Six Most Common Types of Eczema
You may not realize that there are different types of eczema. The determining factors in identifying them are the symptoms, location on the body and causes. The most common types of eczema in babies and small children are atopic eczema and seborrheic eczema. As we get older we may develop other types of eczema. Below are some of the most common types of eczema, along with their causes and symptoms, to help you identify possible triggers.
Atopic Eczema or dermatitis is a non-contagious, allergic skin condition most commonly found in infants and young children. This usually starts as a red rash on the cheeks, forehead and scalp, but can affect other areas such as creases of elbows, wrists, back of knees, thighs and buttocks. The skin can become intensely itchy, and could blister and weep before drying out and crusting over. In severely affected areas the skin may become rough and thick. Atopic eczema tends to run in families. It can be triggered by environmental factors such as house dust mites, pollen, cigarette smoke, and pet hair and dander. Allergies to certain foods such as milk, eggs and wheat can also cause atopic eczema.
Irritant Contact Eczema, unlike atopic dermatitis, is not linked to an allergy. The most affected area is the hands which can become red, dry and itchy after coming into contact with irritating substances. Persons most commonly affected are those workers who come into constant contact with chemicals. Examples of such commonly affected professions are hairdressers, nurses, cleaners, food handlers, mechanics, painters, decorators, and farm workers.
Seborrheic Eczema is a skin rash that tends to appear in the first few weeks of life. This rash is most obvious on the face and scalp, but can also be found in creases of the arms, legs and groin. It looks like thick, greasy yellow scales on the head, with red scaling elsewhere on the body, especially on the face, cheeks, eyebrows and behind the ears. In the creases, the rash looks moist and reddened. The only good thing about this type of eczema is that it is not itchy and so does not cause too much distress to your baby.
Allergic Contact Eczema usually develops within one to three days after contact with a substance or chemical which irritates the skin causing an allergic response. This type of eczema is different from atopic dermatitis in that the rash first appears only at the site of contact with the irritant, but can later spread to other areas. Like irritant contact eczema, the skin becomes red, dry, and itchy. Common causes are nickel (often found in cheap earrings, belt buckles and watch straps), perfumes, hair dyes, cosmetics, glues, rubber gloves, antihistamines and lanolin.
Nummular or Discoid Eczema is unique in that it consists of coin or oval shaped areas of eczema. It is usually found on arms and legs, and is often mistaken for ringworm. This type of eczema usually appears after an injury to the skin such as a burn, abrasion or insect bite. These patches can itch, burn, weep and crust. Certain risk factors such as a history of atopic dermatitis, very dry skin, poor blood circulation and injury to the skin appear to increase the likelihood of developing nummular eczema.
Varicose Eczema is a condition usually affecting the lower legs and ankles. People in their mid to late years are most likely to develop this eczema, possibly due to poor circulation, having varicose veins, and being overweight. Like the other types of eczema, the skin becomes dry and itchy. If not treated effectively, this condition can develop into skin ulcers.
To conclude, eczema is classified by different types according to location, causes and symptoms. If you suffer with a skin rash and think it may be eczema, then it is important to know what to look for so that you can avoid potential triggers. If you do develop a skin rash, you should immediately seek the advice of your doctor.
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