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Eczema, an itchy inflammation of the skin, effects many people in different forms, with one of the most common being scalp eczema.

The scalp is vulnerable because the skin of the scalp is different than skin elsewhere on the body. The scalp has a very rich supply of grease from the sebaceous glands as well as carrying follicles creating long hairs.

There are other symptoms to watch for with eczema besides itching. A person suffering from a form of eczema may also experience redness of the affected area, dry skin, lumps or blisters, and possibly signs of superficial infection such as weeping or crusty deposits.

It is important to let your medical provider know if you are suffering these symptoms and to which parts of your body, as there are several types of eczema, including atopic, allergic contact, irritant contact, discoid, seborrhoeic, and many others.

Eczema is actually a fairly common condition with atopic eczema (the 'allergic' type often seen in people with allergies or asthma), affecting about 10-20 percent of school children and 3-5 percent of adults in the UK.

This number is increasing and becoming more common. The cause of this strain becoming more common may be due to an increased exposure to allergens such as house dust or environmental factors.

Now that we know what the symptoms are, how is eczema and scalp eczema treated? Treatment can consist of topical creams or ointments that are applied regularly.

Or, if the area is infected, your medical provider may prescribe antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals. These may either be taken orally or topically.

Depending on the severity of your condition, either method has proven over time to be effective.

Although eczema or scalp eczema are conditions which can be annoying or troublesome, there is hope that the treatments can be effective and one suffering from eczema can lead a full, productive life.