Eczema is not caused by any specific reason, but it is generally considered as allergic disease and may also be called as atopic eczema. It is associated with asthma and hay fever. If any of the family members is suffering from this disease then others will also be infected and may cause eczema or any of the other two. There can be various causes of eczema as stated below;

* Change in a regular temperature or humidity.

* Different allergies (to dust, mold, animal, etc.)

* Chemical irritants: pesticides, paint strippers, alcohol, astringents, perfumes, harsh soaps, detergents and household cleaners.

* Physical irritants: synthetic clothes, clothes made of wool.

* Emotional stress.

* Any kind of infection.

All the above things may cause or may give rise to eczema. Any contact with matter that irritates the skin is called irritant contact dermatitis. This is caused by direct contact between skin and the matter like detergent, soap, alcohol, strong chemical, cleaner, perfume, etc. another cause of eczema is the contact with substances that may cause you allergy. These are the allergens which causes the skin to be quickly sensitive to any change in atmosphere. Allergens can be chemicals like detergent powder, perfumes skin reacts it rapidly. They also include metals like nickel. Whenever you wear the nickel earrings or any ornaments made by nickel your skin will respond it.

Poisons ivy, cosmetic and rubber products are also incorporated in this category. Infantile eczema is a kind eczema that often influences young babies. This kind of eczema is caused by moisture from dribble or inflammation of scalp this is very well known as cradle crap.

The cause of eczema that affects the lower portion of legs which is also known as stasis dermatitis are the varicose veins so it may be also called as varicose or gravitational eczema.

There are two types of the contact dermatitis known as allergic contact dermatitis and direct irritant contact dermatitis. Direct irritant contact dermatitis is caused by direct exposure to acids, alkaline, detergents and various other chemicals that could actually agitate the skin and if it happens recurrently then the condition can be chronic. This kind of dermatitis is often come across at workplace. While on the other hand allergic contact dermatitis is caused by the exposure of skin to allergens that may be physical or chemical matters.

There is an important difference between the two, for allergic contact dermatitis the exposure is necessary for infection to get caused while for direct irritant contact dermatitis it happens in first exposure like when you first came in contact with the chemicals and u feel unconscious.

Additional causes of eczema may be the result of chemical reactions within human body. These include seborrhoeic dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, discoid or nummular, dishydrotic or pompholyx eczema and varicose dermatitis.

Eczema causes number of symptoms. All types of eczema except seborrhoeic have few typical symptoms such as etching. The typical symptoms are skin redness, weeping of skin, inflammation, pain, tenderness, and scaling, crusting, dryness, fissures and vesicles takes place. Any kind of damage to epidermis and the upper layer of skin can cause it to get thicken and dry. This is also known as lichenification.