Itching and pulling sensations can be the signs of very dry or irritated skin, caused by factors such as age, genetics and the environment. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is an example of this process. Eczema is a pruritic dermatosis characterized by non-contagious inflammation of the skin that is accompanied by redness, fine vesicles, scales and itching. It can begin very early in life, and is observed even in infants. Sufferers experience periods commonly known as “eczema flare-ups” during which symptoms worsen. These outbreaks, of variable duration, are interspersed with periods of remission.