Eczema is a skin condition. The skin becomes dry, red, itchy, and sometimes swollen or cracked. It can come and go for years. Many people get it on the hands, the inside of the elbows, or behind the knees, though it can show up elsewhere. It is not a short infection you “catch” like a cold; it is more like the skin overreacting and getting sore. Doctors cannot always switch it off, but creams, cooler air, and not scratching help many people. Children often have it, and some grow out of it. In more medical talk people also say dermatitis. It is a normal English word — you can tell a teacher or a doctor “I have eczema” without sounding fancy. Though actually, what looks like eczema is not always eczema, so a real diagnosis belongs to a doctor, not to a quick look in the mirror.