The term eczema is a broad characterization of a range persistent skin conditions. Generally, it can be defined as a disease in a form of dermatitis (inflammation of the epidermis). Even though the different types of eczema vary, there is usually one or more of the symptoms present: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions. Usually, the term eczema is used interchangeably with the most common type of eczema, atopic dermatitis. Below is a list and characteristics of the most common different types of eczema.
Atopic eczema (also known as infantile e., flexural e., atopic dermatitis). The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis affect’s a large percentage of the global population. In fact, it has a hereditary component which is seen in some families. Atopic eczema is a chronic, allergic disease that is directly linked to asthma and allergies (hay fever). whose members also have hay fever and asthma. Common symptoms are itchy rash, redness, weeping, cracking, scaling, dryness, and scaling of the skin. This type of eczema is particularly noticeable on head and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks. Common triggers are seasonal allergies, food allergies, dry environment, cold weather, and exposure to certain chemicals in soaps, detergents, and cosmetic products. rising.
Autoeczematization (also known as id reaction, autosensitization) is a skin reaction to parasitic, fungal, bacterial or viral infection. It is completely curable with the elimination of the original infection that caused it. The appearance varies depending on the cause; itchy red skin and blisters are common. It always occurs locally, then spreads from the original infection.
Contact dermatitis is of two types: allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to some allergen, such as poison ivy or nickel), and irritant (resulting from direct reaction to a detergent, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, for example). Some substances act both as allergen and irritant (wet cement, for example). Other substances cause a problem after sunlight exposure, bringing on phototoxic dermatitis. About three quarters of cases of contact eczema are of the irritant type, which is the most common occupational skin disease. Contact eczema is curable, provided the offending substance can be avoided and its traces removed from one’s environment.
Dermatitis herpetiformis (also known as Duhring’s Disease) is a chronic rash made up of blisters and bumps that causes intense itching. The rash is typically symmetrical, found on arms, thighs, knees, and the back. It is directly related to celiac disease, and can often go into remission with the appropriate diet. The symptoms tend to worsen during the evening.
Discoid eczema (also known as nummular e., exudative e., microbial e.) is characterized by coin-sized round spots of oozing or dry, flaky skin rashes. It often appears on the lower legs, arms, and back, with a similar appearance of a blister. If this goes untreated, it may turn into a staph infection. It is usually worse in the winter.
Dyshidrosis (also known as dyshidrotic e., pompholyx, vesicular palmoplantar dermatitis, housewife’s eczema) only occurs on palms, soles, and sides of fingers and toes. Tiny opaque bumps called vesicles, thickening, and cracks are accompanied by itching, which gets worse at night. A common type of hand eczema, it worsens in warm weather.
Neurodermatitis (also known as lichen simplex chronicus, localized scratch dermatitis) is a type of eczema characterized by an itchy area of thickened, pigmented patch that results from habitual picking, rubbing and scratching of the skin. This is usually found in a localized spot. Often curable through behavior modification and anti-inflammatory medication. Prurigo nodularis is a related disorder showing multiple lumps.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis or Seborrheic dermatitis (also known as “cradle cap” in infants) is a condition sometimes classified as a form of eczema that is closely related to dandruff. It causes dry or greasy peeling of the scalp, eyebrows, and face, and sometimes trunk. The condition is harmless except in severe cases of cradle cap. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap, which seems related to lack of biotin and is often curable.
Venous eczema (also known as gravitational e., stasis dermatitis, varicose e.) occurs in people with impaired circulation, varicose veins and edema, and is particularly common in the ankle area of people over 50. The affected areas may have a dark pigmentation, light-brown, or purplish-red discoloration from the congestion and back up of the blood in the leg veins. Common symptoms are itching, redness, scaling, darkening of the skin. The disorder may lead to leg ulcers.
Xerotic eczema (also known as asteatotic e., e. craquele or craquelatum, winter itch, pruritus hiemalis) is dry skin that becomes so severe that it turns into eczema. This kind of eczema is triggered by excessive bathing and environments with low humidity, especially in dry winter weather. and limbs and trunk are most often affected. The itchy, tender skin resembles a dry, cracked, river bed. This disorder is very common among the older population. Ichthyosis is a related disorder.
There are also other forms of eczema overlaid by viral infections (e. herpeticum, e. vaccinatum), and eczemas resulting from underlying disease (e.g. lymphoma). Eczemas originating from ingestion of medications, foods, and chemicals, have not yet been clearly classified. Other rare eczematous disorders exist in addition to those listed above.
Types of Eczema