This dermatological condition is a dry skin condition. Although it varies from person to person, it often presents as scaling, flaking, itching, scarring, and redness. In more severe cases, this extreme itching can worsen the skin, causing it to crack, bleed, and leave open lesions. Dr. Cara McDonald, a dermatologist, shares her professional opinion on eczema. She says, “In all types of eczema there is a barrier defect in the skin. I explain to my patients that their skin with eczema is like having a brick wall, where you have lost all your mortar; all your bricks are just loose and stuff goes straight through them, rather than being watertight. Something as simple as a moisturizer will replace that mortar and stop the stuff from flowing in.” These open lesions pose risks to infection. This condition can make daily tasks painful, and difficult to complete.