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

For people with skin conditions like acne or eczema, the fabric choice is worth taking seriously. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Goldman Sachs is bullish on the stock largely due to Corvus' ongoing development of a non-steroidal oral drug called soquelitinib (CPI-818), which aims to treat atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026

This might look like an acne breakout during a stressful period at work, or maybe your eczema got triggered during a breakup. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026

Probiotic foods may ease symptoms of conditions like eczema, ulcerative colitis, and obesity. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 8 Apr. 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