Types of Eczema

There are several types of eczema that are inherent in our society. The word eczema comes from the Greek word meaning to boil over. It is a topical skin rash that includes eczema symptoms such as;

• intense itching
• a red rash
• dryness, cracking of the skin
• flaking
• blistering sores
• bleeding
• and oozing blisters

Eczema normally first shows up in children before the age of five and can last throughout their adult years. Below describes the types of eczema and an explanation of its rash.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis is also known as atopic eczema and it develops in early childhood before the age of five. It is a condition that generally runs in the family. You will experience intense itching, a red rash and a swelling of the skin. This type of eczema will develop on the knees, ankles, chest, neck, face and wrists. Patches can ooze or bubble up.

Signs and symptoms include: a rash, skin that swells, cracks, and is crusty or scaly, and extreme itching.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis is determined by two forms, irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. These types of eczema causes bumpy, swollen, dry or red skin. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused from contact with everyday objects that irritate the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused when an allergic reaction develops on the skin from exposure of these objects, such as shampoo, jewelry, detergents or food.

Signs and symptoms for contact dermatitis include blisters that can break and ooze. They are also itchy, swollen, dry or bumpy skin.

Hand Dermatitis

This common type of eczema affects mainly the hands, sides of fingers and the soles of the feet. It causes an itching sensation, blistering rashes and burning. Many people describe this eczema as having blisters that resemble tapioca pudding.

Occurring only on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet, this common type typically causes a burning or itching sensation and a blistering rash. It causes small bumps to appear on the skin along with an intense itching or burning, inflamed skin, cracking and peeling of the skin. Sometimes the affected area can sweat.

Other names for this eczema include; vesicular eczema, vesicular palmoplantar eczema, and pompholyx.

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis develops when the nerve endings within the skin become severely itchy, and irritable. It induces an itch so intense that no amount of scratching can relieve the symptoms. Emotional stress and insect bites are common causes.

Signs and symptoms include an intense itch that continues to intensify when itched or rubbed. It is commonly on the ankles, forearms, wrists, sides of the neck, legs, and genitals. The key to treatment is to stop scratching but the intensity of the itch makes it very difficult to stop.

Nummular Dermatitis

Nummular Dermatitis is also known as discoid eczema, nummular eczema, and nummular eczematous dermatitis. It often occurs after a skin injury, a burn, or insect bit. They are usually round or oval shaped lesions.

Signs and symptoms of this type of eczema include patches that itch and/or burn. Patches of skin that appears to be tiny reddish dots (or pink). They sometimes can leak fluid and then become crusty.

Occupational Dermatitis

Occupational Dermatitis is not one specific type of eczema. It is any of the types of eczema caused by a person’s workplace. This distinct classification came about because occupational dermatitis has unique causes and a large number of people develop eczema on the job. Other names include occupational eczema.

Symptoms include dry, raw and irritated skin, redness, swelling, scaly, cracks and blisters on the skin.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis also is referred to as seborrheic eczema, cradle cap, dandruff and seborrhea. It is normally found in the scalp but can spread to the face and other parts of the body. It can sometimes produce widespread lesions. Symptoms include: a form of oily or waxy skin, flaky skin and scales that can be either white or yellowish. Patches of these form of skin can appear in the scalp, upper lip, around the nose, armpits, groins, naval, hairline, under the breast and the upper back.

Stasis Dermatitis

This form of eczema is commonly called gravitational dermatitis, venous eczema, and venous stasis dermatitis. Symptoms of these types of eczema include leg pain, inflamed skin, patches of dry, scaly or oozing skin, reddish discoloration of the skin, violet color lesions on the affected area, and open sores that can be painful and heal slowly.

Stasis Dermatitis occurs when circulation becomes sluggish or poor blood flow causes the blood to build up, making the legs to swell. Treatment for this type of eczema must include treating the circulation problem as well as the skin treatment.

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