Other Types Of Eczema
Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin. Other types of eczema include:
- atopic eczema the most common type of eczema, it often runs in families and is linked to other conditions such as asthma and hay fever
- contact dermatitis a type of eczema that happens when the skin comes into contact with a particular substance
- varicose eczema a type of eczema that usually affects the lower legs and is caused by problems with the flow of blood through the leg veins
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2019 Next review due: 30 October 2022
Signs And Symptoms Of Ad That Can Develop At Any Age
Raw, bleeding skin or oozing
Scratching can lead to raw, irritated skin that bleeds. Sometimes, the skin opens and leaks fluids.
Deep lines in the palms
Some people who have AD develop deep, numerous lines in their palms. On light-colored skin, these lines may be slightly red as shown in this picture.
Skin infections
People with AD have a higher risk of developing a skin infection. Signs of a skin infection include yellow crusts and small, pus-filled bumps, as shown here.
Feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation
Studies indicate that AD can cause feelings of anxiety and depression The findings from these studies indicate the depression and anxiety are often due to the itch, painful skin, and problems sleeping. People living with AD also say that they feel self-conscious and sometimes ashamed when other people can see the AD. This, too, may lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, which can cause people to spend more time alone.
Some people have a higher risk of developing AD. Do you have a higher risk? Find out at: Atopic dermatitis: Causes
ImagesImages 1 and 13: Getty ImagesImages 2, 5, 6, 7: Used with permission of DermNet NZ. Images 3,4,8, and 9: Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
References
Conditions That Can Look Like Eczema But Arent
Evan Starkman Brunilda Nazario, MD
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that can make your skin irritated, inflamed, and itchy. Your doctor may call it atopic dermatitis, which is also the most common type of eczema. Youâre more likely to get eczema when youâre a child, but adults can get it, too.
The symptoms you have and where they show up on your body vary from person to person. You might have one or more of these signs:
- Red patches on white skin
- Gray or violet-brown patches on dark skin
- Oozing or crusty skin from scratching
Several health problems can bring on similar symptoms, so itâs important to talk to your doctor, a dermatologist, or an allergist to find out whatâs going on with your skin. They might tell you that you have one of these conditions that looks like eczema but isnât:
Psoriasis. This long-term condition is partly due to your immune system attacking your skin by mistake. Both psoriasis and eczema can bring on symptoms like:
- Red, scaly patches
- Dry, cracked skin
Eczema patches tend to be thinner than psoriasis patches. Another difference: Fluid can ooze from your skin with eczema.
Scabies. This contagious condition happens when tiny bugs called mites burrow into the top layer of your skin and lay eggs. You might have symptoms like bad itching and a rash that looks like pimples. Like eczema, you could also get scaly-looking patches.
Acne. This skin condition can take several forms, including:
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NHS: âSymptoms: Allergies.â
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What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like
Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.
Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.
In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.
Managing Eczema In Winter And Year Round: A Parents Guide
Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. Red, crusty, dry patches can be common on a baby’s skin, particularly in winter, and cause concern for parents. Such symptoms can be treated, however, and many babies and children do outgrow the dry, itchy skin of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
We spoke with pediatric dermatologist Katherine Puttgen to learn more.
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Molly Scratches Her Eczema In Her Sleep Without Meaning To It Has Woken Up Molly And Her Roommates Before
- sitting on their hands
- wearing mittens or cotton gloves
- finding distractions like playing video games
- trying to stop the itch by smacking, rubbing or pinching the skin as they hoped this would do less damage than scratching
- avoiding scratching by going out in public or spending time with other people who might find it impolite
Atopic Dermatitis Pictures In Adults
An exeme-like reaction appears only in acute periods. Atopic dermatitis in adults is less prone to an island-inflammatory reaction and less responsive to allergens. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis in adults are very clearly represented by skin itching. Combed skin becomes lichenified. Most patients trace the relationship between the onset of exacerbations and stressful situations. The nature of the rashes varies depending on the type of disease: for example, contact dermatitis is usually always dry on the body and sometimes wet between the fingers.
Severe atopic dermatitis on hands is expressed by characteristic dryness, roughened rough skin. Atopic dermatitis in adults turns into a lighter look in the summer and when visiting the southern resorts. However, due to contact in the warm period with many plants, their pollen, atopic dermatitis can occur in adults on their legs.
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When To Seek Medical Advice
See a pharmacist or GP if you think you may have discoid eczema. They can recommend a suitable treatment.
You should also seek medical advice if you think your skin may be infected. You may need to use an antibiotic cream or, in severe cases, take antibiotics as a tablet or capsule.
A GP should be able to make a diagnosis just by examining the affected areas of skin. In some cases they may also ask questions or arrange some tests to rule out other conditions.
A GP may refer you to a doctor who specialises in skin conditions if they’re unsure of the diagnosis or if you need a patch test.
What Can I Expect If Ive Been Diagnosed With Eczema
Nearly half of children with eczema will outgrow the condition or experience great improvement by the time they reach puberty. Others will continue to have some form of the disease. For adults with eczema, the disease can be generally well-managed with good skin care and treatment, although flare-ups of symptoms can occur throughout life.
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Where Can Eczema Appear On Your Legs
Most types of eczema can appear anywhere on your legs, including your thighs, your calves, and the backs of your legs.
Eczema is more common on joints and areas where the skin regularly stretches and bends. So, while it can appear anywhere, leg eczema most often pops up on the knees, hips, ankles, and feet.
Eczema is more likely to break out on dry skin, but sweat can also trigger a flare. Basically, eczema is an unpredictable little bugger. Who knows where itll pop up next?
Can Discoid Eczema Become Infected
Yes when patches of affected skin begin to weep and itch, the chances of that site becoming infected with bacteria are high, particularly if scratched. Sometimes a skin infection may spark off a flare of discoid eczema. If the surface has a yellow crust or is very weepy, the skin is probably infected and you should see your doctor to get treatment.
The condition can become more widespread if any infection is left untreated, while treatment of the infection can help clear up the eczema.
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Shampoos And Hair Products
There are several over-the-counter or prescription hair products that may help seborrheic dermatitis:
- salicylic acid and tar preparation products to remove scales
- dandruff shampoos, which may contain zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, coal tar, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole
- antifungal shampoos
Be careful when selecting shampoos for your hair if you have atopic or contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis causes sensitive skin. A certain ingredient might cause contact dermatitis or further irritate your skin.
Consider any additional hair products when managing your scalp dermatitis. Conditioners, gels, hair sprays, and hair accessories may all trigger symptoms. Be mindful about what products you use and eliminate any that may trigger dermatitis symptoms.
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
Reducing your stress is very important. Try these tips:
- Count to ten as you take a deep breath.
- Exercise daily.
- Try not to drink as much caffeine and alcohol.
- Sleep eight hours a night.
- Eat healthy.
- Try to have a positive attitude.
- Journal every day.
- Talk about your life with friends, family and a therapist.
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What Does Discoid Eczema Look Like
Another name for discoid eczema is nummular dermatitis, which means coin-shaped eczema. It usually appears quite suddenly on the first occasion, when one or two round or oval dull red patches appear, the size of a 50 pence piece or smaller. These patches start off with a slightly bumpy surface and fuzzy edges, usually on the lower legs, trunk or forearms, although hands and fingers can also be affected. Within a few days the patches often develop raised lumps or blisters which start to ooze, and they can become very itchy, crusted and infected. Later on, the surface becomes scaly and the centres of the discs clear, leaving the skin dry and flaky. At any time between 10 days and a few months later, other discs may appear, often in the same position on the opposite side of the body other patches may then come up in different places, such as on limbs previously not affected. Old patches that have apparently cleared up may also reappear.
With treatment, the condition can be improved in many cases, although discoid eczema does tend to recur and may leave pale areas and dark areas in patients with darkly pigmented skin. Usually, the skin returns to a perfectly normal appearance after several months, and scarring is very rare.
Diagnosis And When To See A Doctor
People who experience symptoms of eczema should see a doctor or dermatologist. Eczema can indicate a new allergy, so it is important to determine what is causing the reaction.
Eczema can also increase the likelihood of staph infections and have a severe effect on a personâs mental health. A doctor can recommend a treatment plan to manage symptoms and flare-ups.
There is no specific test to diagnose most types of eczema. The doctor will want to know the individualâs personal and family medical history. They will also ask about recent exposures to potential allergens and irritants. It is essential that people let the doctor know if they have hay fever or asthma.
The doctor may also ask about:
- sleep patterns
- any previous treatments for skin conditions
- any use of steroids
A physical examination of the rash will help the doctor to diagnose which type of eczema it is.
The doctor may also perform a patch test, which involves pricking a personâs skin with a needle that contains potential irritants and allergens. A patch test can determine whether or not someone has contact dermatitis.
There is no cure for eczema, so treatment involves managing the symptoms and trying to prevent further flare-ups.
Some treatment options for eczema include:
Some general tips that may help to prevent eczema flare-ups include:
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Taming The Immune Response
Prescription skin meds that calm an overactive immune system can treat eczema from atopic dermatitis. Doctors generally prescribe them only for short-term use in people whoâve tried other treatments that havenât helped. They have a “black box” warning due to a higher cancer risk. So ask your doctor about the pros and cons. A biologic medication called Dupixent, given as a shot, works on the immune system to treat atopic dermatitis.
How To Tell Whether That Itchy Rash Is Eczema Or Psoriasis
Eczema and psoriasis. They’re two of the most common skin conditions, but do you know the difference between them? While they may look and feel similar, they have very distinct causes and treatment for both can vary.
If you have itchy, red skin, don’t assume it’s eczema or psoriasis. Know your facts, first.
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Why Do Kids Get Eczema
Skin has special cells that react when they come in contact with anything that irritates them. They make the skin inflamed to protect it. If you have eczema, these cells overreact when something triggers them and they start to work overtime. That’s what makes your skin red, sore, and itchy.
No one is really sure why people get eczema. It’s not contagious no one can catch it from you and you can’t catch it from anyone else. Kids who get eczema often have family members with hay fever , asthma , or other things known as “atopic” conditions.
More than half of the kids who get eczema will also someday develop hay fever or asthma themselves. Eczema is not an allergy itself, but allergies can be a trigger for eczema. That means that if you have allergies to things like dust or animal dander, your eczema may flare up sometimes.
Aside from allergies, some things that can set off eczema include:
- soaps, detergents, or perfumes
- dry winter air with little moisture
- other things that can irritate your skin, like scratchy fabrics
Is A Cure Or Better Treatment For Eczema On The Horizon
Without a cure on the near horizon, we here at Johns Hopkins are creating an Eczema Day Treatment Unit to help our patients with moderate to severe eczema keep their symptoms under control and prevent flare-ups. We anticipate that this novel, multidisciplinary program will include experts from Child Life, behavioral psychology, allergy, dermatology and infectious diseases to provide the comprehensive care these children need care that cannot be provided in an average clinic visit.
A primary goal of the day treatment unit will be education children and their families will learn techniques such as wet-wrap therapy, to help deeply moisturize the skin. This therapy involves coating the skin with a topical ointment, followed by a greasy ointment like petroleum jelly, then dressing in wet pajamas, followed by dry pajamas, allowing the skin to soak in the moisture.
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Eczema On Lips Images:
Lip eczema occurs on or around the lips that lead to irritation, redness, skin inflammation, dry and flaky skin. While there is no cure for lip eczema, the condition can be managed by following the medications prescribed by the doctors. Ensure to get the patch tests, allergy tests done before reaching out to any conclusion. The irritants may include lipsticks, lip balms, cosmetics or creams applied on the lips. The condition may worsen if not taken proper care at the time when the symptoms just appear. Ensure to consult your doctors before starting any medications or change in daily regime as each individuals body is different and the medications may be changed from person to person.
Seek Emergency Medical Care For The Following Symptoms
Seek emergency treatment or call 911 for anyone who has a rash in addition to any of the following symptoms:
- a stiff neck
- paleness or discoloration of the skin that is blue, gray, or blotchy
- a rash that resembles small bruises or bleeding under the skin
- a rash that does not fade when lightly pressing a glass over it
You can check for color changes on dark skin by looking at the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, the insides of the eyelids, and areas of the mouth, such as the lips or tongue.
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How To Care For Eczema
Before self-treating symptoms, it is important to contact a doctor and receive a diagnosis. This is because some causes of rashes can be serious and may need medical attention.
Some treatments can also cause further irritation, especially with inappropriate use.
Once you have received a diagnosis, treatment options can help you manage the symptoms and even clear the affected skin.
Eczema Coping Tips Good Hygiene
Skin affected by eczema is more vulnerable to a range of infections, including impetigo, cold sores and warts. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus may cause a secondary infection of impetigo, and possibly contribute to the symptoms of eczema.Suggestions for washing include:
- Take lukewarm baths or showers, and avoid really hot showers.
- Dont use ordinary soap, as the ingredients may aggravate your eczema. Wash your body with warm water alone. For armpits and groin, use soap-free products, such as sorbolene cream.
- Bath oils can help to moisturise your skin while bathing.
- When towelling dry, pat rather than rub your skin.
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