Types of Eczema and their Treatments – Part 2

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that mostly affects the scalp. It causes red skin, scaly patches, and stubborn dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect oily areas of the body, such as the back, face, and neckline.

Medicated creams, lotions, ointments, and shampoos that control inflammation are the foremost treatments for seborrheic dermatitis. Your doctor may recommend the antifungal medication, terbinafine, though this option is not frequently used because it can have severe side effects, such as allergic reactions and liver problems.

You can also apply metronidazole cream or gel once or twice daily until you see improvement.

Light therapy with psoralen can also be effective, but may not work for people with thick hair, unless used with a handheld phototherapy lamp with a comb attachment that can penetrate the scalp better.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as dyshidrosis or pompholyx, is a rare skin condition in which extremely small, fluid-filled blisters appear on the palms of the hands and the sides of the fingers. The soles of the feet also can be affected.

The blisters that occur in dyshidrosis usually last around three weeks and cause severe itching. Once the blisters of dyshidrosis dry, your skin may appear scaly. The blisters typically reappear, sometimes even before your skin totally heals from the preceding blisters.

Depending on the severity of your signs and symptoms, treatment options may include botulinum toxin injections, high-potency corticosteroid creams and ointments, immune-suppressing ointments, and phototherapy.

Nummular Eczema

People who get this skin problem often observe distinct, coin-shaped or oval sores on their skin. Nummular eczema often appears after a skin injury, such as an abrasion due to friction, burns, or an insect bite. A person may see one or more patches, and these can last for weeks or months.

There is no known cure for nummular eczema. Avoiding triggers and making lifestyle changes are the most helpful ways to manage the condition. To help control your nummular eczema, avoid bathing too much, especially with hot water because it dries out the skin. Steer clear from harsh soaps, wool, and other irritants that can trigger your symptoms.

To help relieve your eczema, take antihistamines to alleviate discomfort and itching. You can also use medicated lotions or skin ointments, as well as ultraviolet light treatment for severe itching.

Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by blood pooling in the veins in your legs. Pooling of blood in the veins of the legs is called venous insufficiency or venous stasis.

Stasis dermatitis is a chronic condition that can cause extensive discomfort. People over the age of 50 are more prone to this condition. About six to seven percent of people in that age group have stasis dermatitis. Incidence of this condition may be as high as 20 percent in those over age 70. Women are somewhat more likely to have stasis dermatitis than men. This is thought to be due to added stress on leg veins caused by pregnancy.

Chronic venous insufficiency must be sufficiently treated with compression stockings and leg elevation. For acute stasis dermatitis characterized by crusts, exudation, and superficial ulceration, continuous and then intermittent tap water compresses should be applied. For a weeping lesion, a hydrocolloid dressing may be best. For less acute dermatitis, a corticosteroid cream or ointment should be applied 3 times a day.

Ulcers are best treated with bland dressings and compresses. Ulcers in ambulatory patients may be healed with a colloid dressing or an Unna paste boot. Colloid dressings used under elastic support are more effective than an Unna paste boot. It may be necessary to change the dressing every 2 days, but as edema recedes and the ulcer heals, once or twice a week is enough.

Types of Eczema and their Treatments – Part 1