AromatheraphyWhat are the different Types of Eczema?
Eczema, a skin disorder is a general term used for various types of skin inflammations. There are many different types of eczema, each having different eczema cause and eczema skin symptoms. Most of the types of eczema are caused due to allergens or chemical irritants. Let us discuss each type of eczema in detail.
Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Atopic Eczema is the most common type of eczema, which affects both infants and adults. This type of eczema is considered to be caused by an abnormal response of body's immune system. It tends to run in families who have genetic history of allergies like asthma, hayfever or food allergies. Eating certain foods may also trigger this type of eczema. The symptoms of atopic eczema include red, dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.
Infantile Eczema
When the eczema occurs in infants, it's referred to as infantile eczema. This type of eczema usually occurs in the babies between 2 months and 18 months old. Infantile eczema is further divided into 2 sub-types:
- Infantile Atopic Eczema
- Infantile Seborrhoeic Eczema
Infantile atopic eczema primarily affects the face, neck and ears. Infantile seborrhoeic eczema affects scalp area. It begins in infancy and may continue till childhood and adolescence. Many infants outgrow it before 2-3 years. Some children who develop infantile eczema will outgrow it by the time they reach their adolescence.
Contact Eczema (Contact Dermatitis)
Contact eczema, as the name itself suggests is caused when the skin comes into contact either with an allergen or an irritant. It is characterized by red, itchy and burning skin. Contact eczema is also divided into 2 sub-types:
- Allergic Contact Eczema
- Irritant Contact Eczema
Allergic contact eczema is caused when certain substances or chemicals irritate the skin and cause an allergic reaction. Irritant contact eczema is caused when the skin comes in contact with chemical irritants like detergents, harsh soaps, cleaning products or acids. Metals, cosmetics, jewelry, perfumes are the other examples of contact eczema.
Varicose Eczema (Stasis Eczema)
Varicose Eczema is most commonly found in middle-aged and elderly people. The risk of developing varicose eczema increases with the increasing age. This type of eczema is caused due to poor blood circulation and affects the lower legs. It primarily affects the skin around the ankles causing it speckled, sore, itchy, and inflamed. It can be treated with the help of steroid creams and emollients.
Nummular Eczema (Discoid Eczema)
Nummular eczema is an uncommon type of eczema that occurs in adults. It is rarely found in infants. It is characterized by round, coin-shaped patches of irritated skin normally on the arms, chest, back, buttocks and legs. It causes round patches of reddish colored skin, which may be crusty, scaly and itchy. The irritation is restricted to the round-patched area. Nummular eczema can be related to allergic contact eczema or atopic eczema.
Seborrhoeic Eczema (Seborrhoeic Dermatitis)
Seborrhoeic eczema is the common type of eczema found in infants below one year and also in some adults. In infants, it leads to scaling of the scalp and eyebrow regions and is referred as cradle cap. It usually begins as a greasy, yellowish rash on the scalp and can then spread to other areas. In adults, it appears on the scalp as dandruff.
These were some of the common types of eczema. The other types of eczema include Hand Eczema, Asteatotic Eczema, Lichen Simplex Chronicus and Dyshidrotic Eczema.