Dermatitis eczema
Eczema and dermatitis are similar and describe an irritation or inflammation of the skin causing it to be red, itching and scaling.  

Genetic disease
Eczema is a genetic disease that arises from the interplay of multiple genes with environmental factors. While you can't control your genetic makeup, you can control some of the common triggering irritants that aggravate eczema. 

Dermatitis type
Eczema is generally broken into two main groups, inherited or Atopic Eczema and externally exacerbated eczema.   Plants, chemicals or other external irritants can induce eczema, either by irritating the skin or by causing an allergic reaction. There are diseases that look like eczema but are not (fungal infections, psoriasis, lichen planus and others) that take the skill of a dermatologist to diagnose. 

Hydrocortisone
Mild cases of eczema can often be treated with hydrocortisone. 

Moisturizers hydrate (get water back into the skin) and are very important in improving eczema. Eczematous skin does not retain moisture as well as non-eczema skin.  Remember that an ointment is thicker and takes longer to work into the skin than a cream and a cream is thicker and takes longer to work into the skin than a lotion. Cleansers and products for sensitive skin are also helpful for people with eczema. Severe eczema may also be associated with herpetic infections that your Dermatologist will want to aggressively treat.  Stronger topical steroids may also be prescribed. Oral antibiotics and even oral steroids may be given if the eczema is severe. 

Contact dermatitis irritants
Avoid skin irritants.  Wool and synthetic fibers, fragrances, perfumes, "strong" soaps and dry environments should be avoided. These will dry out your skin and may damage the skin barrier.

Dermatitis home remedy
Choose mild soap-free cleansers, preferably liquid, as these will gently remove dirt, excess oil, bacteria and cosmetics without damaging the skin barrier.

Dermatitis irritant
Eliminate all residual detergents in your clothes and bedding by adding less detergent to your laundry and doing a double rinse. You may also find that soap flakes are less irritating, and you should avoid using fabric softeners.

Home remedy for eczema
If you have eczema, a bath is probably a better choice than a shower. To minimize skin irritation, use only lukewarm water and stay away from perfumed products or bubble bath. Short baths  with applications of moisturizers after the bath or shower will help hydrate the skin.
 
Skin irritants
While some things that aggravate eczema - like winter weather - are certainly out of your control, you can avoid certain foods and skin irritants that provoke your eczema. 

Itching
Managing stress is also an important way to deal with this itchy skin condition.

Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergies can make your eczema worse. Some common allergens are metals such as nickel and chrome (often found in jewellery), perfumed products, preservatives in certain moisturizers or cleansers, lanolin, and rubber or latex products. Your dermatologist can perform a skin allergy test to help you determine what's causing the reaction.

Skin irritation
Eczema is aggravated by house dust, dust mites, moulds, pollen and animal dander. Try to eliminate these irritants by washing sheets at a high temperature once a week, vacuuming carpets and curtains weekly, increasing the humidity levels indoors, and keeping rooms as dust-free as possible.

T cell
Abnormalities in the immune response (T cells) have also been shown to aggravate eczema.