Eczema: Watch out for these six types of the itchy skin condition
ECZEMA is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin. The most common type of eczema, which is most often associated with the general term, is atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. However, there are also other forms of eczema, which have differing symptoms.
Eczema: What are the symptoms and treatment
These are the six different types of eczema.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic eczema causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, sore and cracked. It is more common in children than adults, but can also develop in adulthood.
It is a long-term condition, but can improve significantly or even clear completely in some children as they get older.
Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema, but there are several other types
Some people only have small patches of atopic eczema, but others may experience widespread red, inflamed skin all over the body.
Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children.
People with atopic eczema usually have periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe.
Discoid dermatitis
Discoid eczema is similar to atopic eczema in that it is a long-term condition causing skin to become itchy, reddened and cracked, but it usually forms in circular or oval patches.
Discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or even years and may also keep recurring.
It can affect any part of the body, although it doesn’t usually affect the face or scalp.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance, causing the skin to become red, blistered, dry and cracked.
It usually improves or clears up completely if the substance causing the problem is identified and avoided.
Varicose eczema
Varicose eczema is a long-term skin condition affecting the lower legs, and is common in people with varicose veins.
Varicose eczema tends to be a long-term problem, with symptoms including itchy, red, swollen, dry, flaky, scaly or crusty skin.
Your legs may also become swollen and brown discolouration of the skin may occur. It may also cause the skin to become tender, tight and painful, while small, white scars may also appear.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic eczema is associated with an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, causing the scalp, ears, eyebrows and sides of the nose to become scaly, itchy and red.
In babies it’s called cradle cap, and in adults it can cause dandruff.
Pompholyx
Pompholyx, or dyshidrotic eczema, causes tiny blisters to develop across the fingers, palms of the hands and sometimes the soles of the feet.
The blisters will usually heal within a few weeks, and the skin tends to become dry and crack or peel as it starts to heal.