Nummular Eczema: Causes and Effective Treatment

Nummular eczema is one of the multiple eczema types. It took its name from the form of a rash. Nummus means “coin” in Latin. The disease is rather complicated and brings a number of discomforts, both aesthetic and physical. What causes the disease? What methods of treatment do we know?

What you need to know about nummular eczema

This is a chronic disease with frequent relapses. Science doesn’t yet have an answer as to what causes it. However, there are a number of possible triggers:

• hronic somatic diseases;
• metabolic disorder;
• stress;
• excessive dryness of the skin;
• immune disorders;
• hormonal disorders;
• direct contact with an allergen, etc.

These reasons can be divided into two main groups:

• external, which comes from the external environment (climate, chemical, bacterial, etc.);
• internal has to do with a violation of physiological and biochemical processes, which triggers the development of the disease and its chronic forms.

The symptoms

The disease is typical for all age categories, including young children. More often, it occurs during the fall-winter period.

Nummular eczema is different from other forms. The rash has the shape of a coin, and the size varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Eruptions can be both isolated and merge with each other. Localization spreads throughout the body.

Clinical symptoms depend on the stage of the disease:

• The erythematous phase is characterized by redness, local swelling, itching, and burning, which causes scratching and traumatizes the skin. The general condition worsens and causes insomnia, irritability, fatigue, etc.
• The vesicular phase is characterized by the formation of small bubbles filled with fluid. After they burst, new ones appear along the edge of the old ones.
• The exudative phase occurs after total disruption of the vesicles. Mostly as a result of combing, surface exudates cause the wetting focus (eczema). This period is dangerous due to the risk of infection since exudate becomes a fertile ground for pathogenic microorganisms. The duration varies from a few days to a month.
• The final phase of healing, or resorption, is characterized by the formation of crusts of grayish-yellow color. A bright red color of the thin epidermis appears after the crusts fall off. This stage lasts few weeks, after which the skin goes back to normal.

The disease can be accompanied by general health disorders, for example, insomnia, irritability, depression, fever, loss of appetite, and other symptoms.

How to identify the disease

Nummular eczema is easy to diagnose. The disease can be detected by an examination. Additional methods are required in case of complications. Infection requires a determination of the type of pathogenic microorganisms and their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

How to Treat Nummular Eczema

Medicines and treatment should be prescribed only by a doctor who is familiar with the history of the disease, and the results of diagnostic studies.

Nummular eczema treatment includes a number of methods:

• General treatment eliminates chronic infections that cause a relapse of the disease (sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, etc.). It is necessary to control chronic somatic pathologies, which lead to immunity and metabolism disorders. It is recommended to use sedatives, antihistamines, antipyretic drugs, hormones, and other drugs during the aggravation period.
• Local treatment includes the use of drugs on the immediate lesion in order to facilitate local symptoms. The most common forms of local medicines are ointments and gels. They may contain antihistaminic, sedative, hormonal, or antibacterial components. The choice of the drug depends on the stage of the disease, for example, a wetting focus requires drugs with a drying effect.

Local treatment includes the use of UVB lamps, which have a number of therapeutic properties: drying of the wounds, improvement of blood circulation, rapid healing, prevention of secondary infection, etc.

The treatment includes the following recommendations:

• Elimination of an allergic factor that directly contacts the skin (cosmetics, household chemicals, synthetic fabrics, etc.).
• Proper nutrition, especially during the exacerbation. Products that can cause allergic reactions and development of numeral eczema include eggs, nuts, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee, sausages, canned food, and should be avoided.
• Use the body temperature water when taking baths or showers. Avoid saunas or steam rooms.
• When bathing small children with numeral eczema, it is necessary to use herbs with a soothing effect, and cosmetics with hypoallergenic properties.
• Don’t use sponges during the aggravation period of the disease.
• It is recommended to change your underwear daily.
• When washing clothes, use only hypoallergenic products without conditioner or other softeners.
• Prevent skin dryness during the fall/winter period (use of moisturizing products, UVB lamps).
• Regular examinations with specialists and maintaining health.
• Annual spa or resort treatment.

Remember that self-treatment can cause serious complications and lead to health-threatening conditions, especially when it comes to young children and elderly people with concomitant diseases. Only a specialist can correctly choose the right drug according to the actual condition and individual tolerance.