Eczema Treatment Care

In the first installment of this series, we discussed several major forms of eczema that affect approximately 1% of the adult population and up to 20% of the infant population. In this installment, we’ll talk about some of the rarer forms of eczema that can be more difficult to diagnose and treat. Although eczema is actually nothing more than a form of dermatitis, the condition itself contains several distinctions within that general category. Some of them are genetically based, while others might be related to allergens or other contact based forms.

The first form of eczema we’ll discuss in this part is dyshidrosis, which only affects hands, fingers, feet, and toes. It generally gets worse in warm weather and is marked by vesicles (tiny clear bubbles) on the skin that get worse during the evening hours.

Discoid eczema is a condition characterized by round oozing rashes that seem to most affect lower legs. They have well formed boundaries and the condition generally worsens in the colder months. Currently, the cause is not known, although the symptoms are generally sporadic.

Venous eczema happens to those with circulation issues or poor circulation. Some of those at risk for this are people with spider veins, varicose veins, and elderly people that are not active. Typical symptoms are redness and itching, although sometimes the skin can get darker. Unfortunately, many times this condition can lead to a case of leg ulcers.

Neurodermatitis is a condition that occurs as a result of irritating the skin via scratching and rubbing. Mostly, it happens in one place that the person has a habit of scratching. This is a behavioral issue that must be treated with psychotherapy or prescription medication designed to reduce inflammation.

Herpetiformis is a form of eczema that is related to celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the digestive tract. Symptoms of herpetiformis are itchy rashes on the body and limbs. Luckily, this can be treated by changing diet and treating the original condition.

Lastly, autoeczematization is a form of dermatitis that results as a reaction to an infection of bacteria or parasites. Certain fungi can also cause this condition, although that is rare. Like other forms of eczema related to contact with an allergen, this can be treated by curing the root infection.

As you can see, many of these different forms of dermatitis are marked by the same symptoms; however they generally result from a variety of different sources. Treating them can be easy once the correct diagnosis is made, however in some cases that can be difficult. If you think you have one of these conditions, then talk to your doctor for more information. Although you can find some OTC medications, your best hope for a cure is prescription medication.