Questions that torment you about eczema

Questions that torment you about eczema

The first question that probably comes to mind when it comes to eczema is, “What exactly is it?” And the second – “Is eczema contagious?”

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by chronic or persistent appearance of rashes, skin swelling, redness, itching and dryness. It is also not uncommon for lesions and blistering to occur. It is advisable not to scratch these rashes as this may lead to infection and further deterioration of the skin condition.

It is a fairly common skin condition. Nearly 10% of the world's population has been diagnosed with eczema at some point in their life. Among the dermatological complaints observed by dermatologists, 15-25% of them are some types of eczema.

With this prevalence, you may be wondering, is eczema contagious? The answer is no. Eczema is a non-contagious skin disease that is generally genetic and can be influenced somewhat by environmental factors.

As already mentioned, there are different types of eczema. It can be classified according to its prevalence, by the part of the body where it appeared (hand eczema, etc.), by its appearance or by the cause. To simply state the most common classification, below are the types of the condition based on their frequency.

There are two types under this classification – one is the common types of eczema and the other is of course the less common ones.

Among the general types are:

a. Atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis – is an allergic reaction that is generally considered to be genetic in families with a history of asthma

b. Contact dermatitis – is an irritation caused by either an allergen or an irritant. It can be treated and prevented as the underlying cause should be completely removed from the patient's environment

c. Xerotic eczema – it is eczema that develops from an aggravation of dry skin. The drought was so severe that it developed into a harder form. Cases are more common in winter

d. Seborrheic dermatitis – also called cradle cap. It is a condition that commonly affects newborns. It is closely related to scales.

Among the less common types are:

a. Dyshidrosis – a type of dermatitis also known as housewife's eczema. This type is commonly found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, fingers and toes. It is also closely related to hand eczema. Unlike other species, it deteriorates in summer or hot weather.

b. Discoid eczema – these are oval lesions and are also called nummular dermatitis, which means “embossed shaped” in Latin

c. Venous dermatitis or stasis dermatitis – often on legs with poor circulation

d. Atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus – a condition caused by habitual or compulsive scratching due to chronic itching, which leads to thickening of the skin.

e. Autoeczematization – it is a skin disease that results from infection by parasites, viruses, bacteria or fungi.

Knowing these types can help the sufferer determine the preventive measures they need to take. If you think you are suffering from any of the mentioned symptoms, it is still best to consult your dermatologist for the best and safest medical advice. Doctors are still the most credible people to answer your medical questions like “Is eczema contagious?” and other.

Inspired by Veronica Ayuste