Eczema is a worldwide skin disease that has affected many. Atopic Dermatitis, the medical name for eczema, is a skin disease that forms a red, itchy, scaly rash on the surface of the skin. For those with a darker skin tone, this disease appears as a dark blotch or patch on the skin.

Some symptoms of eczema include itching, peeling, and, in some cases, burning. It is usually located where there is a lot of bacteria build up, for example on the back of the knees or inside the elbows.

Eczema is usually caused by genetics and is passed down from parents or other family members. It can also be intensified by certain food allergies. Fortunately, it is not contagious, but it is common. There are ways to cure it, or at least ease or soothe the rash. Those who suffer from the disease may speak with a dermatologist who can prescribe medication to help with itching or burning. There are natural home remedies easily used to help treat this skin disease: aloe vera, oatmeal baths, tea tree oil, coconut oil, or even a change in diet.

Exposure to the sun can worsen the itching and burning sensations, a solution to this is to include Vitamin D within the diet or use medication that has a high Vitamin D concentration.

September 13 through 19 is National Eczema Week, introduced to spread awareness and to help educate others. This week is meant to provide information about the disease and helps spread the message that it is more common and should be taken seriously. Le’Mia Spencer is only a teenager but she is suffering from eczema. She has experienced many of these symptoms for a very long time. Eczema is not a disease that goes away in a blink of an eye. It’s important to understand what others like Spencer go through daily, because understanding the disease can help us understand the struggles of those who suffer from it.