Eczema is not a specific skin condition but is the name for a group of skin conditions characterized by swollen, irritated and itchy skin. The specific cause of each different type of eczema in not known but it tends to run in families suggesting a tendency for the disease is linked to genes. There is also no cure for eczema and treatments focus on trying to calm the itch, sooth the skin and repair the breaks in the skin barrier to prevent bacteria and other irritants from exacerbating the condition.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases (NIAMS), occurring in approximately 10 to 20 percent of infants and 1 to 3 percent of adults. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic (long-lasting), non-contagious disease of the skin characterized by dry, itchy patches of skin. The skin may look cracked, swollen and red and often affects the scalp, face, hands, feet, elbows, knees and ankles.
In approximately 90 percent of the patients with atopic dermatitis, the condition begins before the age of 5, according to EczemaNet. As some children age the symptoms will diminish; however, EczemaNet reports that 50 percent will experience the disease for a lifetime.
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known but it is likely triggered by multiple factors including inheriting a tendency for the disease, environmental factors, an overactive immune system that attacks the skin and the presence of gaps in the skin that allows water out and germs in.
Dyshidrodic Dermatitis
Dyshidrodic dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers and soles of the feet. Symptoms include an intense burning or itching, blisters, inflammation of the skin and cracking or peeling skin. This type of eczema rarely affects children and is most common in 20 to 40 year olds.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis presents as oily, waxy patches that usually begin on the scalp but can spread to the face and beyond. This condition may also be called seborrheic dandruff, dandruff and cradle cap (in infants). The patches of dry skin may be flaky and range in color from white to gray to reddish-brown. Like other forms of eczema, this condition may flare up in response to a trigger such as cold weather and resolve with periods of no symptoms.
Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs when the nerve-endings in the skin become extremely irritated, producing scaly red plaques. Neurodermatitis is characterized by itchy skin that is so intense no amount of scratching relieves the itch. In fact scratching the affected area triggers the itch-scratch-itch cycle where the more the skin is scratched the more it itches.
