The word 'eczema' is used to describe any chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by red, blistering, oozing or dry, scaly, thickened lesions. Many doctors use this term interchangeably with dermatitis.

Common types of eczema are:
Atopic dermatitis: Click here to read about this condition
Contact dermatitis: Click here to read about this condition
Seborrhoeic dermatitis: This is a common chronic skin condition characterised by the appearance of waxy scales on the skin and reddened areas, occurring on the areas of the skin where there is a presence of large oil glands (the middle of the face, behind the ears, and especially on the scalp. Infants and adults of middle age are most affected by it.
Exfoliative dermatitis: This is characterised by eruptions which show a great amount of scaling and flaking.
Stasis dermatitis: This type of eczema occurs in the portions of the body where the blood circulation is very poor, like around the ankles and has a great tendency to form ulcers. It is often associated with some circulatory disorder like varicose veins etc.
Nummular dermatitis: The eruptions are coin shaped in this type of eczema.
Neuro dermatitis: This is used to describe eczema, which are primarily psycho-somatic in nature i.e. stress is the main cause.