Eczema is a skin condition that can affect people of all ages, and it is usually persistent and difficult to be cured. Most people confuse atopic dermatitis as the only form of eczema, but actually there are other types of eczema that exist. Most of them can be differentiated in terms of areas affected, trigger factors, signs and symptoms. Even thought they are different, they still bring same effects-itchiness, irritations and rashes.
Most Common Types of Eczema
1. Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema. It is usually associated with people who have asthma and hay fever. Atopic dermatitis can be inherited and it affects both children and adults. Pruritis is the main symptom, which patients experience extreme itchiness that is commonly intolerable. Besides, dry, reddish and inflamed skin areas are also typically seen.
Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema. It is usually associated with people who have asthma and hay fever. Atopic dermatitis can be inherited and it affects both children and adults. Pruritis is the main symptom, which patients experience extreme itchiness that is commonly intolerable. Besides, dry, reddish and inflamed skin areas are also typically seen.
Due to pruritis, patients constantly scratch to seek relief. This then causes wounds which can easily be infected. If infection occurs, the affected skin may crack and release clear or slightly colored fluid. This is known as wet-eczema.
Treatments for atopic eczema include moisturizers to reduce itchiness, steroids to surpress inflammation and antibodies to cure infections.
2. Contact Eczema
Contact eczema is almost similar to atopic eczema except that it is more localized. This type of eczema develops due to prolonged contact with allergens that damage the skin. Based on the responsible allergens, contact eczema can be divided into allergic contact eczema and irritant contact eczema.
Contact eczema is almost similar to atopic eczema except that it is more localized. This type of eczema develops due to prolonged contact with allergens that damage the skin. Based on the responsible allergens, contact eczema can be divided into allergic contact eczema and irritant contact eczema.
Allergic contact eczema usually occurs when a person touches an allergy-triggering substances such as nickel, cosmetics and poison ivy. Nickel is the most common, as it is the main component of belt buckles, earrings, or buttons. In contrast, irritant contact eczema happens when the skin is in frequent contact with harmful chemicals found in many regular household cleaners like detergents. Both hands are the common skin areas affected by this type of eczema.
Treatments for contact eczema are almost similar to atopic eczema. However, the absolute treatment is to get away from the suspected responsible allergens. Besides, Wearing gloves can help to protect both hands.
3. Seborrhoeic Eczema
Seborrhoeic eczema is a type of eczema that appears on the scalp as dandruff. If it occurs in infants, it is known as infantile seborrhoeic eczema. In adults, it is refered as adult seborrhoeic eczema which generally affects adults between 20 to 40 years old. Seborrhoeic eczema is usually associated with rapid growth of a type of yeast that lives on the scalp, which then leads to rapid shedding of cells on the scalp in form of flakes.
Seborrhoeic eczema is a type of eczema that appears on the scalp as dandruff. If it occurs in infants, it is known as infantile seborrhoeic eczema. In adults, it is refered as adult seborrhoeic eczema which generally affects adults between 20 to 40 years old. Seborrhoeic eczema is usually associated with rapid growth of a type of yeast that lives on the scalp, which then leads to rapid shedding of cells on the scalp in form of flakes.
Seborrhoeic eczema is not accomponied by soreness or itchiness, thus it does not cause significant discomfort. In infants, it appears as cradle-cap which is very unpleasant to look at. In adults, this type of eczema is not limited on the scalp only, but also can spread to the face and ears before moving on to the chest area.
Treatments for seborrhoeic eczema vary between infants and adults. However, both include use of shampoo containing salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, or coal tar, antifungal and steroid lotions.
4. Dyshidrotic Eczema
This eczema appears on the hands and palms, characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn. The symptoms may worsen at night. Dyshidrotic eczmea can affect both males and females of any age and occurs in up to 20% of patients with hand eczema. It appears more frequent during the spring and summer and in warmer climates. Treatments invlolve use of cool, wet compresses and steroid drugs.
This eczema appears on the hands and palms, characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn. The symptoms may worsen at night. Dyshidrotic eczmea can affect both males and females of any age and occurs in up to 20% of patients with hand eczema. It appears more frequent during the spring and summer and in warmer climates. Treatments invlolve use of cool, wet compresses and steroid drugs.
5. Nummular Eczema
This is type of chronic eczema which is more common among elderly males. Its distinguishable characetristic is formation of coin-shaped red patches of irritated skin. It usually appears on legs, backs of the hands, forearms, lower back and hips.
This is type of chronic eczema which is more common among elderly males. Its distinguishable characetristic is formation of coin-shaped red patches of irritated skin. It usually appears on legs, backs of the hands, forearms, lower back and hips.
Less Common Types Of Eczema
1. Discoid eczema - Identified as round spots or dry rash commonly on lower legs, it becomes worsen in winter.
2. Venous eczema - Appears on people with problems of blood flow circulation. Symptoms are redness, itching and darkening of the skin that can develop into leg ulcer.
3. Dermatitis herpetiformis – It is associated with celiac disease. Intense itch and rash on arms, thighs, knees and back are common symptoms.
4. Neurodermatitis – An itchy area of pigmented eczema that results from scratching and rubbing.
These are various types of eczema that many people suffer from. Although they maybe different, but treatment approaches are almost the same. Avoiding allergens, applying emollients and using natural products are common recommended. If you want to know a systematic system regarding natural treatment for eczema, kindly click here.
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