Eczema is not contagious.

More Info: Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes the skin to redden, swell, and itch.  It can be caused from a variety of factors including genetics, allergies, stress, and can be secondary to other medical conditions.

Types of Eczema

Atopic Dermatitis

Overview: The most common type of eczema, atopic dermatitis is caused by an excessive skin reaction to an allergen.

Symptoms: Atopic dermatitis can take on a variety of skin altering forms including blistering, redness, inflammation, lichenification (leather-like patches of skin)

Causes: Atopic dermatitis can be caused by genetic makeup, stress, and allergens.  It can be exacerbated by illness, dry skin, environmental irritants, water, body temperature changes, chemical additives such as dyes and fragrances, and stress.

Dishydrotic Eczema

Overview: The condition dishydrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx, is chronic and of unknown origins.

Symptoms: Dishydrotic eczema produces small, fluid filled blisters on the hands and feet.

Causes: The causes of dishydrotic eczema are unknown but are believed to be produced by a variety of factors in tandem.  The condition is twice as common in women than in men and appears to relapse at certain times of the year.

Nummular Eczema

Overview: Brought on by allergies, nummular eczema causes perfectly round patches of skin that itch.

Symptoms: Nummular eczema is characterized by coin shaped patches of itchy, crusty, or dry skin.  The condition usually appears on the arms and legs but is not limited to these areas.

Causes: The condition is most common in elderly men and can be brought on by stress, environmental irritants, temperature changes, and dry skin.