What causes eczema?
Researchers aren’t 100% sure what causes eczema, but it seems to occur due to genes and something in the environment that triggers the skin condition. If you’re exposed to something that causes an allergy or irritation, your immune system flares up and the skin cells react.
Eczema cannot be spread from person-to-person. Babies and children commonly develop it, and it resolves as they grow into adulthood. However, some people who had eczema as children continue to suffer from it into adulthood.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
Red, itchy, and inflamed skin is usually a sign of eczema. Babies and children often develop it on their cheeks and the rest of their face, but it can occur anywhere in children and adults. Eczema doesn’t look the same on every person. Other symptoms include:
- Dry patches or dark-colored patches of skin
- Rough, scaly skin
- Blisters or sores that weep or ooze
- Swollen, sensitive patches of skin
Are there different types of eczema?
Eczema appears slightly differently, according to the type you have. Eight kinds of eczema exist.
- Atopic dermatitis is red, itchy, and usually appears in childhood
- Contact dermatitis occurs when you come into contact with an irritant, such as certain chemicals, soaps, or detergents
- Hand eczema affects 10% of the population and causes cracking and itchy skin on the hands
- Dyshidrotic eczema causes small blisters on your palms, soles of the feet, and digits
- Lichen simplex chronicus features thick, scaly patches of skin
- Nummular eczema causes the formation of coin-shaped, inflamed spots
- Seborrheic dermatitis occurs where you have oil glands, such as on the scalp
- Stasis dermatitis happens at points of blood flow, such as veins
How is eczema treated?
At Bellevue Acne Clinic, the team spends time with you to diagnose the type and severity of your eczema. They prescribe oral steroids and topical steroid creams to reduce itching and help resolve other symptoms. Laser treatments can reduce itching and inflammation, prompt your body’s bacteria-fighting compounds to work, and stimulate the production of vitamin D. Your exact treatment plan depends on the type of eczema you have and the ways your skin responds.
