There Are 7 Different Types of Eczema—Here’s What a Dermatologist Wants You To Know About Each of Them

After we take into consideration eczema, we’re almost certainly enthusiastic about it in its commonest kind—atopic dermatitis. However, because it seems, there are six different varieties of eczema that aren’t getting the identical kind of consideration. Whereas they’re all fairly comparable, therapy can fluctuate relying on the sort, explains Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis.

“Eczema is a broad time period that describes pores and skin characterised by irritation which will seem crimson, dry, itchy, or flaky,” says Dr. Garshick. “Though there are some similarities and overlapping options, there are various kinds of eczema which can be usually outlined by the particular location, look, and triggering elements.” Moreover, it’s potential to expertise multiple kind of eczema at a time.

Know that regardless of the sort, eczema can vary from gentle to extreme, and consulting a board-certified dermatologist is all the time useful.

“All varieties of eczema have the potential to be extreme, in that whereas the pores and skin manifestations might not seem that extreme, the related itch, particularly with atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, neurodermatitis, and call dermatitis can disrupt sleep and high quality of life,” she says. “Normally, all types of eczema can profit from physician intervention as a result of usually a prescription cream could also be wanted to calm the related irritation.” Study concerning the various kinds of eczema under.

7 various kinds of eczema defined by a dermatologist

1. Atopic dermatitis

“Atopic dermatitis is the most typical kind of eczema, after which one most individuals are pondering after they use the time period eczema,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s a pores and skin situation marked by crimson, dry, and itchy pores and skin that impacts infants, kids, and adults. Rubbing or scratching can really make it worse, which is why it’s usually generally known as ‘the itch that rashes.’ Whereas it might probably seem anyplace, it’s particularly frequent within the folds of the knees and elbows, also referred to as the flexural areas. It may be related to bronchial asthma or allergy symptoms and has a genetic element. Whereas it may be managed, for a lot of people it’s thought-about a persistent situation.”

2. Contact dermatitis

“Contact dermatitis is a sort of eczema that outcomes from the pores and skin coming into contact with one thing that may set off a response, which might both be an allergy or an irritation,” says Dr. Garshick. “Whereas it might probably seem crimson and flaky and be related to itching, it can be related to blisters [that look like] poison ivy. Whereas contact dermatitis can happen anyplace on the physique, it usually develops at websites that particularly come into contact with an allergen or an irritant, with frequent areas being the eyes or arms.” In case you expertise contact dermatitis, “it may be useful to think about patch testing to determine any particular allergens to keep away from them,” she says.

3. Dyshidrotic eczema

“Principally affecting the arms or the toes, this situation seems as little bubbles or blisters that may be very itchy. It may be extra frequent in those that wash their arms incessantly or expertise loads of sweating on their arms or toes,” says Dr. Garshick. “It could actually assist to keep away from extended publicity to water, which can imply sporting gloves when washing dishes and solely washing arms when obligatory. Moreover, it might probably assist to incessantly apply moisturizer to the arms, which I usually inform sufferers could be finished after each handwashing.” She says to achieve for thicker ointments and lotions over thinner lotions, however notes that “any moisturizer is best than no moisturizer.”

4. Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis is a form of next-generation type of eczema that seems if you scratch your current eczema a lot, it modifications your pores and skin. “Usually confined to a couple areas, in neurodermatitis the pores and skin is so itchy that the persistent scratching can result in pores and skin modifications, which might embody thickening of the pores and skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It usually happens in areas that may be reached such because the ankles, arms, wrists, forearms, and scalp. In case you break the itch-scratch cycle, the pores and skin can enhance.”

To interrupt the cycle and forestall dryness, Dr. Garshick says to maintain showers quick, use lukewarm water, and keep moisturized. “The drier the pores and skin, the itchier it’s. And since itching is a core a part of neurodermatitis, something to cut back the potential for itchiness could be useful,” she says. “Moreover, it might probably assist to maintain the nails lower quick to forestall scabs or cuts when scratching the pores and skin. I usually advocate my sufferers who really feel tempted to scratch preserve cream or ointment close by and attempt to rub the cream onto the itchy space, as a substitute of scratching.” She provides that this type of eczema can profit from sure varieties of systemic drugs like injections and oral drugs.

5. Nummular eczema

“Any such eczema seems as discoid, or round, ‘coin-like’ patches on the physique,” she says. “It usually happens within the setting of dry pores and skin and could be related to an itching and burning sensation. Whereas it does reply effectively to therapy, it might probably come again.”

Because it’s usually related to dry pores and skin, “it may be particularly vital to recollect to moisturize the pores and skin, ideally lotions or ointments, fairly than lotions to assist entice moisture in,” says Dr. Garshick. “If it isn’t bettering, it’s best to talk with a board-certified dermatologist to see if it requires a prescription or whether it is associated to a pores and skin allergy or if it might be a special prognosis.”

6. Seborrheic dermatitis

“Any such eczema which might have an effect on the scalp, face, chest, and groin usually seems the place there are loads of sebaceous glands,” says Dr. Garshick. “It could actually seem as dandruff, with flaking, or could be related to redness and itching. Whereas a number of the remedies could also be much like different varieties of eczema in that you just use a topical steroid, it might additionally profit from anti-fungal remedies resembling antifungal shampoos to cut back the yeast which can be driving the method.”

7. Stasis dermatitis

“Any such eczema usually happens on the decrease legs and outcomes from poor circulation within the decrease legs, which can trigger decrease leg swelling, and might seem as crimson, flaky, and dry patches involving the pores and skin on the decrease legs,” says Dr. Garshick. “On this case, it may be vital to not simply deal with the pores and skin, but additionally the underlying reason behind the decrease leg swelling.” Moreover, it might probably additionally assist to put on compression stockings to cut back decrease leg swelling.”

Greatest merchandise to make use of when treating all seven varieties of eczema

Whereas a number of the remedies for eczema could be the similar no matter its kind, that isn’t true throughout the board. Relying on what kind of eczema you’re experiencing, there could also be a special method to therapy that’s simpler than what works for traditional atopic dermatitis.

“As a result of it may be laborious to tell apart the various kinds of eczema, it’s best to test with a board-certified dermatologist to ascertain a prognosis and therapy plan,” says Dr. Garshick. She says that typically, derms carry out a pores and skin biopsy to find out the sort. “For all seven varieties of eczema, there are therapy choices accessible that a physician can prescribe or carry out, which can embody topical lotions or ointments resembling topical steroids or non-steroidals, oral drugs, gentle remedy, or injections.

That mentioned, so long as you bear in mind particular care notes in your kind (or sorts) or eczema, you’ll be able to comply with a normal eczema-care routine. “Many types of eczema do profit from merchandise which can be mild on the pores and skin, merchandise that moisturize, and people who assist to strengthen and help the pores and skin barrier,” says Dr. Garshick. Store a number of of her favorites under.

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