Every year millions of patients seek medical care for relief from eczema. What patients often do not realize is not everyone suffers from the same type of eczema. There are at least 11 different types of skin conditions resulting in eczema.
A recent article in the Health section on Self.com mentions the five most common, beginning with atopic dermatitis, which is what we are usually referring to when we use the term eczema. It’s important to know the different forms of eczema in order to establish the best treatment.
Atopic dermatitis, the stereotypical form of eczema, is most commonly seen in children but can also affect adults, especially adults who suffered from eczema as children. Itchy, scaly, weeping patches of skin that become crusty if scratched are classic hallmarks of this easily recognizable eczema.
Calming the allergic response, preventing infection, and infusing the irritated skin with moisture are goals in treating eczema. Eliminating products which are causing the irritation should prevent or lessen future eczema outbreaks.
Dyshidrotic eczema is characterized by small, itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the hands or the soles of the feet. Often corticosteroid creams are used to treat this distinctive form of eczema.
A skin injury suffered on the legs, torso, arms, or feet, followed by the appearance of little red spots and blisters eventually melding together into a coin shape is nummular dermatitis, also known as discoid eczema. Nummular dermatitis is often seen after burns, insect bites, or abrasions, and the coin-shaped patches may take months to fully disappear.
Seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrheic eczema, causes itching, flaking, and scaly patches on the scalp. It can also appear on the eyelids, ears, and other oily areas. Anti-fungal shampoos are frequently used to combat this condition.
A type of eczema associated with poor circulation is known as stasis dermatitis, or venous eczema. Swelling of the ankles is often one of the first signs of this form of eczema, which is usually seen in patients over 50.
The article can be found here [insert link]. This article is useful for patient education to help understand and identify the various skin conditions referred to as eczema, as well as recognize the characteristics, triggers, and different treatments appropriate for each type.
