Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAtopic DermatitisContact DermatitisDyshidrotic DermatitisNeurodermatitisNummular DermatitisSeborrheic DermatitisStasis Dermatitis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Atopic Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis
Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
Neurodermatitis
Nummular Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stasis Dermatitis
There are seven different types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis,dyshidroticeczema, neurodermatitis, nummular dermatitis,seborrheicdermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. While there are some differences between each type, all of them cause dry, flaky, scaly skin, redness, and itching.
Eczema is a “catch-all” phrase used to describe a group of conditions that cause irritated, inflamed, and often itchy skin. It is a common inflammatory condition that may be experienced at any stage of life, from infancy through adulthood.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Atopic dermatitisis the most common form of eczema. It typically begins during childhood.
Signs and Symptoms
Atopic dermatitis often causes ared rashin the creases of the elbows and knees. Babies also often get atopic dermatitis on the scalp and cheeks.
Atopic dermatitis is common among people with a personal or family history ofhay feveror asthma as these conditions commonly occur together. Affected areas of the skin may turn darker and develop small bumps that can become infected if they’re scratched and the skin is broken.
Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Atopic dermatitis cannot be cured, but treatment can help decrease symptoms. This includes moisturizing the skin, managing stress, and avoiding triggers like irritating skin products, irritating clothing, extreme temperatures, and fragranced products. Topical treatment with steroids, crisaborole ointment, pimecrolimus cream, or coal tar can help reduce pain, redness, and itching.
Some people also try to improve their diet and avoid certain foods thatmay promote eczema.
Dietary changes might also include increasing your vitamin intake.Vitaminscannot necessarily heal eczema, but some vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K can help improve the ability of your skin to heal.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you or your child has red, itchy patches of skin that have not gone away within a month, you should schedule a visit with your healthcare provider to determine if you have atopic dermatitis and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Contact dermatitisoccurs when your skin comes in contact with an irritating substance. The two forms of contact dermatitis are irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
Urushiol, a substance naturally found in the sap and oils of Rhus plants, such aspoison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis.It causes red streaks with raised bumps. Other common triggers include fragrances and metals like nickel found in jewelry and belt buckles.
Irritant contact dermatitis typically causes burning and pain in the exposed area. Itching is the main symptom of allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis will more commonly cause dry, cracked skin, while allergic contact dermatitis can form fluid-filled blisters.
This may include:
If you suspect you may have an allergy to a certain substance, your doctor can perform skinpatch testing, where patches that contain small amounts of common allergens are applied to the surface of your skin. These patches are typically applied to your back or arm and left in place for 48 hours.
During this time, you should avoid bathing, showering, swimming, and activities that cause a lot of sweating. Irritated skin at the site of application may indicate an allergy to a particular substance that you should avoid contact with.
Allergic contact dermatitis localized to a specific area can be treated with topical steroid creams such as triamcinolone 0.1% or clobetasol 0.05%. If more than 20% of your skin is affected, oral steroid medications likeprednisoneare often required. They can reduce pain and inflammation within 12 to 24 hours.
Oral prednisone should generally be tapered off over the course of two to three weeks to prevent rebound dermatitis that can come back with sudden discontinuation of the medication.
Some people turn toantihistaminesfor symptom relief, but there is little scientific evidence to support their use in reducing itch or other symptoms, although they may help with sleep or a runny nose.
You should see a doctor if you think you have a skin allergy so that you can have patch testing performed. If your patch testing comes up positive for a skin allergy, your doctor can prescribe topical or oral steroids to treat your contact dermatitis.
Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis can worsen with a bacterial infection. If your rash has exudate or pus, weeping, or crusting, schedule an appointment with your doctor to receive further treatment.
Dyshidrotic dermatitisis a form of eczema that causes small fluid-filled blisters to form on your hands and feet, causing the skin to crack, scale, and flake.
This condition can result from a variety of different causes, including atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, systemic allergic reaction, fungal infection, excessive sweating calledhyperhidrosis, or as a side effect of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. The exact cause of dyshidrotic dermatitis is not fully known.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis blisters can be itchy or painful, but typically resolve over time as the blisters dry up and the skin peels and falls off.
When treatment for dyshidrotic dermatitis does not improve symptoms after two to four weeks, further testing should be performed to determine if a different condition is causing your symptoms. A biopsy of your affected skin area can determine if there is a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection causing your symptoms that requires further treatment.
Sometimes your face andgenital region can be affectedas well. Itching can come and go, and can vary in intensity. Neurodermatitis can also cause pain and hair loss if the scalp is affected.
While the cause of neurodermatitis is unknown, itching often begins or worsens during times of increased stress, anxiety, ordepression. Even when periods of stress stop, the itching can continue.
Effectively managing stress can help prevent and decrease the severity of neurodermatitis symptoms. Neurodermatitis rarely improves without treatment and requires treatment with topical steroids, oral antihistamines, and products like moisturizers andcoal tarto reduce skin redness, swelling, itching, pain, and dryness.
Neurodermatitis patches can become infected. If your skin lesions are particularly painful or do not improve in two to four weeks with steroid treatment, you should see your doctor to determine if you have a skin infection that’s delaying the healing process.
Nummular dermatitis, also called nummular eczema and discoid eczema, causes itchy, coin-shaped round patches of skin. It occurs most commonly on the arms and legs but can also affect the hands, feet, or body. Because of its round appearance, it can be mistaken forringwormor psoriasis.
While the cause of nummular dermatitis is unknown, it often occurs in people with dry skin, where there is an increased permeability of the skin to allergens. Nummular dermatitis is also associated with interferon and ribavirin therapy for treating hepatitis C and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor medication used to treatautoimmune diseases.
Tiny bumps and blister-like sores may appear after you injure your skin.For example, a scrape on the back of one knee could trigger nummular eczema bumps on the backs of both knees.
If you have adarker skin tone, your patches may appear brown. They can also appear lighter than your natural skin color. On lighter skin tones, the patches are usually pink or red. Regardless of color, these raised (and often scaly) patches can last for weeks or months.
Nummular dermatitis often heals on its own or improves with topical steroid treatment. Because it can be associated with other forms of eczema, those conditions should be treated first to help alleviate symptoms.
To prevent and treat nummular dermatitis, management should focus on regularly moisturizing your skin with thick emollients and avoiding activities that dry and irritate your skin, such as taking long hot showers, using harsh soaps and cleansers, and wearing tight clothing. Antihistamines like Benadryl and Vistaril can help relieve the itching.
Nummular dermatitis patches can become infected. If your skin lesions are particularly painful or do not improve in two to four weeks with steroid treatment, you should see your doctor to determine if you have a skin infection that’s delaying the healing process.
Seborrheic dermatitis causes itchy, flaky, scaly patches on areas of the skin that contain a lot of oil glands, calledsebaceousglands. These areas include the scalp, face, chest, back, armpits, and groin.
The condition can usually be diagnosed through a physical exam. However, your dermatologist may perform a skin biopsy to rule out other diseases if your condition does not get better with treatment.
Seborrheic dermatitis is treated with topical antifungal medication like ketoconazole for affected areas on the face and body. For scalp dandruff that results from seborrheic dermatitis, over-the-counter dandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, or coal tar can help minimize flaking and scaling.
Antifungal shampoocontaining ketoconazole can also be used at least two to three times a week for long-term management until symptoms subside.
Seborrheic dermatitis can be especially hard to treat for people who have compromised immune systems, especially those who have an HIV infection or AIDS.
If your symptoms have not improved with the above treatment methods after a month, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need further testing to determine if there is an underlying condition that’s preventing your skin from healing.
What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart.Normally, the valves in your veins make sure blood flows toward your heart. However, when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backward. This can cause blood to pool in your legs.
What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart.Normally, the valves in your veins make sure blood flows toward your heart. However, when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backward. This can cause blood to pool in your legs.
Stasis dermatitis skin lesions tend to be very itchy, which can increase the risk of skin infections due to chronic scratching. Discolored patches of stasis dermatitis often occur overvaricose veins(enlarged, twisted veins).
Stasis dermatitis is more likely to affect individuals who are sedentary, overweight, sit or stand for long periods of time, have heart problems or blood clots, or have had a leg injury or surgery.
A dermatologist can diagnose stasis dermatitis based on the physical appearance of your skin and reported symptoms. A Doppler ultrasound of your legs may also be performed to examine your circulation and check for ablood clotor blood vessel damage.
To prevent stasis dermatitis, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and move regularly throughout the day to promote circulation. Exercises like ankle pumps can also help support the return of blood flow from the legs to the heart to improve circulation, as can elevating your legs above your heart.
To reduce leg swelling, inflammation, and itching from stasis dermatitis, topical steroids can be applied to your legs. Wearing compression stockings or wraps can also help improve your circulation.
If you have any cardiac symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or significant leg swelling, you may have a heart condition that’s contributing to your stasis dermatitis symptoms. It will require further treatment from acardiologist.
Summary
All types of eczema cause dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It usually causes a red rash in the creases of the elbows and knees. Another type of eczema called contact dermatitis occurs when you come into contact with an allergen. Dyshidrotic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, nummular dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis are also types of eczema.
Eczema can be effectively managed if correctly diagnosed and treated accordingly. To help confirm an accurate diagnosis, it is helpful to keep track of what you eat, what skin products you use, what medications you are on, and whether you have come in contact with certain chemicals. Talk to a dermatologist if you have been treating your type of eczema but the condition is not improving.
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22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.Chang A, Robison R, Cai M, Singh AM.Natural history of food-triggered atopic dermatitis and development of immediate reactions in children.The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2016;4(2):229-236.e1.The Society for Pediatric Dermatology.Eczema and food allergies.Tang S, Ruan Z, Ma A, Wang D, Kou J.Effect of vitamin K on wound healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on preclinical studies.Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1063349.Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: an overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.IJMS. 2019;20(5):1119.Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis.Monroe J.Toxicodendron contact dermatitis: a case report and brief review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(9 Suppl 1):S29-S34.Usatine RP, Riojas M.Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(3):249-55.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema Types: Contact Dermatitis Overview.He A, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr.An assessment of the use of antihistamines in the management of atopic dermatitis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Jul;79(1):92-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.077Gangar J, Thiagarajan K, Veeraraghavan N.Pruritic Rash on the Hands and Feet.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(11):685-686.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic Eczema: A Common Cause of Palmar Dermatitis.Cureus.2020;12(10):e10839. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10839.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Neurodermatitis Signs and Symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Neurodermatitis diagnosis and treatment.Poudel RR, Belbase B, Kafle NK.Nummular eczema.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect.2015;5(3):27909. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.27909American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs & symptoms.Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(3):185-90. PMID: 25822272.Hashimoto T, Kursewicz CD, Fayne RA, Nanda S, Shah SM, Nattkemper L, Yokozeki H, Yosipovitch G.Mechanisms of Itch in Stasis Dermatitis: Significant Role of IL-31 from Macrophages.J Invest Dermatol.2020;140(4):850-859.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.09.012.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic venous insufficiency.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Statis dermatitis diagnosis and treatment
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.Chang A, Robison R, Cai M, Singh AM.Natural history of food-triggered atopic dermatitis and development of immediate reactions in children.The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2016;4(2):229-236.e1.The Society for Pediatric Dermatology.Eczema and food allergies.Tang S, Ruan Z, Ma A, Wang D, Kou J.Effect of vitamin K on wound healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on preclinical studies.Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1063349.Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: an overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.IJMS. 2019;20(5):1119.Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis.Monroe J.Toxicodendron contact dermatitis: a case report and brief review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(9 Suppl 1):S29-S34.Usatine RP, Riojas M.Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(3):249-55.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema Types: Contact Dermatitis Overview.He A, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr.An assessment of the use of antihistamines in the management of atopic dermatitis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Jul;79(1):92-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.077Gangar J, Thiagarajan K, Veeraraghavan N.Pruritic Rash on the Hands and Feet.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(11):685-686.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic Eczema: A Common Cause of Palmar Dermatitis.Cureus.2020;12(10):e10839. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10839.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Neurodermatitis Signs and Symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Neurodermatitis diagnosis and treatment.Poudel RR, Belbase B, Kafle NK.Nummular eczema.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect.2015;5(3):27909. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.27909American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs & symptoms.Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(3):185-90. PMID: 25822272.Hashimoto T, Kursewicz CD, Fayne RA, Nanda S, Shah SM, Nattkemper L, Yokozeki H, Yosipovitch G.Mechanisms of Itch in Stasis Dermatitis: Significant Role of IL-31 from Macrophages.J Invest Dermatol.2020;140(4):850-859.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.09.012.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic venous insufficiency.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Statis dermatitis diagnosis and treatment
National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.
Chang A, Robison R, Cai M, Singh AM.Natural history of food-triggered atopic dermatitis and development of immediate reactions in children.The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2016;4(2):229-236.e1.
The Society for Pediatric Dermatology.Eczema and food allergies.
Tang S, Ruan Z, Ma A, Wang D, Kou J.Effect of vitamin K on wound healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on preclinical studies.Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1063349.
Barchitta M, Maugeri A, Favara G, et al.Nutrition and wound healing: an overview focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin.IJMS. 2019;20(5):1119.
Mount Sinai.Contact dermatitis.
Monroe J.Toxicodendron contact dermatitis: a case report and brief review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(9 Suppl 1):S29-S34.
Usatine RP, Riojas M.Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(3):249-55.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema Types: Contact Dermatitis Overview.
He A, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB Jr.An assessment of the use of antihistamines in the management of atopic dermatitis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Jul;79(1):92-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.077
Gangar J, Thiagarajan K, Veeraraghavan N.Pruritic Rash on the Hands and Feet.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(11):685-686.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.
Calle Sarmiento PM, Chango Azanza JJ.Dyshidrotic Eczema: A Common Cause of Palmar Dermatitis.Cureus.2020;12(10):e10839. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10839.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Neurodermatitis Signs and Symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Neurodermatitis diagnosis and treatment.
Poudel RR, Belbase B, Kafle NK.Nummular eczema.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect.2015;5(3):27909. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.27909
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs & symptoms.
Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(3):185-90. PMID: 25822272.
Hashimoto T, Kursewicz CD, Fayne RA, Nanda S, Shah SM, Nattkemper L, Yokozeki H, Yosipovitch G.Mechanisms of Itch in Stasis Dermatitis: Significant Role of IL-31 from Macrophages.J Invest Dermatol.2020;140(4):850-859.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.09.012.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic venous insufficiency.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Statis dermatitis diagnosis and treatment
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