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Article: Eczema factfile
- Article from:
- Western Daily Press (Bristol UK)
- Article date:
- April 9, 2008
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Western Daily Press (Bristol UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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The word 'eczema' comes from Greek words that mean 'to boil over'
and is the an itchy inflammation of the skin.
* In the UK, up to one fifth of all school age children have
eczema, along with about one in twelve of the adult population.
* It is getting more common, having seen an increase of between
two- and five-fold over the past 30 years.
* Why eczema is on the rise is not clear although it seems likely
that increasing exposure to allergens, such as house dust mite, and
other environmental factors are the main cause.
* Eczema ranges from mild forms, in which the skin is dry, hot
and itchy, to far more severe forms, in which the skin is inflamed,
broken, raw and bleeding.
* Although it can ...