# eczema

/ˈɛksəmə/ (US) · /ˈɛkzəmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eczema
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. skin condition

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a medical condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, and itchy.

For teachers: a non-contagious inflammatory skin condition characterized by redness, itching, and the development of scaly or crusty patches.

- He uses a special cream every night to treat the eczema on his arms.
- The dermatologist prescribed a topical steroid to manage the patient's acute eczema flare-up, which had become increasingly resistant to standard moisturisers.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the condition generally, but can be countable when referring to specific types or instances.

## Examples

- She uses a special cream to treat her eczema.
- Stress and certain soaps can cause a sudden flare-up of his eczema.
- While the exact cause remains unknown, researchers believe that eczema involves a combination of environmental triggers and a weakened skin barrier that allows moisture to escape.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.