Understanding the Various Forms of Eczema

In the United States, more than 31 million people — including infants, children, teens, and adults — live with eczema, an inflammatory skin condition characterized by periodic “symptom flares.” An eczema flare can lead to the emergence of:    

• Dry, scaly patches
• Itchy, raised rashes
• Localized swelling 
• Flaky or crusty skin
• Blisters and sores

As board-certified dermatologists specializing in helping people of all ages control and reduce eczema symptom flares, our expert team at Florida Dermatology Associates wants you to know that effective eczema management begins with a better understanding of your specific eczema diagnosis. Here, we take a closer look at all seven eczema types. 

Understanding eczema 

Eczema is an umbrella medical term for chronic inflammatory skin conditions that damage skin barrier function — or the “glue” that holds your dermal cells together and keeps your skin moist and healthy. When this all-important barrier weakens, your skin becomes drier, more sensitive, and more susceptible to infection. 

There’s no single underlying cause of eczema. Instead, experts surmise that a combination of factors — specifically, an interaction between your genes, environment, and immune system — contribute to its development. When irritants or allergens “switch on” the immune system, it triggers an inflammatory eczema “flare-up” on the skin surface. 

Itchy, inflamed rashes and discolored patches are the most prevalent eczema symptoms. These symptoms tend to intensify at night, causing an overwhelming urge to itch, making it hard to sleep. Indeed, up to 30% of adults with eczema say that persistent sleep disturbance ranks as one of the condition’s most burdensome symptoms. 

Seven forms of eczema 

Eczema is most common among children but can appear at any age, including late adulthood. One in 10 people develop some form of eczema during their lifetime. 

Of the seven forms of eczema, two types — atopic and contact dermatitis — are responsible for most cases. It’s possible, however, to have more than one type of eczema, and having one type increases your risk of developing another kind.  

1. Atopic dermatitis 

As the most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD) typically affects infants and young children — most AD cases emerge before the age of five. It causes inflammatory flare-ups of itchy, dry skin, usually in response to a trigger like cold weather, allergies, or stress. 

 Children with AD are more likely to have food sensitivities, environmental allergies (i.e., hay fever), and asthma, too. Some children “outgrow” AD, while others experience significant improvement with age. Severe childhood AD is more likely to persist into adulthood.   

2. Contact dermatitis 

Another widespread form of eczema is contact dermatitis, also known as allergic contact dermatitis. It’s so prevalent that virtually everyone experiences it at some point; washing your hands too often can result in temporary contact dermatitis. 

 With this eczema type, physical contact with an environmental trigger causes symptom flare-ups that compromise skin barrier function. Common contact irritants include soap, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer, and cleaning fluids.   

3. Seborrheic dermatitis 

This inflammatory form of eczema causes flare-ups of dry, itchy patches on skin areas — typically the scalp — with numerous oil-producing glands. Discolored rashes and excessive dandruff are common with seborrheic dermatitis.  

4. Neurodermatitis 

Also known as discoid eczema, neurodermatitis isn’t widespread like AD or contact dermatitis. Instead, it causes dry, exceptionally itchy patches on small, contained areas of skin. 

 This eczema is most common in middle-aged adults and tends to occur alongside AD or contact dermatitis. The correct treatment approach can clear neurodermatitis for good.    

5. Dyshidrotic eczema

Also known as pompholyx, this eczema causes a rash of tiny blisters on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the edges of the fingers and toes. Exceptionally itchy and dry, it can cause cracks in the skin that increase the risk of infection. 

 Because these flare-ups affect the hands and feet to an extreme, dyshidrotic eczema can be debilitating.  

6. Nummular dermatitis  

This form of eczema can cause small, rounded lesions on any skin area but tends to appear on the arms and legs most often. The scattered, “coin-shaped” patches caused by nummular dermatitis are itchy and sometimes oozing, making them look more like surface wounds than a conventional eczema rash. 

7. Stasis dermatitis 

This form of eczema causes patches of dry, itchy, discolored skin on the lower extremities. Stasis dermatitis develops from poor circulation and is a common sign of progressing or advanced vein disease, including chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).   

Expert eczema control

No matter what eczema you’re dealing with, our expert team can create an effective management plan to help you minimize symptom flares and keep your skin healthy. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest Florida Dermatology Associates office in Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Melbourne, Titusville, or Rockledge, Florida, today.