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 Eczema Or Atopic Eczema?

Eczema is a skin problem that causes the skin to become inflamed, dry, and itchy. There are many different types of eczema. 

This blog article will focus on eczma called atopic eczema. The medical term for this type of eczema is dermatitis. It causes the skin to become irritated and break out in an itchy rash with red patches or thickened patches of skin that can ooze fluid. There are many causes of atopic eczema from an allergic reaction to stress or skin infections. An itchy rash is usually the first sign of eczema. About 20% of children that have eczema will also have asthma. Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema in newborns. Babies with this type of eczema often have a thickening and swelling in the outer layer of their skin called cradle cap and may also have their scalp baby hairs removed by their parents. This thickening can be treated with topical steroids while cradle cap can be left as is or treated with a shampoo that contains natural oils such as olive oil to repair the scalp and soothe the skin like lotion. Atopic eczema usually starts around two weeks old. Unlike some other types of eczema, atopic eczema usually clears up with age as the child gets older and better able to handle stress.

The most common types of atopic eczema are: generalised, seborrheic, and stasis (varicose) eczema.

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in children, affecting between 5% to 30% of individuals under 18 years of age. Up to 40% are affected into adulthood. It is also one of the leading causes for sick leave from school and work and costs billions for treatment annually worldwide. In the United States, eczema affects 8.1% of children under the age of 18.

There are many different types of eczema and they are all caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. In some people, genetic predisposition leads to an immune reaction that causes inflammatory skin symptoms, while in others it is the environment that causes inflammation; this is known as non-inflammatory or non-allergic forms, but some researchers prefer to use "atopic", a term that encompasses both forms so as to avoid being limited by outdated ideas about allergies.

Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema, and it tends to show in the first two years of life. It is a common skin condition especially in infants and toddlers. The exact cause is unknown but it involves an over reaction of the immune system, which causes skin-damaging inflammation and redness in sensitive areas where there are very few nerve endings. The 7 types of atopic eczema are addressed below in reference to their predominant symptoms:

Generalized atopic eczema (formerly referred to as 'eczema herpeticum'). This usually appears on any area of the body that has been previously affected by eczema. This type is usually due to a genetic predisposition.

Seborrheic eczema (formerly referred to as "eczema herpetiformis"). This usually appears on the scalp, face and chest areas. This type is often due to a genetic predisposition.

Stasis eczema or hemidysesthesia (formerly referred to as "spotted-housemaid's eruption"). This occurs on the groin and upper thighs. It is sometimes associated with Celiac disease.

Stasis eczema or hemidysesthesia. Similar to stasis eczema, but predominantly affecting the scalp. This type is often due to a genetic predisposition.

Piven eczema or eczema herpetiformis (formerly referred to as "eczema hiperplasticus"). This mostly affects the palms and soles, but it can also affect the face or scalp. It is not associated with any other visible skin disorder. This type is often due to a genetic predisposition.

Non-atopic atopic dermatitis (formerly referred to as "dermatitis herpetiformis"). This may be similar to seborrheic, stasis or generalised atopic dermatitis, but all three must be ruled out.

Non-atopic eosinophilic dermatitis. This is an allergic type of eczema that is caused by a buildup of white blood cells in the skin called eosinophils.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (formerly referred to as "eczema pandiculatum"). This type affects infants and young adults. It looks like severe acne with pustules and inflammation, often on the neck and trunk area.

Non-atopic lichen simplex chronicus (formerly referred to as "prurigo nodularis"). This type is more common in men and rarely affects women. It involves red, itchy skin lesions on the upper back, chest and the face.

Patch eczema (formerly referred to as "eczema herpetiformis"). This type appears as a small red patch of skin that is itchy, painful, and oozes fluid when touched.

Eosinophilic fasciitis. Similar to eosinophilic pustular folliculitis but with abundant white blood cells. Also causes a burning sensation in the skin. Sometimes known as "reactive eosinophilic fasciitis".

Skin infections such as impetigo, tinea pedis, and Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome are potential trigger factors for atopic dermatitis. A viral infection from a herpes simplex virus (HSV) is another trigger. In those who have a genetic predisposition, the infecting virus aggravates a preexisting condition. Avoidance of irritants is also very important in preventing further flare-ups of eczema. Medication may be used to help reduce the severity of flares and prevent further ones.

Eczema symptoms can vary considerably and a person may experience different symptoms depending on age, gender, and where they live. It is common for many people to go their entire lives without ever experiencing any redness or rash. Others will experience itchy, burning rashes that they cannot stop scratching or feeling shame about asking their friends "Why am I scabby?" Other people have very sensitive skin that is more prone to break out in areas like the wrists as opposed to the face. These types of rashes are often confused with psoriasis but almost always require different treatments.

Conclusion:

Eczema is a common skin disorder that causes inflammation and itching in the area of skin affected by it. It is generally accompanied by a red, scaly rash called dermatitis. The redness associated with eczema can last for several days or weeks at a time. Some people will have symptoms of dermatitis that only becomes noticeable when it begins to itch or burn, while others may see the rash appear before their symptoms even start getting worse. Some people experience dry patches of skin on the fingers, hands, arms and legs that only become noticeable when they begin to itch. The Itch may range from mild to severe, but in many cases there is little or no discomfort involved with it except for the itching sensation itself.