Why Is My Skin So Dry, Itchy & Rough? The Low Down on Eczema

f your skin seems to be angry with you — it’s itchy, it’s dry, it’s cracked — you’re not alone. You, along with as many as 30 million adults and children in the U.S., may be suffering from eczema.

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that presents as itchy, dry, cracking, scaly and/or rough skin, and in some cases may turn up as blisters that weep fluid. It’s a condition that many people feel embarrassed about having, so if you feel stressed and upset, you’re not alone.

So why are you getting eczema, and what can you do about it?