Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema that is chronic and inflammatory. Though the exact cause of atopic is unknown, it happens when the immune system goes into overdrive in response to an allergen or irritant inside or outside the body. AD usually begins in childhood, often in the first six months of life. When you or your child have AD, it might improve at times or it may get worse (when you may experience what’s called a “flare”).

Atopic dermatitis is part of what’s called the atopic triad, which includes two other allergic conditions (asthma and hay fever, which is also known as allergic rhinitis). Researchers believe that people who come from families with a history of atopic dermatitis, asthma and/or hay fever are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis themselves. Commonly patients also get eczema on face.

Some common symptoms of atopic dermatitis:

• Dry, scaly skin
• Redness (erythema)
• Itching
• Cracks behind the ears
• A rash on the cheeks, arms and legs
• Open, crusted or “weepy” sores (usually during flare-ups)

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis happens when the skin touches irritating substances or allergens. These make the skin inflamed, causing it to burn, itch and become red. There are several kinds of contact dermatitis but irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common. Contact dermatitis usually appears on the hands, or parts of the body that touched the irritant/allergen.

The  most common irritants include:

• Solvents
• Industrial chemicals
• Detergents
• Fumes
• Tobacco smoke
• Paints
• Bleach
• Wool
• Acidic Foods
• Astringents
• Skin care products that content alcohol (but not cetyl alcohol)
• Some soaps and fragrances
• Allergens (usually animal dander or pollens)

Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:

• Redness and rash
• Burning or swelling
• Blisters that may weep or crust over

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition that produces small, itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet. Stress, allergies (such as hay fever), moist hands and feet, or exposure to nickel (in metal-plated jewelry), cobalt (found in metal-plated objects, and in pigments used in paints and enamels), or chromium salts (used in the manufacturing of cement, mortar, leather, paints, and anticorrosives) may be “triggers” of dyshidrotic eczema. This type of eczema is twice as common in women as it is in men.

Symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema include:

• Small fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) on the fingers, hands, and feet
• Itching
• Redness
• Flaking
• Scaly, cracked skin
• Pain

Nummular Eczema – nummular dermatitis

Nummular eczema, also known as discoid eczema and nummular dermatitis, is a common type of eczema that can occur at any age. It looks very different from usual eczema and can be much more difficult to treat. People with nummular eczema develop coin-shaped spots on their skin, which may be very itchy. It is thought to be “triggered” by things like insect bites, reactions to skin inflammation, or dry skin in the winter.

Some symptoms of nummular eczema include:

• Round, coin-shaped spots
• Itching
• Dry, scaly skin
• Wet, open sores

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Considered a chronic form of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis appears on the body where there are a lot of oil-producing (sebaceous) glands like the upper back, nose and scalp.

The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, although genes and hormones play a role. Microorganisms such as yeast, that live on the skin naturally can also contribute to seborrheic dermatitis. Unlike many other forms of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis is not the result of an allergy.

People of any age can develop seborrheic dermatitis including infants (known as “cradle cap”). It is slightly more common in men than women.

People with certain diseases that affect the immune system, such as HIV or AIDS, and the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease, are believed to be at an increased risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis.

Seborrheic dermatitis often appears on the scalp, where symptoms may range from dry flakes (dandruff) to yellow, greasy scales with reddened skin. Patients can also develop seborrheic dermatitis on other oily areas of their body, such as the face, upper chest and back.

Common symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:

• Redness
• Greasy, swollen skin
• White or yellowish crusty flakes

Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis is also called gravitational dermatitis, venous eczema and venous stasis dermatitis. It happens when there is a problem with blood flow in the veins and pressure develops (usually in the lower legs). This pressure can cause fluid to leak out of the veins and into the skin, resulting in stasis dermatitis.

Symptoms of stasis dermatitis include:

• Swelling around the ankles
• Redness
• Scaling
• Itching
• Pain

And in more severe cases:

• Oozing
• Open areas (cracking or larger ulcers)
• Infection

Eczema / Dermatitis in Babies

 Atopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition. It causes dry, itchy skin. It’s a very common condition in babies and children. It usually first appears between ages 3 and 6 months.

Symptoms may come and go, or occur most or all of the time. Any area of the body may be affected. In babies, symptoms usually affect the face, neck, scalp, elbows and knees. In children, symptoms usually affect the skin inside the elbows, on the back of the knees, the sides of the neck, around the mouth, and on the wrists, ankles and hands.

Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:

• Dry, scaly skin
• Severe itching
• Redness and swelling
• Thickened skin
• Pale skin on the face
• Small, raised bumps that may become crusty and leak fluid if scratched
• Rough bumps on the face, upper arms and thighs
• Darkened skin of eyelids or around the eyes
• Skin changes around the mouth, eyes or ears
• Raised, red areas (hives)

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can be like other health conditions.