Eczema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Blisters may sometimes occur. "Atopic" refers to a collection of diseases involving the immune system, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin.
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can vary, depending on the age of the person with the condition.
Atopic dermatitis commonly occurs in infants, with dry and scaly patches appearing on the skin. These patches are often intensely itchy.
• Rashes commonly appear in creases of the elbows, knees, nape of the neck.
• Rashes cover much of the body. Rashes can cause very dry skin.
• Rashes can be especially prominent on the neck, face, and around the eyes.
• Rashes can be permanently itchy. Rashes can lead to skin infections.
The specific cause of eczema remains unknown, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
• Hot and cold temperatures, Foods, Stress, Hormones.
• Irritants: These include soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, juices from fresh fruits, meats, or vegetables.
• Allergens: Dust mites, pets, pollens, mold, and dandruff can lead to eczema.
• Microbes: These include bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, and certain fungi.
Atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema, is the most common type of eczema.
Atopic dermatitis tends to cause patches of dry skin that can become itchy, red, and inflamed. These patches often appear in the creases of the elbows, knees and on the face, neck, wrists.
Discoid eczema is recognizable due to the disc-shaped patches of itchy, red, cracked, and swollen skin that it causes.
The disc typically appear on the lower legs, torso & forearms. Sometimes, the center of the disc clears up, leaving a ring of red skin.
Varicose eczema is also known as venous, gravitational, or stasis eczema. It is common in older adults with varicose veins.
Getting older and being less active can weaken the veins in a person's legs. This can lead to both varicose veins and varicose eczema.
Dyshidrotic eczema, or pompholyx eczema, typically appears in adults under 40 years of age. It usually occurs on the hands and feet and has characteristic symptoms, including intense itching and the appearance of small blisters.
In some cases, the blisters can become large and watery. The blisters may become infected too, which can lead to pain and swelling. They may also ooze pus.
Blisters typically clear up within a few weeks.
Some people experience a skin reaction when they come into contact with certain substances. This is known as contact dermatitis.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include:
• dry, red, and itchy skin that may feel as though it is burning
• blistering
• hives, a type of rash that consists of small, red bumps
Asteatotic eczema, also called xerotic eczema and eczema craquelé, generally only affects people over 60 years of age. This may be due to the skin becoming drier as a person ages.
Asteatotic eczema typically occurs on lower legs, but it can also appear on other body parts.
Symptoms include:
• cracked, dry skin, scaling
• pink or red cracks or grooves
• itching and soreness