The Ins and Outs of Eczema
Living with eczema can be a challenge. It is an irritating skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no cure for eczema, understanding more about its symptoms and triggers can help you manage your condition and lead a healthier lifestyle.
In this blog, we will explore the ins and outs of living with eczema, from learning what exactly eczema is to recognizing the signs and symptoms and understanding the different kinds of eczema. We’ll also discuss ways to identify potential triggers so you can avoid them in order to reduce flare-ups. By taking proactive steps like these, you may be able to lessen the severity of your eczema over time.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin ailment characterized by inflammation, resulting in symptoms such as itchiness, dryness, rashes, scaling, blistering, and skin infections. More than 31 million Americans are afflicted with some form of this condition. Eczema can manifest in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, with varying degrees of severity. Newborns can develop eczema in the first weeks or months after birth. Young children who suffer from eczema may have patches of excessively dry skin that can become itchy and even lead to blisters and infections from scratching. Furthermore, eczema can also affect adults, with the most common ages of adult eczema developing being in one’s 20s or after the age of 50.
Symptoms of Eczema
It is imperative to acknowledge that eczema and its manifestations vary considerably among individuals. The appearance of your eczema may not mirror that of another person. Furthermore, distinct types of eczema may occur in different affected regions of the body at different times. In some cases, individuals may misidentify symptoms of psoriasis as eczema, but it is vital to note that these are two distinct conditions.
Eczema symptoms almost always include itchy skin that can range from mild to severe. However, itchy skin is not the only symptom that presents itself in most people who suffer from eczema. Other common symptoms of eczema include:
- Dry, sensitive skin
- Inflamed, discolored skin
- Rough, leathery, or scaly skin that often appears as patches
- Oozing or crusting
- Areas of swelling
Individuals with eczema may exhibit either a complete set of symptoms or just a few. Some individuals may experience flare-ups while others may remain symptom-free. Eczema can manifest as red patches in individuals with lighter skin tones, while those with darker skin tones may experience eczema as ashen or grey skin, darker brown, or even purple in color.
Consulting with a healthcare provider, especially an experienced dermatologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating eczema, is the best approach to determining whether you have the condition.
The Different Types of Eczema
There exist seven primary forms of eczema, and distinguishing symptoms of one type from those of other types can pose a challenge. Multiple symptoms, causes, and treatments display an overlap. Below is an overview of the most frequently occurring styles of eczema.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, which accounts for over two-thirds of all eczema cases in the US, is the most prevalent type of eczema. Its primary symptoms include itching, rashes, and pain.
Contact Dermatitis
This iteration exhibits customary indications of eczema, however, its unique characteristic lies in its occurrence as a response to encountering an external substance.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema results in the formation of tiny blisters on the hands, feet, and edges of the fingers and toes. While this type of eczema is commonly known as hand or foot eczema, it is important to note that other variations can also target these specific regions.
Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis, a condition that affects 12% of the population, may be indicated by severe itching. Typically, the excessive itching leads to visible symptoms such as skin lines, scales, and discoloration.
Nummular Eczema
Scattered circular patches can be indicative of nummular eczema, also referred to as discoid eczema or nummular dermatitis. These patches may ooze or display significant dryness and sensitivity.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis typically impacts the scalp and is marked by persistent itching, a scalp rash, and various related symptoms.
Stasis Dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis, also known as gravitational dermatitis, venous eczema, and venous stasis dermatitis, arises from inadequate blood flow in the legs. The condition primarily affects the legs and may display symptoms such as skin itching, skin discoloration, and dryness.
Living with eczema can be a challenge, but understanding more about its symptoms and triggers will help you manage your condition. Taking proactive steps such as recognizing the signs and symptoms of different kinds of eczema, avoiding potential triggers, and consulting with experienced dermatologists are all great ways to reduce flare-ups. To take it one step further in managing your skin care concerns related to eczema, consider shopping Summers Laboratories’ collection of Cutemol cream products today! These creams have been proven effective at reducing dryness and itchiness associated with this common skin ailment. Get started on your journey towards healthier-looking skin now by browsing our selection online. We’re here for you every step of the way.
