Eczema is an inflammatory disease of the skin, also called dermatitis.  Eczema ranges from mild to severe.  Atopic (allergic) dermatitis is its most common form. Abnormal functioning of the immune system leads to allergies and sensitivities to foods, airborne substances and chemicals and so results in inflammation of the skin.   

Eczema also has many other environmental and metabolic triggers.  Eczema sufferers are often found to carry a heavy metal burden.  Some heavy metals such as mercury impede certain enzyme pathways required for detoxification. This is one reason why many people with eczema flare up when they eat naturally occurring food compounds called salicylates, which promote detoxification.  Thus if there is a problem with processing toxins in cells, eating salicylates may result in a release of these toxic substances, which cannot be eliminated by the body.  This leads to inflammation and flaring up of the skin, which is the largest organ of the body, and a major organ of elimination.  Hence any problems with elimination and detoxification must first be resolved to recover from eczema.