Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Weeping EczemaWeeping Eczema SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Weeping Eczema
Weeping Eczema Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Weepingeczemais a term used to describe eczema that has blisters. These blisters ooze or “weep” clear or yellow pus. Weeping eczema can occur with certain types of eczema or can indicate an infection.
Here is an overview of the condition, including the signs and symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Eczema affects up to 15 million Americans and is more common in people who have a history ofasthmaandallergies.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
There are many types of eczema. Some are prone to blisters and weeping. Weeping eczema may also happen if there is an infection in the skin.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidroticeczema produces tiny, itchy blisters. The rash is usually found on the hands and feet and can last up to a month before clearing.
Dyshidrotic eczema may happen once, occasionally, or be chronic and debilitating.
Nummular Eczema
Scratching patches of nummular eczema can lead to infections.
What Is Discoid Eczema?
Infection
All types of eczema are extremely itchy, which means that scratching is common. However, scratching can lead to infection.
Signs of weeping eczema that may indicate an infection include:
There are other signs of infection that go beyond the skin that you should be aware of.If you have these signs or symptoms, it can also indicate an infection:
When to Call a DoctorIf you have a weeping rash or other signs of infection, contact your doctor right away. In addition to your normal eczema treatment, you may require antibiotics or other medications to treat a secondary infection.
When to Call a Doctor
If you have a weeping rash or other signs of infection, contact your doctor right away. In addition to your normal eczema treatment, you may require antibiotics or other medications to treat a secondary infection.
The exact cause of eczema is not known.However, some factors can make people more prone to developing eczema, including:
In addition to being more at risk for eczema in general, there are certain risk factors that may make you more prone to developing a certain type of eczema.
How Does Your Age Affect Eczema?
You might be more at risk for dyshidrotic eczema if you:
You might be more at risk for nummular eczema if you:
How to Find Your Eczema Triggers
How Skin Damage From Scratching Can Worsen Eczema
Eczema is extremely itchy. People with the condition, especially children, often find it hard not to scratch the rash. However, scratching eczema can cause tiny tears in the skin. These openings allowbacteria,fungus, and viruses to enter and cause an infection.
Scratching an eczema rash damages the skin and can lead to weeping eczema and infections.
Depending on what your skin looks like and the symptoms you have, your doctor might want to order some tests.Examples of tests that can help a doctor diagnose eczema include:
Your doctor might want to take a bacterial culture to see if there is an infection. This test can also tell them which type of bacteria is causing the infection.
The Stages of Eczema
There is no cure for eczema. Treatment is focused on preventing and managing flare-ups of the condition. There are several approaches, and a person’s age and the severity of their eczema will determine the type of treatment used.
There are several types of medications that can be used to treat eczema, including:
How Is Eczema Treated?
Other treatments can include:
Natural Treatments
There are also several complementary medicine approaches to treating eczema, including the use of certain essential oils and supplements. Natural eczema treatments can include:
Can You Use Home Remedies for Eczema?
Somechildren outgrow eczema. In some cases, eczema does not appear until later in life. Eczema may occur infrequently or be chronic. Eczema is not curable, but treatments to prevent and control it can help people live with the skin condition.
Eczema affects the skin and can appear anywhere on the body. The condition can impact people’sself-esteem and confidence. People with eczema may feel too embarrassed to attend social events or everyday activities. Weeping eczema can make people feel especially self-conscious.
Tips for Living Well With Eczema
If you develop weeping eczema, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment for addressing the infection.
A Word From Verywell
See your doctor if you have weeping eczema to ensure it is not an infection that requires treatment. Even if you find it is not an infection, developing a treatment plan with your doctor to manage your eczema is important.
Talk to your doctor if you are having emotional difficulty with your eczema. You may benefit from therapy or group support.
How do you dry up weeping eczema?
Weeping eczema requires treatment. You will need to work with a doctor (usually a dermatologist) to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment of weeping eczema may include:
How do you treat weeping eczema?
Eczema treatments focus on the prevention and management of flare-ups. Treatments may include keeping the skin moist, avoiding allergens and environmental triggers, reducing stress, topical medication, and systemic medication.
If you have weeping eczema, you might require antibiotics or antifungals.
How long does weeping eczema last?
There is not a definitive answer to how long weeping eczema will last. Eczema is different for every person who has it. People with eczema also respond to treatment differently.
Weeping eczema is not curable. While some people will outgrow eczema—especially if they had it as children—others will need to manage flare-ups for the rest of their lives.
Can Children Get Eczema?
What is the fluid from weeping eczema?
The fluid from weeping eczema may be watery with a pinkish or yellowish color; this is normal blister fluid and no cause for concern. An infection may be present if:
Coping with the Emotional Effects of Eczema
10 SourcesVerywell 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.Cleveland Clinic.Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Causes, treatment & symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is dyshidrotic eczema?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is that eczema or an infection on my child’s skin?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What causes nummular eczema?.National Eczema Society.Skin infections and eczema.Lee J, Son S, Cho S.A comprehensive review of the treatment of atopic eczema.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(3):181. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.3.181Bieber T.Atopic dermatitis: an expanding therapeutic pipeline for a complex disease.Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2022 Jan;21(1):21-40. doi:10.1038/s41573-021-00266-6American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.
10 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.Cleveland Clinic.Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Causes, treatment & symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is dyshidrotic eczema?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is that eczema or an infection on my child’s skin?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What causes nummular eczema?.National Eczema Society.Skin infections and eczema.Lee J, Son S, Cho S.A comprehensive review of the treatment of atopic eczema.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(3):181. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.3.181Bieber T.Atopic dermatitis: an expanding therapeutic pipeline for a complex disease.Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2022 Jan;21(1):21-40. doi:10.1038/s41573-021-00266-6American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema 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.
Cleveland Clinic.Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Causes, treatment & symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is dyshidrotic eczema?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is that eczema or an infection on my child’s skin?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What causes nummular eczema?.National Eczema Society.Skin infections and eczema.Lee J, Son S, Cho S.A comprehensive review of the treatment of atopic eczema.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(3):181. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.3.181Bieber T.Atopic dermatitis: an expanding therapeutic pipeline for a complex disease.Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2022 Jan;21(1):21-40. doi:10.1038/s41573-021-00266-6American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.
Cleveland Clinic.Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Causes, treatment & symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is dyshidrotic eczema?.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is that eczema or an infection on my child’s skin?.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What causes nummular eczema?.
National Eczema Society.Skin infections and eczema.
Lee J, Son S, Cho S.A comprehensive review of the treatment of atopic eczema.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(3):181. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.3.181
Bieber T.Atopic dermatitis: an expanding therapeutic pipeline for a complex disease.Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2022 Jan;21(1):21-40. doi:10.1038/s41573-021-00266-6
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis and treatment.
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