Eczema is a broad term used to describe a range of persistent skin conditions which can cause dryness and recurring rashes that can make the skin red, swell, itch, crust, flake, blister, crack, ooze, or bleed. The word eczema is often used interchangeably with atopic dermatitis but there are several types all together. Different things can trigger or worsen your eczema such as stress, weather, infections like the common cold or flu, seasonal allergies, food allergies, irritants and allergens. Usually allergens are animal or vegetable proteins from foods, pollens or pets and can trigger a flare-up of your eczema. Irritants are things that cause burning, itching or red skin such as chemicals, detergents, course fabrics, acidic foods, skin care products, soaps and fragrances. Food allergies can cause flare-ups either by eating the food or by skin contact during food preparation. Citric fruits like lemons, limes and oranges may cause a flare-up when you are exposed to the sun. The saps of certain trees and the stems, leaves, and flowers of some plants can trigger flare-ups.
Atopic dermatitis can occur at any age and is associated with people who have the three associated conditions of eczema, allergies, and asthma but not necessarily all at the same time and it can be inherited from parents. Atopic dermatitis almost always begins in childhood, usually during infancy. Skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling on the face, behind the ears, arms and legs but can cover the entire body.
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes in contact with irritants like chemicals, detergents, course fabrics, acidic foods, skin care products, soaps and fragrances or allergens such as pollens, or pets that can cause inflammation, burning, itching or redness.
Asteatotic eczema is dry skin that becomes so serious it turns into eczema. It worsens in dry winter weather, and limbs and trunk are most often affected. The itchy, tender skin resembles a dry, cracked, river bed. It’s very common among the older population.
Seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap in infants, produces yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin. The scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears and middle of the chest are the most common areas affected.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis, or hand eczema, is a blistering type of eczema, which is twice as common in women. It is limited to the fingers, palms and soles of the feet. Your hands may have itchy, scaly patches of skin that flake constantly or become red cracked and painful.
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