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

Lee, 21, shared her eczema struggle during a panel with pharmaceutical brand Eli Lilly and Company, which is a sponsor of Team USA. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024

The physical and mental impact of eczema Childhood onset is common for eczema, said dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Golant, who was also part of the panel. —Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 10 June 2024

The prevalence of asthma has doubled since the 1980s, and more than one quarter of children have eczema, food allergies, or hay fever or other seasonal allergies. —Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024

Unlike, say, your torso, your face has specific features that make treating eczema there a little more complicated, Dr. Davis says. —Alice Oglethorpe, SELF, 10 May 2024

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