What is eczema?
Eczema is the term for a group of chronic skin conditions causing the skin to become inflamed or irritated.
The word "eczema" comes from the Greek word meaning “to boil over”. Eczema is also sometimes referred to as “atopic dermatitis”. “Atopic” is Greek for hereditary allergy and “dermatitis” comes from the Greek word for “skin”. People with atopic eczema have a higher chance of developing other atopic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.
Eczema usually affects infants and children, but some adults can develop eczema too. Sometimes, children who grow out of eczema often face it again in adulthood. Eczema can be mild (skin is dry, scaly, red, and itchy) or more severe (weeping, crusting, and bleeding).
Eczema affects both genders, although some people are more likely to inherit the disease if their parents have it as well.
Although the symptoms of eczema and acne can look alike, they are two separate, unrelated skin conditions. Acne causes pimples to erupt. Whereas, eczema causes a discoloured or red, bumpy rash, which may resemble pimples. As such, acne treatments and eczema treatments are different and should not be used interchangeably.
Causes of eczema
The exact cause of eczema is not yet known.
However, people with eczema tend to have skin with a thinner lipid barrier, which leads to an increase in water loss and thus, dry skin.
Furthermore, an overactive immune system tends to respond aggressively to the presence of irritants on the skin via the release of chemicals under the skin surface. Ultimately, causing skin inflammation.
Scratching of the inflamed skin makes the condition worse and can lead to infection. Eczema is also commonly found in families with a history of other allergies or asthma.
An eczema flare-up (occurrence of one or more symptoms of eczema) can be triggered by:
Changes in the climate
Pollution
Allergies to dust mite or pollen
Skin contact with coarse or synthetic material
Skin contact with harsh soaps or detergent
Allergy to animal dander (material shed from an animal’s body such as fur and skin cells)
Sweating
Stress
Food allergies
Eczema is not contagious. It is not spread by any form of contact.
Types and symptoms of eczema
Type of eczema | Symptoms |
|---|---|
Asteatotic eczema | Pink and red fissures or grooves on skin. Tends to only affect the superficial layers of the skin. Occurs mostly in patients above 60 years of age although it can affect young adults as well. |
Atopic dermatitis | Dry skin condition that can flare-up and become red, sore and itchy. Usually found in faces and often affects creases in the body such as the neck, back of knees, the inside of elbows and wrists. |
Contact dermatitis | Caused by contact with skin irritants. Leads to mild dryness and skin redness and the appearance of skin burns. It can be painful, red, fluid-filled, and ulcerated. |
Dyshidrotic eczema (Pompholyx) | Blisters develop on the soles of feet and/or the palms of hands. The blisters are usually itchy and may be filled with fluid. Often comes with subsequent peeling as the skin dries out – the skin can become red and dry with painful cracks (skin fissures). Usually, a seasonal allergy and flare-ups often appear during spring. |
Nummular eczema (Discoid eczema) | The appearance is distinct with ‘coin-shaped’ slightly bumpy “discs”, usually on the lower legs, torso, or forearms. Within a few days, the patches begin to ooze, and can become very itchy, crusted, and infected. Eventually, the surface becomes scaly, and the skin dry and flaky. Usually affects adults. |
Seborrheic eczema | The skin rash appears on areas with a lot of sebaceous glands, hence the name. It usually starts on the scalp as dandruff that can progress to redness, irritation, and increased scaling. As the disease progresses, the scalp becomes inflamed, which may then spread onto the face and neck. This usually affects adults and infants. |
Stasis eczema | The appearance is of scaling, open sores or itchy, reddish skin. Other symptoms include calf pain and swollen legs. This skin condition normally develops in people with poor blood circulation, most commonly in the lower limbs. Pregnant women and overweight adults have a higher chance of developing this skin disease. |
Eczema treatments in Singapore
Before applying any creams, cleanse the affected area to remove any irritants causing the irritation.
Use mild, nourishing soaps or synthetic soap substitutes. Avoid harsh soaps, as they can further irritate the skin.
Having multiple symptoms described above?
Enquire now for more information, or make an appointment today with our dermatologist.
