Types of Eczema
Eczema, or dermatitis, is a disease that affects the skin, causing inflammation or irritation. There are seven types of eczema, the most common being atopic (also known as atopic dermatitis), which affects 10% of the world population. The condition causes itching, dryness and cracking of the skin. Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, the inside of the elbows, the back of the knees, the face and the scalp. Eczema is responsible for the appearance of rashes on the skin, which can present redness, itching, flaking, dryness and pain in the affected region. The disease develops as an immune system response to substances, ranging from chemicals to emotional stress. The treatment is simple and includes ointments, and changes in diet and habits and/or medications as prescribed by a professional in the field of dermatology.
Some people suffer from chronic eczema, having to deal with the disease during his/her entire life. However, because it is more common in children, the regularity of seizures may decrease over time, becoming more widely spaced as you get older. If your skin itches and turns red from time to time, you may have eczema. This skin condition is very common in children, but adults can also develop it. Each type of eczema has its own set of symptoms and triggers, but there are symptoms common to all of them: dry skin, flaking, redness and itching. In the acute phase, lesions may appear that have reddish spots with liquid-filled blisters on the skin's surface. When the bubbles burst, fluid leaks, characterizing the subacute phase of the disease. The secretion begins to dry and leads to the formation of crusts, typical of the chronic phase of eczema. Eczema is sometimes called atopic dermatitis, which is its most common form. “Atopic” refers to an allergy. People with eczema often have allergies or asthma, as well as red
and itchy skin. It usually begins in childhood and slows down, or disappears, in adulthood. Atopic dermatitis is part of what doctors call the atopic triad: eczema, asthma and hay fever. Many people with atopic eczema have all three conditions. In atopic eczema, rashes usually appear on the folds of the elbows or knees. The areas affected by these rashes may become lighter, darker or thicker. Small bumps may appear and, if scratched, fluid may leak. Babies often have rashes on the scalp and cheeks. It is important to be careful not to scratch yourself, as the skin may end up getting infected. Genetic factors, dry skin, low immunity, allergy to ingested substances, food or the environment can be causes of this type of eczema. Contact eczema is caused by a reaction to touch. Allergic contact dermatitis appears as an immune system response to a material, such as metal or latex. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by skin irritation after contact with chemicals or other substances.
Dyshidrosic eczema is common in adolescents and young adults and can be caused by mycosis, allergies, moisture in the hands and feet, emotional factors and exposure to substances such as nickel, cob or chromium salt. This type of eczema causes small blisters to form on the hands and feet. It is more common in women than men. In this case, liquid-filled bubbles form on the fingers, toes, palms and soles. The blisters can itch or hurt and the skin will peel or crack. Hand eczema, as its name implies, affects only the hands. It is common in people who work with chemicals that irritate the skin, such as hairdressers, those responsible for household cleaning and health professionals. The hands become red, dry and itchy, forming cracks or bubbles. Neurodermatitis is similar to atopic dermatitis. It causes thick, scaly patches to appear on the arms, legs, neck, scalp, soles, back of hands or genitals. The spots can itch a lot, especially when the person is relaxed or sleeping. They can bleed and become infected if the person scratches. Neurodermatitis usually affects individuals who have other types of eczema or psoriasis. Doctors don't know exactly what causes it, although stress can be a trigger.
Nummular eczema is different from other types of eczema and can cause severe itching. It is triggered by dry skin and an allergic reaction to insect bites or metals and chemicals. This type of eczema causes the formation of round coin-shaped patches on the skin - hence the presence of the term “numular”, which derives from nummus, or currency in Latin. Stasis dermatitis occurs when fluid leaks from weakened veins into the skin. This fluid causes swelling, redness, itching and pain. It is associated with the appearance of varicose veins and affects mainly the lower limbs. The underside of the skin may swell, especially during the day, when hiking. This type of eczema affects people with blood flow problems in the lower legs, forming varicose veins in the skin, which can become dry and itchy. There is currently no cure for eczema. Treatment for the disease aims to cure the affected skin and prevent the onset of symptoms.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc 20353273#:~:text=Atopic%20dermatitis%20(eczema)%20is%20a,been%20found%20for%20ato pic%20dermatitis.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9998-eczema
