noun
eczema
ig-ZEE-muh/ɪɡˈziːmə/
A skin condition causing inflamed, itchy patches.
Her eczema causes itchy patches on her hands and arms.
Etymology
“Out” and “boil” give the image of something boiling over or breaking out. Ancient physicians are said to have used the name for fiery skin pustules, connecting that image to an inflamed skin eruption.
In context
the skin becomes dry and inflamed and this is referred to as venous eczema
More examples
- Cold, dry weather can make my eczema worse.
- The doctor recommends a gentle moisturizer for his eczema.
- She avoids scented soaps because they irritate her eczema.
Similar words
- dermatitis
- A broader term for skin inflammation, including eczema.
- rash
- A visible skin eruption, not necessarily caused by eczema.