Eczema is a clinical term that embraces a number of conditions with different underlying etiologies. All are characterized by red, papulovesicular, oozing, and crusted lesions at an early stage. The degree of these changes varies with clinical subtype. With persistence, these lesions develop into raised, scaling plaques. Clinical differences permit classification of eczematous dermatitis into: (1) allergic contact, (2) atopic, (3) drug-related eczematous, (4) photoeczematous, and (5) primary irritant forms. Most of these forms resolve completely when the offending stimulus is removed or exposure to it is limited, thus stressing the importance of investigating the underlying cause.