A North East skin specialist says cases of eczema are increasing because of improvements to health and the environment.
Dr Willson Taylor, a skin specialist at the Woodlands Hospital in Morton Park, Darlington, believes cleaner conditions means the body's immune system has too little to do.
So instead of fighting off germs it becomes overactive - leading to skin inflammation.
He says cases of eczema have quadrupled in the past 25 years.
His comments come during National Eczema Week, which runs from 23 to 29 September.
Up to 15% of children have the condition, however about half of these children will be better by the age of seven years.
Dr Taylor said the condition can be treated with ultra-violet light therapy and ointments.
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