As a rule, it is a persistent disease, showing little, if any, tendency to spontaneous disappearance.
Is eczema influenced by the seasons?
Yes. With comparatively few exceptions the disease is most common and much worse in cold, windy, winter weather.
To what may eczema be ascribed?
Eczema may be due to constitutional or local causes, or to both. It may be considered, in fact, as a reaction of the skin tissues against some irritant, and the latter may have its origin from within or without.
Name some of the important constitutional or predisposing causes.
Gouty diathesis, rheumatic diathesis, disorders of the digestive tract, general debility or lack of tone, an exhausted state of the nervous system, dentition and struma.
Is a constitutional cause sufficient to provoke an attack?
Yes; but often the attack is brought about in those so predisposed by some local or external irritant.
Mention some of the external causes.