THREE STAGES OF ECZEMA.

THREE STAGES OF ECZEMA.

There are three stages of eczema: acute, subacute, and chronic. Each represents a stage in the evolution of a dynamic inflammatory process ( Table 3-1 ). Clinically, an eczematous disease may start at any stage and evolve into another. Most eczematous diseases, if left alone (i.e., neither irritated, scratched, nor medicated), resolve in time without complication. This ideal situation is almost never realized; scratching, irritation, or attempts at topical treatment are almost inevitable. Some degree of itching is a cardinal feature of eczematous inflammation.