Synonymous with ECZEMA in all respects. Although many people think of the latter as due to ATOPY, there are many other causes. Susceptibility is genetic in some cases; in others environmental irritants and allergens are involved. Symptoms typically include itching, dryness or cracking and occasionally soreness of the skin. Physical signs include redness (erythema), scaling, and vesiculation (tiny blisters just beneath the surface of the skin). (See SKIN, DISEASES OF.)