The National Eczema Association estimates that more than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema. Moreover, the American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that about 25% of children in the country have eczema. According to Dr. Wendy Long Mitchell eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become inflamed, cracked, rough, and itchy. If you fail to manage eczema, it may worsen, leading to various complications such as scalp problems, bacterial and viral infections, sleeping difficulty, and scarring.
For example, you may have trouble sleeping because eczema becomes so itchy at night. That may happen for different reasons, including that cortisol levels become significantly lower at night and as you sleep. Cortisol controls inflammation and itch. Thus, an itch feels more intense when the cortisol level is inadequate in the body. Avoid scratching your itchy eczema, as it can bleed and make you more susceptible to infection.
Consequently, below are the prevalent types of eczema.
1. Atopic dermatitis
As the most prevalent type of eczema, atopic dermatitis usually begins in childhood and may get milder or disappear by the time you reach adulthood.
Atopic dermatitis may exist on its own or alongside other types of eczema.
Common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include itchy and dry skin, cracking skin, inflammation and redness, and scaly skin.
Researchers believe that your atopic dermatitis may result from genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, you may be at risk of atopic dermatitis if you are stressed, consume foods you are allergic to, experience unexpected hormonal fluctuations, or are exposed to allergens like mold and pet fur.
2. Dyshidrotic eczema
This particular type of eczema mainly affects people aged between 20 to 40. You are also at high risk of dyshidrotic eczema if you already have any other form of eczema or suffer from seasonal allergies. Women are also more prone to dyshidrotic eczema than men.
One common symptom of dyshidrotic eczema is the presence of blisters on your feet and hands. The fluid-filled blisters may appear on the sole of your foot, palms, fingers, or toes. The blisters may be itchy and painful.
You may get dyshidrotic eczema due to exposure of your hand or feet to allergens and toxic substances like nickel and cobalt. Also, smoking, stress, and sweaty hands and feet may cause dyshidrotic eczema.
3. Contact dermatitis
If you have contact dermatitis, its symptoms will flare up when exposed to a toxic solution or substance that causes a rash. Common causes of contact dermatitis include latex, paint, poisonous plants, beauty and skin care products, bleach, and detergents.
Although contact dermatitis is not infectious, it can still produce uncomfortable symptoms. For instance, you may have red skin, blisters, and painful skin.
4. Nummular eczema
Also called discoid eczema, nummular eczema appears like other common skin problems such as fungal infection, ringworm, or psoriasis. You will know you have discoid eczema if you have round or coin-shaped blisters or skin inflammations. The term “nummular” in Latin means a coin.
Contact Manhattan Dermatology today for specialist diagnosis and treatment of your skin conditions.