Eczema or atopic dermatitis affects adults and infants it does have a genetic link and stress can make it worse.

"Stress always causes more itching. It's important to live a stress free life as much as one can and that is difficult so sometimes we prescribe antihistamine pills that helps with itching," said dermatologist Doctor Paul Rappaport

Itchy, dry skin is a sign of eczema and commonly appears on the face, hands or eyelids.

A lot of women get this who are young mothers who are washing dishes and changing diapers. This tends to be aggravated with soap and water," said Rappaport.

Many people who have eczema also suffer from asthma and allergies like hay fever. Certain conditions make it worse.

"Over bathing. Using drying soup, being around cigarette smoke. Being in contact with tight clothing or wool tends to worsen it," said Rappaport.

When it comes to adults, in 80 percent of the cases, they have had it since they were infants. If you happen to get it for the first time as an adult, chances are it's going to come back.

"It tends to come and go, usually sometimes it is related to where one lives. If you tend to live in a more humid climate, then there is less of a tendency and eczema will could away but if you stay up here in the northeast in the winter, there is a tendency to reoccur seasonally once you develop it," said Rappaport.

Mild moisturizers and soaps are recommended. Cortisone creams like Topicort, is very effective.

"Long term use of cortisone ointments can be associated with side effects, so there's been newer treatments that don't contain cortisone and those include Protopic and Eladine," Rappaport said.