Eczema is a common skin condition that often appears as a red, scaly, itchy rash, and can occur on many different parts of the body.
Types of Eczema
There are several different types of eczema.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema and is often described as “the itch that rashes.” Scratching can lead to redness, swelling, cracking, weeping of clear fluid, crusting, and scaling of the skin.
For most people with atopic dermatitis, it will begin during their first few years of life, with 90% of patients developing the condition before age 5. While rare, atopic dermatitis can appear at puberty or later.
While atopic dermatitis can be a lifelong condition, it often becomes less severe with age, and many children outgrow the condition all together. As the patient ages, the itchy patches will often develop on the elbow and knees, or in flexural areas such as the folds of the arms and legs. In teens and adults, patches of atopic dermatitis are typically dry, red to brownish gray, and may be scaly or have thickened skin.
Asteatotic Eczema
Asteatotic eczema is commonly seen in older adults, usually over the age of 60, though it is not unusual for adults in their 20s to develop the condition as well. It occurs when the skin becomes abnormally dry, itchy and cracked and can appear as red, dry flaky patches most commonly on the lower legs as well as the thighs, chest and arms. Asteatotic eczema is most common during the winter months, especially in areas where indoor humidity is decreased by heating.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is characterised by a red, scaly, itchy rash, most commonly found on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, and middle of the chest. It is probably related to active oil glands and also to an overgrowth of yeast that normally lives on the skin. It is a chronic rash, but can be kept under control with a good regimen.
Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is a rash that forms around the mouth. This rash is most common in young and middle aged women, though children and adolescents (both girls and boys) can develop this rash too. However, men rarely develop perioral dermatitis.
Periorial dermatitis appears as redness, swelling, and acne-like bumps that usually circle the mouth, leaving a think band of skin around the lips that looks normal. Many patients experience a burning sensation around the mouth. Sometimes the rash itches, and in other cases, the skin can peel and look scaly.
Treatment
For most eczemas, good skin care is of utmost importance. Further treatment will be based on the patient and the type of eczema present. Schedule an appointment with your provider to diagnose your specific type of eczema and develop a treatment plan.
