Thursday, September 4, 2008

Know The Different Eczema Types

Eczema is an inflamatory skin condition that can transform soft smooth skin into ruff, hard and itchy skin.

Eczema comes in many forms. Here are some common types of eczema.

STASIS ECZEMA - This type of eczema affects the legs of varicose veins sufferers resulting in possible irritation inflammation and staining.

ATOPIC ECZEMA - This type of eczema is common in babies' aged 2 to 18 months and can be a hereditary allergy. It is a very common type of eczema. In babies, weeping sores can occur if the pimples are scratched, these sores can then spread to the knees and elbows. Apply petroleum Jelly in mild cases. Severe cases require corticosteroid ointments. Your Doctor may prescribe Antihistamines to reduce the itching. It is also advisable to keep the baby cool and only use cotton clothing to avoid further irritation.

NUMMULAR ECZEMA - In this type of eczema, circular scaling patches or spots may arise anywhere on the skin. The cause of Nummular Eczema is unknown, however this type of eczema is more common in adults. Application of Corticosteroid ointment on the affected skin may reduce the irritation, but this is not likely to cure the condition. Symptoms can be seen on hands and legs. A common symptom of eczema is itching. The skin will appear rough and red.

HAND ECZEMA - This type of eczema will arise on your skin due to exposure to detergents or washing up liquids. Wear rubber gloves if you want to avoid such contacts. This may lead to burning and cracking of the skin. You can treat it with hand creams and in severe cases corticosteroid ointment.

Eczema has different conditions and forms and it can be mild, moderate or severe. In milder cases of eczema the skin will become red, itchy, warm and dry. You can treat it with cream and lotions. It can change becoming inflamed, cracked, itchy, scaly, crusty or bleeding. Your skin will look worst at this stage. If you are suffering from wet eczema then you might experience bleeding and weeping fluid from the patches. It is also called weeping eczema. People with this type of eczema feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Dandruff or adult seborrheic eczema can appear on other parts of the body. It is most commonly seen in adults between the ages 20 and 40.

The other type is varicose eczema that is commonly found in elderly people. In the middle age you may get discoid eczema.

Contact eczema may arise when a person encounters an allergy causing substance. It may appear from the contact of irritants such as an acid, a cleaning detergent or any chemical. The name of the eczema suggests the meaning.

Even though you may have identified the type of the eczema you are facing, it is still best to consult a good doctor to get a professional diagnosis and to begin treatment right away.

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