Eczema is an inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions, although scarring is rare. Different types include: Atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant dermatitis in addition to others.