The appearance of eczema - what does eczema look like?

The appearance of eczema - what does eczema look like?

Eczema is a medical term commonly used to describe various types of dermatitis or inflammation of the skin that can affect human skin. The physical signs of eczema vary depending on the type, but a common complaint for many sufferers is persistent itchy and irritated skin. Although signs of eczema are usually found on the face, neck, arms, and lower legs, they can also appear on other parts of the body.

Despite the fact that eczema tends to be temporary in many infants, in adults it can become chronic and cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. The exact symptoms, causes, and treatments of the disease depend on the type of eczema present on the skin. Examples of possible classifications are atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, stasis dermatitis, seborrheic eczema and neurodermatitis.

The most commonly diagnosed type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which affects approximately ten percent of infants and three percent of adults. This chronic form of skin irritation results in red, inflamed and itchy skin. In patients with atopic dermatitis, the skin reacts quickly and adversely to certain allergens, which also affects the skin's bacterial resistance. Genetics appear to play an important role in eczema, as many people who have it also have a family history of the condition.

Another form of eczema, contact dermatitis, affects many people every year and is mainly characterized by redness, itching and burning of the skin. This form is usually a reaction to an allergen or irritant substance that has touched the skin. For example, poison sumac is known to cause this type of dermatitis. Possible causes of contact dermatitis include detergents, cosmetics, cleaning products, clothing and even sweat. Although most cases are rather short-lived, there is a possibility that contact dermatitis can persist for a long period of time, especially if the irritant is unknown.

Seborrheic eczema is a skin condition of unknown origin that deals with problems such as dandruff, dry scalp, and infant cradle cap. Symptoms of this form of dermatitis typically consist of yellow, scaly, and oily patches of skin located primarily on the face and scalp. The skin may or may not itch. In acute cases, seborrheic dermatitis can eventually lead to hair loss. Possible triggers for seborrheic dermatitis include stress, weather factors and genetics. If oily skin is the underlying cause, it is important to avoid products that strip the skin of moisture as they are effective in worsening this condition.

In order to best treat the affected skin, the class of eczema must first be correctly identified. Depending on the type and severity of the disorder, symptoms can range from dry, red skin to flaky and leathery skin to cracking and weeping in the irritated area. Blisters, rashes and lesions may occur and in some cases infection of the skin may occur. Therefore, it is best to detect potential eczema early and treat it before it progresses further.

Inspired by Sandra Maria Stammberger