Eczema
A particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin in which there is erythema (reddening), edema (swelling), papules (bumps), and crusting of the skin followed, finally, by lichenification (thickening) and scaling of the skin. Eczema characteristically causes itching and burning of the skin.
Atopic eczema, which is also called atopic dermatitis, is a very common skin problem. It may start in infancy, later in childhood, or in adulthood. Once it gets underway, it tends not to go quickly away.
There are numerous types of eczema, including:
Atopic dermatitis — a chronic skin disease characterized by itchy, inflamed skin
Irritant contact eczema — a localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical
Allergic contact eczema — a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions
Seborrheic eczema — a form of skin inflammation of unknown cause that presents as yellowish, oily, scaly areas of skin on the scalp, face, and occasionally other parts of the body
Nummular eczema — coin-shaped areas of irritated skin most commonly on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy
Neurodermatitis — scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms caused by a localized itch (such as an insect bite) that becomes intensely irritated when scratched
Stasis dermatitis — a skin irritation on the lower legs, generally related to circulatory problems
Dyshidrotic eczema — irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the feet characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn.
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- Eczema vaccinatum
Eczema vaccinatum: A common concern with smallpox vaccination involving the implantation of the vaccinia virus from the vaccination into the skin of a person with eczema (atopic dermatitis), sometimes with a fatal outcome. Disrupted skin permits viral implantation. Once the virus is implanted, it spreads from cell to cell producing extensive lesions. The skin lesions […]
- Eczema, allergic contact
A red, itchy, weepy reaction that occurs where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions. Also known as allergic contact dermatitis.
- Eczema, contact
A localized reaction that involves redness, itching, and burning that occurs where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or an irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent, or another chemical.
- Eczema, dyshidrotic
Irritation of the skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet that is characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn.
- Eczema, nummular
Coin-shaped plaques of inflamed skin-most common on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy. The word “nummular” is taken from the Latin “hummus,” a small coin.