Eczema, a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects around 15% of the population. Eczema is the result of an overactive immune response that triggers inside or outside the body. It usually starts before five years of age. Unfortunately, the specific cause of this skin condition remains unknown. However, they do know that genes and environmental triggers are often linked to its development.
Eczema, regardless of the type, is NOT contagious and can’t spread by physical contact. The general symptoms include dry, itchy, scaly, and inflamed skin. Everyone who has eczema will have similar symptoms; however, conditions might vary depending on the specific type of eczema a person’s dealing with.
Types of Eczema
There are six different types of eczema. Let’s break those down.
- Atopic Dermatitis: This is the most common form of eczema. Atopic dermatitis or AD occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to allergens or irritants, whether they’re inside or outside the body. Atopic dermatitis is a part of the triad or a group of allergic conditions that include hay fever and asthma. Because of the close link between the three issues, people who have one of the three are more likely to develop the other conditions. Common symptoms include scaly, dry skin, redness, itchiness, and rashes on the arms, legs, or cheeks. In some cases, there might be weepy or crusty sores during flare-ups.
- Contact Dermatitis: This type of eczema is more of an environment-based condition. It happens when a person’s skin comes in contact with an allergen or irritating substances that cause skin inflammation. Other symptoms may include itchiness, redness, localized burning sensation, swelling, a rash, and/or blisters. Triggers or flare-ups will typically appear on the hands and any other body part that comes in contact with the irritant. Paints, fumes, solvents, soaps, and some fragrances are a few of the triggers that lead to flare-ups. Since our bodies are different, some people won’t be affected by the same irritant or allergen.
- Dyshidrotic Eczema: Small, itchy blisters that appear on the edges of a person’s toes, fingers, palms, and the soles of their feet. These blisters can persist for up to three weeks before they start to let up. Dyshidrotic eczema commonly affects women more often, and it’s also associated with seasonal allergies. Stress, sweaty feet, hands, or exposure to cobalt, nickel, or chromium salts are a few triggers.
- Nummular Eczema: Nummular eczema is also known as discoid and nummular dermatitis. This type of eczema presents itself differently than the other types. People with this skin condition will develop coin-shaped lesions on the torso, arms, legs, and hands. These lesions may or may not itch. While some people have dry, scaly spots, others experience wet open sores. Insect bites, dry skin, certain metals, and reactions to skin inflammation elsewhere on the body are a few of the commonly known triggers.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis: This form of dermatitis usually appears where there are more oil-producing glands on a person’s body. This includes the nose, scalp, and upper back. Symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis range from dry, flaky skin to yellow, greasy scales and reddened skin. Unlike the other types of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis isn’t caused by an allergy. Instead, it’s associated with genes and hormones that contribute to the development of the skin condition. A few more common triggers are stress, harsh detergents, solvents, a compromised immune system, certain soaps, medications, and cold, dry weather.
- Stasis Dermatitis: This type of eczema is known by several names; gravitational dermatitis, venous stasis dermatitis, and venous eczema. Stasis dermatitis happens when there’s a problem with blood circulation in the veins, and pressure develops (typically in the lower legs). The pressure in the veins can cause fluid to leak out of the veins and into the surrounding skin, which results in the swelling of ankles and/or lower legs, scaling, itchiness, redness, dryness, and varicose veins. Severe cases of this form of eczema can result in open wounds, oozing, and possibly an infection. Severe cases of stasis dermatitis can leave soft and fatty tissue scarring and thickening of the skin due to the constant rubbing and scratching. This skin condition is often associated with a few other systematic conditions; high blood pressure, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and blood clots within the veins.
Eczema is more common than you might think. Many people experience it; the important part is that you use the best treatments for the specific type. Avoid irritants and allergens; it might be helpful to create a journal to track any potential triggers. There are also some incredible creams to help alleviate inflammation and itchiness.
