Eczema
Eczema is a type of dermatitis affecting approximately 70 percent of the population in the United States. Eczema typically appears on the outer epidermal layer of creased skin, and on the face, neck and hands. There are different types of eczema inflammation that flare up when the skin is exposed to certain triggers. The symptoms reflect the type and cause of eczema that requiring specific treatments. These are discussed in the following sections.
What is Eczema?
A general description of eczema is inflamed and itchy skin rash. Depending on the type and cause of the eczema, the skin may differ in severity of redness, swelling, inflammation, cracking, irritation and painfulness. These symptoms also vary from person to person depending on their overall health and stage in the life cycle.
Types of Eczema
Although there are a number of kinds of eczema, six main types are prevalent and include:
- Atopic eczema
- Allergic contact eczema
- Irritant contact eczema
- Discoid eczema
- Seborrhoeic eczema
- Varicose eczema
Atopic eczema is the most common type, being mostly inherited and present in people with hay fever and asthma conditions. This form affects the skin creases behind the knees, on the elbows, inner arm, hands, face and neck.
Allergic contact eczema results as the skin’s sensitivity increases on exposure to certain substances causing an allergic reaction rash at the site of contact. Irritant contact eczema occurs when substances, such as chemicals, deplete the skin of moisture and oils resulting in irritated dryness and cracks.
Discoid or Nummular eczema typically affects the lower legs of elderly people with dry, red and itchy patches that are disc-shaped. This rash can also appear on the chest and arms.
Seborrhoeic eczema can affect infants (cradle cap) and adults appearing as dandruff and a greasy rash on the scalp initially from a combination of excess cell renewal and Malassezia or Pityrosporum yeast fungi present in the skin. With infection, the rash spreads across the skin. Varicose eczema mainly affects the lower legs of older people due to high blood pressure and poor blood circulation.
Other types include Asteatotic where fine cracks appear in the skin; Stasis where poor circulation causes swelling of the legs with itchy, red, weepy sores; and Lichen Simplex Chronicus from nervous scratching that results in irritated, thick and discolored skin patches on the neck, groin, wrists, and ankles.
Causes of Eczema
The types of eczema are therefore caused by genetics, other health conditions, chemicals, toxins or poisons, poor blood circulation, high blood pressure, excess cell renewal, multiplying skin yeast/fungi infections, nervousness and stress, and scratching. Common triggers are detergents, foods, plant poisons, insect bites and pet hairs.
Diagnosing Eczema
To diagnose the specific type of eczema and cause, doctors need to examine the affected skin area and symptoms, explore family history, current health and medical treatments, lifestyle factors, exposure to chemicals, and environmental triggers.
Treatments for Eczema
Eczema may not be entirely preventable, but it can be managed and treated. The management process includes avoiding:
- exposure to extreme temperatures
- strong detergents and soaps, including bubble baths
- chemicals and perfumed products
- irritating synthetic fabrics and harsh wools
- rubbing the skin dry and dabbing instead
- dry skin by using an aqueous cleanser/moisturizer to hydrate
- allergy inducing agents, like jewelry and plants
- dry air by using a humidifier when heating in winter
- pressure build-up in the legs
Medical treatments are prescribed according to the diagnosed type and cause. These treatments may include corticosteroid (steroid) ointment or cream for atopic eczema, oral antihistamines for allergic and irritant contact eczema, oral antibiotics for bacterial skin eczema, dandruff shampoo for seborrhea, antifungal creams for Seborrhoeic eczema, phototherapy with Ultraviolet light and laser therapy. For some, natural remedies like witch hazel, exposure to sunlight and sea water helps soothe symptoms.