ekcémára

Ekcéma, or eczema in English, refers to a family of chronic inflammatory skin conditions characterized by itchiness, redness, and often dry, scaly patches. It is not a single disease but a syndrome with several main forms, the most common being atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis typically begins in childhood and follows a relapsing course, with periods of flare and remission. Other forms include contact dermatitis (irritant or allergic), seborrheic dermatitis, nummular eczema, dyshidrotic eczema, and stasis dermatitis. The exact cause is multifactorial: genetic predisposition, skin barrier dysfunction (for example filaggrin mutations), immune dysregulation, and environmental triggers such as irritants, allergens, weather, and stress. It often occurs in people with a personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or hay fever.

Symptoms vary but commonly include intense itching, dry or inflamed skin, redness, swelling, and sometimes oozing or crusting during flares. Diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on history and examination; patch testing may help identify contact allergens in suspected cases.

Management focuses on skin barrier restoration and flare control. Regular use of emollients and gentle skin care are fundamental. Short courses of topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors help during flares. For severe or refractory cases, phototherapy or systemic therapies, including newer biologics such as dupilumab, may be employed. Avoiding known triggers, wearing comfortable clothing, and managing stress can reduce episodes.

Epidemiology varies by age and region; eczema is particularly common in children but persists in a substantial minority into adulthood. In Hungarian, ekcéma is the term for the condition, with ekcémára used in phrases meaning “for eczema” or “toward eczema.”