Eczema- The Lifelong Journey- Part 2

Most people when they think of eczema, they think of someone that they have known with the disease and how it presented in that person.  They think that all eczema follows the same progression.  They might be shocked to know that there are officially 7 different types of eczema... yes, you read that correctly-7!

You see eczema is the name for a group of similar disorders of the skin and each disorder presents differently.  And it is possible for one person to have multiple types of eczema at the same time.

Let's talk about it:

1- Atopic Dermatitis-

This is probably what most think of when referring to eczema.  It usually starts in childhood and for many there is a genetic component to the disease.  It is chronic and flare ups are often caused by allergies, soaps, perfumes, stress and weather.  Dry and intensely itchy patches develop on the body most commonly in the creases of the elbows, knees and on the hands.  

2. Contact Dermatitis-

Everyone is susceptible to this type of eczema.  It happens when an irritant or allergen comes into direct contact with the skin resulting in an allergic reaction.  It is most often acute and temporary once the irritant or allergen is removed. 

3. Dyshidrotic Eczema-

If you have intensely itchy blisters on your fingers, toes, palms, or soles of your feet, then you probably have this type of eczema.  It usually presents in older children and adults as a cyclical problem.  

4. Neurodermatitis-

This was the first experience that I personally had with eczema.  It started in college as a patch on my leg.  I just thought that it was a spider bite that was exceptionally itchy.  While studying, I absentmindedly scratched the patch until I felt some warm liquid.  I was shocked to see that I had scratched through my skin and my leg was bloody but it was even itchier than it was before I started scratching.  It literally took me years to get that patch to go away.  And then about a decade later, out the blue, I felt my leg itching, looked down and saw the beginnings of the patch returning.  I applied Westcort cream to it immediately.  There was no way that I was going through that again.  Without prompt treatment, those patches can spread over the body and the skin can become thick and leathery.  This is most common in adults.

5. Discoid eczema-

Small round patches that look similar to ringworm are seen with this type of eczema. This tends to appear in adults and surprisingly enough in men more than women.  Prompt treatment normally resolves this in a matter of weeks although they may return later.

6. Seborrheic dermatitis-

This is a more severe type of dandruff or cradle cap.  While most of the types of eczema are characterized by dry skin, this type tends to show in oily areas of the skin. 

7. Stasis dermatitis-

This is actually caused by poor circulation and occurs when blood begins to pool in the legs instead of returning to the heart. This causes itchy, dry, scaly skin,  It is most common in older adults who have underlying vein issues. 

This is just a quick overview of the different types.  Did you recognize any of the symptoms listed in yourself or someone that you know?  All 7 types of eczema have this in common- they are not going to resolve on their own.  Intentional measures need to be taken in order to mitigate and address the disease.  Consult with your health care professional or a dermatologist as soon as possible and develop a plan that works for you.  It is best to deal with eczema early.  

Next week, we will look at how Traditional Chinese Medicine and Naturalists have looked at the cause and treatment of eczema.  I think it will be interesting and it might surprise you...