Eczema: Types, Causes, Ways of Prevention

Eczema is a common skin condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough, according to Dr. Magdy Badran.

Blisters may sometimes occur. The word "eczema" is also used specifically to talk about atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema. Certain foods can trigger symptoms.

Eczema can also be triggered by environmental factors like smoke and pollen. Eczema is not contagious, which means that a person cannot catch it or pass it onto another person. It can affect a person's mental health, which may lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Types of Eczema

There are different types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, discoid eczema, varicose eczema, asteatotic eczema, seborrheic eczema, and neurodermatitis.

Though there are several distinct types of eczema, it is possible to have more than one type at a time. All types of eczema cause itching and redness, but some may also cause the skin to blister, “weep,” or peel.

[caption id="attachment_99941" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Atopic Dermatitis[/caption]

Atopic Eczema

It is the most common type of eczema. It is characterized by chronic eczema, barrier dysfunction, and intense pruritus.

It is one of the most common skin diseases in industrialized countries, with a prevalence of 15% for children and 2–10% for adults.

The atopic dermatitis diagnoses are continuously on the rise, oscillating between 10% and 20% of the pediatric population.

It develops predominantly in early childhood: in 45% of children, symptoms appear before 6 months of age; in 60% of patients, symptoms appear before reaching 1 year of age; in 30% of children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, the disease will present itself before the age of 5; and in the remaining 10% of the population with atopic dermatitis, symptoms manifest between 6–20 years of age.

Even though it’s a common form of eczema, it’s also severe and long-lasting. Children with atopic dermatitis have a higher risk of food sensitivity. It exists with two other allergic conditions: asthma and allergic rhinitis.

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 and knees and on the face, neck, and wrists.

Scratching the patches can worsen the itching and make the skin ooze clear fluid. Over time, repeated scratching or rubbing can cause the patch of skin to thicken.

Triggers of flare-ups include low humidity, cold weather, extreme changes in temperature, irritants, such as detergents, soaps, perfumes, and fragrances, dust mites, animal hair and saliva, skin infections, including scabies, certain fabrics, such as wool and synthetics, hormonal changes, often before periods or during pregnancy and food allergies.

Loss-of-function mutations within the gene encoding the structural protein filaggrin result in a predisposition to atopic dermatitis.

Filaggrin is a key protein involved in skin barrier function, and this suggests the importance of genetic factors in the development of atopic dermatitis.

In addition to genetic predisposition, air pollution has been suspected to influence the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a reaction of the skin to certain substances. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include dry, red, and itchy skin that may feel as though it is burning, blistering and red bumps.

A person with atopic dermatitis has an increased risk of contact dermatitis.

There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis can result from repeated exposure to a substance that irritates the skin, such as acids and alkalis, fabric softeners, harsh detergents, solvents, and some shampoos.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when a person's immune system reacts to a particular allergens as glues and adhesives, latex and rubber, topical and oral antibiotics, fabrics and clothing dyes, some plants, including poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac, ingredients in some makeup, hair dyes and other cosmetics, certain metals such as nickel and cobalt.

Contact urticaria, also known as hives, is a less common form of contact dermatitis. With contact urticaria, swelling and redness usually happen right away after the skin comes in contact with an irritating substance.

There is a rare but serious risk of an anaphylactic reaction that can coincide with contact urticaria.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

It may cause small blisters. Dyshidrotic eczema usually appears in adults ages 20 through 40 but it can also affect children. People with contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis, are at higher risk of developing dyshidrotic eczema.

Dyshidrotic eczema seems to run in families. It usually occurs on the hands and feet and has characteristic symptoms, including intense itching and the appearance of small blisters.

Blisters typically clear up within a few weeks. Following this, the skin often becomes dry and cracked, which may lead to painful skin fissures.

Because of the association with seasonal allergies, the dyshidrotic eczema blisters are known to erupt more frequently during the spring allergy season.

There are some common triggers for dyshidrotic eczema: stress, pollen, and moist hands, and feet from excessive sweating or prolonged contact with water and nickel.

[caption id="attachment_99939" align="aligncenter" width="920"] Discoid Eczema[/caption]

Discoid Eczema

Discoid eczema, or nummular eczema, is recognizable due to the disc-shaped patches of itchy, red, cracked, and swollen skin that it causes. The discs typically appear on the lower legs, torso, and forearms.

Sometimes, the center of the disc clears up, leaving a ring of red skin. Discoid eczema can occur in people of any age, including children.

Known triggers and risk factors include dry skin especially in the winter, skin injuries, such as friction or burns, insect bites, scrapes and scratches, chemical burns, poor blood flow, cold climate, bacterial skin infections, certain medications, sensitivity to metals like nickel and formaldehyde.

Because nummular eczema (nummular dermatitis) can look like ringworm, it is important to make sure that it is not a fungal infection, especially if it is not responding to treatment.

Varicose Eczema

It often occurs alongside varicose veins. It happens because of poor circulation. Venous insufficiency occurs when the veins have trouble sending blood to your heart. This can lead to both varicose veins and varicose eczema.

Varicose eczema typically affects the lower legs and symptoms can include: hot, itchy spots or blisters, dry, scaly skin, weepy, crusty patches and cracked skin.

The skin on the lower leg may become fragile, so it is important to avoid scratching and picking at the spots and blisters.

Asteatotic Eczema

Asteatotic or xerotic eczema generally affects people over 60 years of age. This may be due to the skin becoming drier as a person ages. It is mainly due to water loss from the outermost layer of the epidermis.

This occurs because of a breakdown of the skin barrier due to genetic predisposition and injury by environmental factors. Asteatotic eczema can occur in anyone with very dry skin.

It is also a complication of inherited and acquired forms of ichthyosis. Ichthyosis is a family of about 20 skin conditions that lead to dry skin. People with this condition lose the protective barrier that keeps moisture in their skin.

Systemic causes include underactive thyroid, malnutrition (zinc and fatty acid deficiencies) and severe weight loss. Drugs can cause asteatotic eczema, particularly retinoids (acitretin, isotretinoin) and diuretics.

Asteatotic eczema typically occurs on the lower legs, but it can also appear on other parts of the body. Symptoms include: cracked, dry skin with a characteristic appearance that people describe as crazy paving, pink or red cracks or grooves, scaling, itching, and soreness.

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis, is a common chronic skin disease, affecting up to 12% of the total population, and women are more affected than men.

The cause of neurodermatitis) is unknown, but certain triggers such as an insect bite and stress seem to play a role. The nerves in the skin appear to be overly ready to tell the brain that there is itch.

Sometimes, neurodermatitis can occur with a skin allergy. It causes thick, scaly patches to pop up on the skin, these patches can be very itchy.

Although not life-threatening, it can produce an important psychosocial burden, sleep disturbance, and sexual dysfunction. Patients with neurodermatitis tend to have poor social skills and a lack of flexibility.

fASeborrheic Eczema

Seborrheic Eczema

Seborrheic eczema, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a very common skin condition that causes redness, scaly patches, and dandruff.

It most often affects the scalp, but it can also develop in oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest, and back. Genes and hormones play a role.

People of any age can develop seborrheic dermatitis including infants (known as “cradle cap”). However, it most commonly affects adults between the ages of 30-60 and infants under 3 months.

Common triggers for seborrheic dermatitis include stress, hormonal changes or illness, harsh detergents, solvents, chemicals and soaps, cold, dry weather and medications such as psoralen, interferon, and lithium.

Malassezia is a type of fungus that’s naturally found in the skin’s oils. It can sometimes grow abnormally, causing the skin to secrete more oil than usual. The increased production of oil can lead to seborrheic eczema.

Prevention of Eczema Flare-ups

Eczema outbreaks can sometimes be avoided or the severity lessened by following these simple tips: moisturize frequently, reduce stress, avoid sweating, avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity, avoid scratchy materials, such as wool and avoid harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents.

Be aware of any foods that may cause an outbreak. Avoid fragrances or perfumes. Use cooler water for showers and baths.

Dry or towel the skin gently after washing. Avoid scratching or rubbing patches of eczema. Moisture thoroughly and regularly with gentle, oil-rich products.

Wear clothing made of natural fibers and avoiding tight clothing. Take antihistamines to reduce itchiness further.