There Are Several Types Of Eczema
There are several types of eczema and treatment will vary depending on which type a person has. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for the type of eczema that is affecting you. Treatments range from topical medications to controlled UVB exposure that must be administered in a medical setting. Some types of eczema can be treated with over the counter medications while others will require clinical intervention. If your symptoms are severe you should consult your physician before attempting to treat the condition on your own.
Asteatotic eczema most commonly occurs on the shins of the elderly although it occasionally develops on the hands or body trunk. Symptoms include dry, cracked skin. Skin affected by ateatotic eczema has been described as “cracked porcelain” or a “dry riverbed.” If the cracks deepen enough, bleeding may occur.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It causes an itchy rash that is often dry in appearance. The skin may thicken and appear leathery if the rash is constantly scratched. The rash may appear anywhere on the skin, including the hands, feet, ankles, neck and face. The creases of the knees and the elbows may also become inflamed. Atopic dermatitis occurs more often in children than adults and often presents in combination with asthma. It has been dubbed the “itch that rashes” instead of the “rash that itches” because rubbing and scratching the itchy skin brings about the appearance of the rash.
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that is a reaction to some type of skin irritant. The resulting rash may be dry or blistering. This type of eczema is often treated with topical medications. Some resources use the terms eczema and dermatitis interchangeably, or associate eczema only with atopic dermatitis. Other sources use dermatitis to refer to a skin irritation caused by an external irritant whereas “eczema” is used to refer to skin lesions that arise from an unknown cause.
Dyshidrotic eczema usually affects the hands, although it may also appear on the feet. Small itchy pumps appear on the fingers. The bumps then develop into a rash. Dyshidrotic eczema is aggravated by physical or emotional stress, and tends to run in families.
Nummular eczema usually appears on the arms or legs. Red, scaly, coin-shaped patches characterize nummular eczema. The disorder’s’ name comes from “nummus” which is the Latin name for coin.
Seborrheic dermatitis affects the face, ears and scalp, causing pink or yellow patches covered by greasy yellow scales. The condition is exactly the same as cradle cap, which often affects infants. Seborrheic dermatitis is often mistaken for dandruff.
The National Eczema Association offers a wealth of free information about eczema. Many families and individuals have benefited from the eczema information that is provided by this valuable resource.
Glossary:
Atopic dermatitis: a medical term that is used to describe one type of eczema
Nummular: A type of eczema that produces red, scaly coin-shaped patches on the skin.