ECZEMA, ATOPIC

TYPES

There are many types of eczema that you should consider:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic eczema
• Nummular eczema
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis

SYMPTOMS

Atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms vary extensively from individual to individual and include:

• Dry skin
• Itching, especially in the night
• Red to brown patches, especially on the hands, feet, lower legs, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees, and in babies, the face and scalp
• Little, raised lumps, which may discharge fluid and burst when scratched
• Thickened, broken, layered skin
• Rough, swollen skin from scratching

DIAGNOSIS

No lab test is relied upon to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Your doctor will most likely examine your skin and keeping an eye on your medical history. He or she may also do some tests to find out if there are other skin conditions that run with your eczema. Food allergies may also give rise to the condition.

TREATMENT

Atopic dermatitis can persist for a long time. You may need to use diverse medicines over months or years to control it. Additionally, signs and reactions may return or flare up.

Treatments include:

• Creams that control itching and help moisturize the skin
• Creams containing drugs called calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus
• Antibiotics to fight infection
• Corticosteroids