Different Patterns/forms of Eczema, according to the type (1)

Eczema is one of the very common skin conditions. Another word for it is Dermatitis ( Derma means skin, titis is inflammation).

About 1 in 3 people have had one episode in their lives. Some have to manage it throughout because it has remissions and exacerbation (flare-ups).

Note:

• I will be using dermatitis and eczema interchangeably.

Types of Eczema

There are 10 classifications for it. The classes are based mainly on their varying features, and Slightly on the type of the treatment.

In this post, I will talk about 2 common ones, and the remaining will be explained in the next post.

Atopic dermatitis

About 5% of the UK population suffer from this condition.

People with this type have 'atopy', this means that It runs in the same family.

Two more disorders are seen alongside eczema, these are asthma and hay fever.

Causes of exacerbations include infections, strong detergents, chemicals, cat and dog fur. In children and infants, dairy products, teething may exacerbate eczema.

Location and pattern:

It usually manifests on inner parts of joints(flexures), such as elbows, ankles, behind the knees and around the neck. The rashes look scaly, red(inflamed) and are very itchy. At the beginning of flare-ups, these rashes produce a fluid substance.

Eczema on the kid's legs, white background

In addition, people with dark skin may have this type of eczema on the outer part of the mentioned joints above, that is the knees, elbows, and ankles and the rashes are bigger in size and thickening of the skin may be seen.

Also, with the resolution of eczema, either darkening or whitening of the skin is seen before the color goes back to normal.

Treatment

• As it is a genetic disease, education and explanation is important for the affected individuals


• Identification and Avoidance of irritants and allergens


• Use of emollients, bath oils, soap substitutes


• Corticosteroid ointments, immune modulators


• The use of Antibiotics

Contact (allergic and irritant) Eczema

This type is very similar to atopic dermatitis except it is not genetic.

Furthermore, the reaction is seen in an odd part of the body such as around the neck, secondary to wearing a nickel necklace. The causes are mainly environmental/external.

For allergic contact eczema, examples of causes are nickel(in jewelry and buckles), cement, latex, perfume, clothes, and plants.

Irritant contact dermatitis occurs with exposure to chemicals in detergents, soaps, bleach. Cleaners, hairdressers, mechanics, nurses, stay-at-home wives are commonly affected.

Treatment is mostly preventive. This includes avoiding those substances that cause inflammation. In addition, changing jobs and hobbies may be required.

Stay healthy and thank you for reading

Yours in the flawless skin journey, Nafisah NK