eczema

noun

ec·​ze·​ma ig-ˈzē-mə  ˈeg-zə-mə  ˈek-sə- 

: an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by redness, itching, and oozing vesicular lesions which become scaly, crusted, or hardened

eczematous

ig-ˈze-mə-təs 

adjective

Examples of eczema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

History of Allergies Women with a history of allergies—which includes eczema, food allergies and hay fever—are more likely to get it because their immune systems are more likely to respond to irritants by triggering an inflammatory response. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026

First, it’s dermatologist-tested and formulated for sensitive skin, which is a must for someone like me who has struggled with acne and eczema for years. —Claire West, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026

Nektar Therapeutics said Tuesday that monthly and quarterly injections of its experimental drug, called rezpeg, enabled 71% and 83% of patients with moderate-to-severe eczema, respectively, to maintain stringent skin-lesion improvements after one year. —Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026

Inflammatory Skin Conditions Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis develop due to an overactive immune system. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek ékzema, from ekze-, stem of ekzéō, ekzeîn "to boil over, (of disease) break out" (from ek- ec- + zeîn "to boil, seethe") + -ma, resultative noun suffix — more at yeast entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

eczema

noun

ec·​ze·​ma ig-ˈzē-mə  ˈeg-zə-mə 

ˈek-sə-

: a skin disease marked by redness, itching, and scaly or crusty lesions

Medical Definition

eczema

noun

ec·​ze·​ma ig-ˈzē-mə  ˈeg-zə-mə  ˈek-sə- 

: an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by redness, itching, and oozing vesicular lesions which become scaly, crusted, or hardened

eczematous

ig-ˈzem-ət-əs 

adjective