Infections on the skin can make the problem harder to treat. Also, it is often wrongly diagnosed as harmless diaper rash and heat rash. Eczema starts out as an itchy red rash. In time, it will become dry, scaly and will have lesions. The rashes are often found on the face, the arms and the legs, most especially in the creases of the elbows, knees and ankles. If one or more members of your family had atopic conditions (dermatitis, asthma, hay fever), you have a good chance of developing the same. Pollution-prone places also increase the risk of the illness. Females are slightly prone to the disease than males. It also tends to be more common in higher social classes and in families that are smaller in size. Thus, most health experts believe that when it comes to this kind of problems, prevention is still the best course of action. Some also turn to the natural way of controlling this problem without resorting to taking medicines. Because eczema is usually caused by either an allergic reaction or a irritant, avoiding having the problem in the first place is pretty easy. Treating Eczema the Natural Way Eczema is a kind of chronic skin disease that is typically acquired by infants. This usually begins as rashes that itch. The skin when infected with this appears red, dry and scaly. Infants get this disease on their cheeks, knees or elbows. There are also some adults that acquire such, especially those who are under tough pressure and stress, and people who are exposed to chemical irritants and allergens. In infants, the itchy rash can produce an oozing, crusting condition that occurs mainly on the face and scalp, but patches may appear anywhere. Causes There is no known cause discovered yet on eczema. Scientists, however, have found links in the disease and the overactive response of the body s immune system to unknown triggers. Another possibility is the Xerotic eczema, which starts with dry skin and then progresses into eczema. Usually, this worsens when the air is cold and dry like in winter. This is also very common with older people. Another very common type of eczema is the Seborrhoeic dermatitis, which is characterized by the formation of dandruff on the scalp, the eyebrows and even on the face.