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Eczema (cont.)

Exams and Tests

A medical professional can usually identify eczema by looking at the rash and asking questions about how it appeared. He or she may scrape some scales off the rash and look at them under the microscope to make sure the rash is not caused by fungus. Other types of infection also must be ruled out.

The three key elements in identifying eczema are:

  • Characteristic scaly rash
  • Severe itching
  • Atopy, or a personal or family tendency toward asthma, hay fever, and other allergies



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Dyshidrotic Eczema »

Dyshidrotic eczema is a recurrent or chronic relapsing form of vesicular palmoplantar dermatitis of unknown etiology.

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Medical Dictionary