eczema

Everyday

1. Eczema is a common skin condition that makes patches of skin dry, red, cracked and very itchy. tree →
2. It often starts in babies and children, may come and go, and can be made worse by things like soap, heat, stress or some foods. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons and everyday life, eczema is something many children have; it is not catching, so you cannot get it from touching someone. People treat it with creams (emollients), avoiding triggers and not scratching. Being kind about someone's skin is part of PSHE. Phrases: have eczema, eczema flare-up, eczema cream, atopic eczema.

Examples

• My little sister has eczema on her elbows. tree →
• Eczema is not catching, so you can still hold hands. tree →
• He puts cream on his eczema every night. tree →
• Hot baths can make eczema worse. tree →
• Her eczema flared up when she was worried about tests. tree →
• Try not to scratch eczema, even though it itches. tree →
• Some children grow out of their eczema. tree →
• The doctor gave her a special cream for her eczema. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «She has eczema», not «an eczema». Pronounced «EK-zuh-muh» (UK) or «eg-ZEE-muh» (US). Spelling trap: e-c-z-e-m-a, with the tricky «cz». Myth: eczema is not caused by being dirty and it is not contagious.