Explore the various types of eczema, their hallmark symptoms, and practical treatment solutions.
Summary
The most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, typically affects infants with a family history of atopy (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis). Its symptoms include skin dryness, itching, and lesions like red patches, blisters, oozing, and crusts. Atopic eczema typically cycles through flare-ups with symptom onset or exacerbation and remission phases with few or no symptoms.
There are two types of contact eczema: irritant and allergic. They occur directly on the affected areas when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen (mainly the hands, neck, and face).
The diagnosis of contact dermatitis requires a consultation with a doctor (considering occupation, hobbies, use of topical treatments, etc.). Patch tests are the gold standard for identifying specific substances causing allergic contact eczema.
Chronic hand eczema causes skin dryness, red patches, itching, burning sensations, deep, sometimes painful cracks, or even bleeding sores. It is a type of adult eczema, typically work-related.
Dyshidrosis is a form of blistering eczema occurring in flare-ups. It is characterised by vesicles, possibly filled with fluid, on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet or the edges of the fingers and toes. It generally comes with intense itching, even burning sensations.
Nummular eczema is a type of chronic eczema characterized by coin-shaped lesions. These patches are generally found on the legs, arms, and hands. They are well-defined, sometimes oozing, and covered with crusts or scales.
This form of chronic eczema primarily affects areas of the skin rich in sebaceous glands like the scalp, face, and chest. The symptoms are red patches covered with dry scales that fall off as dandruff. These scales can also be oily and yellowish.
Also known as stasis dermatitis, this type of chronic eczema is due to venous disorders. The symptoms usually appear around the ankles or on the front of the legs: itching, redness, thickened and scaly skin, oozing, and ulceration.
In case of doubt, a doctor may prescribe a venous Doppler ultrasound.
The causes of eczema involve a complex interaction between several factors:
Certain types of eczema may be favoured by:
The triggering factors for atopic dermatitis, a genetic and environmental disease, vary from person to person. Among the most common are environmental allergens (pollens, moulds, dust mites), hypersensitivities and food allergies, irritants (soaps, tobacco), climate, and infections.
Irritative contact dermatitis results from direct exposure to an irritant that damages the skin, such as:
Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction related to skin sensitisation to a specific substance, such as:
Several factors exacerbate this type of chronic eczema: chemical irritants, water, cold and climate changes, repeated hand friction (e.g., chefs, nurses) and trauma, some medications, or skin infections.
Its main triggering factors are chronic stress, excessive sweating, prolonged exposure to moisture, seasonal changes, fungal infections, and smoking.
The exact causes of nummular eczema are not fully understood, but several triggering factors have been identified: skin injuries, infections, climate, certain diseases (thyroid disorders), and treatments.
While its exact causes are not fully understood, this chronic disease is linked to excessive sebum production in areas rich in sebaceous glands. This excess sebum promotes the growth of Malassezia, a fungus naturally living on the skin, creating skin inflammation.
Its favouring factors include hormonal cycles, certain diseases (HIV, Parkinson's, depression, eating disorders), medications, inadequate personal hygiene, alcohol, and diet.
This eczema is most often associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Its risk factors are thus age, immobility, overweight, leg injuries and trauma, history of deep vein thrombosis, and skin infections.
The prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis involve:
The treatment of contact eczema primarily requires identifying and avoiding the substances involved. When this is not possible, wearing protective clothing is essential. Emollients are necessary to moisturise and restore the skin's integrity, and doctors may prescribe high-potency topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Its treatment combines:
Treatments include the daily application of emollients to moisturise the skin and topical corticosteroids to reduce itching. A dermatologist may prescribe systemic treatments (oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, phototherapy) in severe cases.
Its treatment aims to restore the skin barrier by regularly applying emollients. Doctors may prescribe topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching.
Management is based on lifestyle changes (stress reduction, improved sleep, personal hygiene), skin moisturisation with emollients, antifungal medications (lotions and shampoos), and occasional topical corticosteroids.
Treatment involves managing venous insufficiency through venous compression. Applying emollients helps moisturise the skin, and topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation.
The clinical signs of atopic dermatitis are dry, scaly skin, itching (or pruritus) and eczema-like red patches of skin. These are often located in the folds of the elbows, knees and neck. These lesions may ooze, form scabs and gradually thicken.
The difference between a healthy skin microbiome and that of atopic skin is the diversity and balance of bacteria. A healthy microbiome has a wide variety of beneficial bacteria, providing an effective protective barrier. By contrast, atopic skin often shows a reduction in this diversity, with an imbalance favouring pathogenic species. This imbalance can alter immune responses, making the skin more vulnerable to irritation and infection. In short, the composition of the microbiome influences skin health, differentiating balanced skin from atopic skin.
References
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