Nummular Eczema Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Nummular Eczema also known as Discoid Eczema or Nummular eczematous dermatitis is a type of eczema, which is not so common. It is an allergy-related disorder but not an allergy or fungus. Nummular eczema can occur at any age but is primarily found in middle-aged people and adults. It rarely occurs in infants. Nummular eczema occurs more frequently in men than women.
Nummular eczema often appears after a skin injury like burn, insect bite or abrasion and is characterized by a coin-shaped patch on the skin. It may cause a scaly, crusty, itchy and irritated skin. But the irritation is limited to the patched area. One or many coin-shaped patches may appear that may stay for years.
Causes of Nummular Eczema
The exact cause of nummular eczema is unknown but it can be related to atopic eczema or allergic contact eczema. Therefore a person having a family history of atopic dermatitis, asthma or allergies is at an increased risk of developing nummular eczema. The things that can worsen the condition include:
- Dry skin
- Changes in weather
- Cool dry weather
- Stress
- Soaps
- Detergents
- Wool
- Frequent bathing
- Topical medication
Symptoms of Nummular Eczema
Nummular eczema forms coin-shaped patches that appear on the arms, chest, back, buttocks and legs. They usually begin as a group of tiny red spots and blister-like lesions that enlarge and merge to form a reddened, itchy and coin-shaped patch that ranges from 2-10 cm in diameter.
New patches may ooze fluid and become crusty whereas chronic persistent patches become scaly. Patches are uniformly red or brown in the beginning but then clear in the center, forming a ring that resembles a ringworm infection. These patches often itch and burn and may spread to the trunk.
If the infection is caused due to Staphylococcus aureus, a yellowish crust may develop on the patches. Nummular eczema may begin with one or many patches. In some people the patches go away within a year while in others it may stay for years or recur for many years.
Treatment for Nummular Eczema
Though there is no cure for nummular eczema, there are many ways of controlling it. Treatment of nummular is largely focused on reducing the symptoms of eczema. The main goal of the treatment is to relieve itching and burning. Some of the treatment options prescribed by a dermatologist include:
- Taking baths by adding oil to the water and applying emollients regularly can help hydrate dry skin. It may also help in relieving the symptoms like itching and scaling.
- In case of persistent nummular eczema, tar preparations and topical corticosteroids may help in reducing itching and inflammation.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed in case of skin infection.
- For severe cases of nummular eczema, oral steroids may be prescribed.
- Applying moisturizers regularly, after taking baths may help especially in dry weather.
Prevention is a better cure. Therefore avoiding certain things that dry or irritate the skin like hot baths may help. Also, the things that can cause nummular eczema like harsh soaps, detergents or woolen clothing. All these treatment options may help in clearing the patches. But then to nummular eczema may recur.