Eczema Types and Effective Methods of Treatment

Eczema is a name for a dermatitis group of different origins. There are several main types of this disease that cause redness and itching on different parts of the body.

Eczema: what is it?

Contact dermatitis is considered to be an allergic reaction, because any small touch opens the pores for infections, making the skin vulnerable. Reaction can be caused by anything, including pets or housewares. Following several simple preventative rules will help to avoid it.

First of all, you should try to avoid any contact with things that cause irritation. If it’s too late and you have already noticed redness, contact your doctor. Very often, dermatologists prescribe antihistamines to treat allergic reactions. In cases of severe inflammation, you might be prescribed corticosteroids to stop the condition from worsening.

Dermatitis types

1. Atopic dermatitis is quite a common disease among children, especially during the first years of life. Most often, it looks like dry irritated spots on the child’s skin, usually on the forehead and cheeks. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for atopic dermatitis, but it is possible to control it. During the early stages (up to 3 weeks), you can try to fight the rashes with applying moisturizing cream. If these measure don’t help, contact your doctor immediately.
2. If you notice the appearance of itching spots on your body, you are likely having neurodermatitis. The itching can be so bad that you can’t think about anything. The causes can be absolutely different – from mosquito bites to stresses. The treatment includes antibiotics, steroids, and phototherapy in the worst cases.

3. Hand eczema is a widely spread disease (according to the experts, 10 % of the world’s population suffers from this problem). It can be caused by any external or internal reason. Very often, the disease is caused by contact with a chemical substance. The doctors came to the conclusion that most often, eczema affects people who work at restaurants, beauty salons, or medical clinics. This disease is not contagious, but the patient may suffer from psychological discomfort, low self-esteem, and difficulties in dealing with society. Corticosteroids and light therapy can help in fighting the disease.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis most often affects the hairy areas of the body, even the hairy parts of the arms. Less commonly, it can affect the neck or face. It manifests itself in itchiness, redness, and dandruff. Usually the first measures of treatment are cosmetic products (shampoos, lotions, tonics). Sometimes, antifungal agents can be prescribed, but they have a negative impact on the liver. UV lamp therapy is considered the most effective method. More details about Seborrheic dermatitis here: https://uvb-lamps.com/blog/seborrheic-dermatitis-treatment/.
5. Dyshidrosis is a very rare illness, manifesting with the appearance of small blisters located on the palms or feet. One of the symptoms is a severe itch. Usually, the blisters are forming for three weeks. After that, the skin on the affected area gets flaky and dry. Corticosteroid ointments are typically used for treatment. UVB lamp as a form of supportive therapy can help in achieving stable results.

6. Nummular eczema is manifested on the skin in the form of sores resembling the shape of coins. The reaction can be caused by trauma or insect bites. Writing a diary can be a good way to track and identify the disease triggers. It is also recommended to not shower in very hot water to prevent the skin from drying out, to avoid poor quality cosmetic products, and to minimize skin contact with wool or synthetic materials. To improve the situation, doctors advise to use antihistamine medications and light therapy, which will decrease itchiness.
7. Congestive dermatitis is a chronic ailment that is caused by insufficient veins in the legs. This type of eczema is more common among women than men. The average age of the patient who suffers from congestive dermatitis is over 50 years old. To improve the condition, it is necessary to rest your legs, placing them above your body, and to use supportive (compression) tights or legging. Another popular method is hard bandaging of the affected areas, but this can be done only after consultation with a doctor.

With any illness, the most important step and the right decision is to consult with a dermatologist. You can start the treatment only after professional diagnosis, then you have a good chance to stop the disease.

Unfortunately, eczema includes a long list of conditions, and there used to be no panacea for all of them until recently. Eczema phototherapy helps in most cases, with quick results, and it has no contraindications if used correctly.