Atopic eczema – or dermatitis – varies quite a lot between individuals but basically what happens is that dry skin flares up and becomes very itchy and uncomfortable. Eczema is one of the most common chronic skin conditions in the UK. The itching from it can be so bad it can cause bleeding and weeping which increase the risk of infection. Night-time itching can disturb sleeping and cause intense irritability. Eczema is thought to be hereditary – suffers often have a family history of this, or related conditions such as hay fever and asthma.