the brand the Ocean Healed My Eczema, has 3.6 million views.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2023

Today, the National Eczema Foundation estimates that at least 10 percent of Americans have eczema, and that one in ten people will have eczema in their lifetime.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2023

Eczema, ek′ze-ma, n. a common skin disease, in which the affected portion of the skin is red, and is covered with numerous small papules, which speedily turn into vesicles.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various