Eczema is a type of infection of the epidermis. An epidermis is an outermost skin layer of an individual. Eczema is usually a persistent skin disease that causes dryness or rashes of the skin.
Some of its common symptoms include skin redness, inflammation, dryness, itching among other conditions. It’s common for a person with eczema to experience slight skin discoloration. Usually, skin discoloration is the result of a breakout attempting to heal itself.
The effects of eczema are not always physical either since one suffering from it may be prone to bouts of anxiety or even depression.
Having said that, here are different types of eczema.
Types of Eczema
1. Atopic
Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease that causes the skin to become red, dry, itchy and cracked. It occurs mostly in children and often develops before their first birthday.
However, it may also produce for the first time in an adult. In most cases, this skin disease can affect the face, knee back, hands and the inside of the elbow. Breast eczema is a type of atopic dermatitis which makes the type of bra you wear a major contributing factor.
2. Contact Eczema
Its other name is allergic inflammation. It is an itchy skin rash condition that can develop when a person comes in touch with an allergen.
This disease mostly happens hours after an individual has been exposed to a substance that triggers the allergic reaction. This response can be in different forms, for example, he may have a running nose, burning eyes, a cough or even have difficulty in breathing.
Some common triggers of this condition include cloth dyes, metal buttons on jeans, different kinds of makeup, perfumes, and even beard oil.
3. Adult Seborrhoeic Eczema
A red itchy rash with flaky scales appearing on an individual’s scalp is a sign of Adult Seborrhoeic eczema. It is also called seborrheic dermatitis.
It is a common skin disease that looks the same as psoriasis or allergic reaction and can occur on an individual’s body as well as his scalp. There is no exact known cause of this skin condition but is caused by a combination of things including stress, cold and dry weather, etc.
Newborns and adults of thirty to sixty years of age are more likely to get affected by it. Also, the disease is more common in people with oily skin.
4. Infantile Seborrhoeic
Infantile Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common skin disease that usually occurs in infants of few months old, i.e., less than one year. This skin condition may appear suddenly to the infant between two weeks and six months after being born.
When it affects the scalp, it is commonly called cradle crap. The disease can also affect the ear, flexural fold, neck and nappy area. The exact cause is not known but is believed to be linked to developing sebaceous glands. It is not contagious, itchy and does not look far worse than it is.
5. Discoid Eczema
Discoid eczema also called discoid dermatitis is a long-term skin disease that causes the skin to become red, swollen, itchy and cracked in oval or circular patches.
If the infected person fails to get treatment the disease can last for weeks, months and even years. Additionally, it can also keep on recurring in the same area that previously was affected.
This disease can affect any part of the body. Its first sign is a group of bumps or small red spots appearing on the skin which then joins up quickly to form larger red, pink or brown patches ranging from few millimeters to several millimeters.
6. Pompholyx
This is a kind of hand or foot eczema characterized by blisters. Its other name is endogenous vesicular dermatitis and is of similar condition as dyshidrotic eczema. It commonly affects young adults and appears more frequently in female than male adults.
7. Asteatotic
Its other name is xerotic eczema. It is a form of skin disease that occurs when the skin becomes cracked, itchy and dry. The disease is usually found in older adults and commonly occurs on their thighs, lower legs, chest, and arms.
A person may develop its symptoms during winter period especially in the area with decreased indoor humidity.
8. Varicose
Varicose eczema is a skin disease caused by an increase in pressure in the vein of the legs. It affects older people and usually takes time to heal.
Steroids and moisturizers ointments are its standard treatments. Its symptoms include flaky or scaly skin.
9. Hand Eczema
Hand eczema is a skin condition that affects people working in hairdressing, cleaning and catering jobs where they may come in contact with chemicals.
Its symptoms include pain, itchiness, blisters redness, dryness, among other symptoms. Its other type is pompholyx which can cause small itchy blisters to appear on the hand’s palms.
10. Dyshidrotic Eczema
Reasons for this skin condition are not known. However, experts believe that it may be related to seasonal allergies, e.g., hay fever.
A person experiencing a high-stress level or has allergy has a high chance of developing this skin condition. Additionally one may also develop the disease if his hands or feet are often moist.
11. Nummular Eczema
People with this skin condition often see the appearance of distinct coin-shaped or oval shaped sores appearing on their skin. The skin disease can appear after an injury has occurred, e.g., an insect bite, burn or abrasion.
A person may start seeing one or many patches appearing which lasts for weeks or months.
12. Neurodermatitis
It is a skin condition that can start with an itchy skin patch. The itchy scratched circle can make the skin leathery and thick.
A person may develop various itchy spots, especially on the neck, thigh, forearm, wrist or ankle. This skin disease is not contagious or life-threatening.
13. Stasis dermatitis
It is a long-term chronic skin condition in which a person’s veins may have difficulty in transmitting blood from his leg back to the heart. This is due to the valves that have been damaged in the veins.
Its symptoms include heaviness or dull aching in the leg, swelling of the leg and even pain that gets worse when standing.
Conclusion
There are several things a person can do to prevent a flare up of eczema. Most of the common prevention methods are avoiding harsh chemical powders, detergents, and soaps.
Thus one is advised to purchase moisturized soap to keep his skin moisturized. He should also buy soaps with allergen control agents and if possible avoid using powders and perfumes.
