There is a common misconception out there that there is only one type of eczema and that if you have some inflammation of the skin, then it must all be the same. In fact, that is far from the truth, there are multiple different forms of eczema, and there are signs you can look out for that help you to identify them.
That is the main purpose of this article, to help explain to you how you can identify them. You will notice the term dermatitis used within this article; you should know that this essentially means skin inflammation. So, let’s get started.
Atopic Dermatitis
The term atopic refers to certain allergic tendencies. With that said, atopic dermatitis goes further than a simple allergic reaction. This is a more specific type of eczema that shows a typical pattern of skin inflammation. This will eventually cause the symptoms further on and could lead to other atopic conditions forming, such as hay fever or even asthma in some cases.
The symptoms of this type of eczema will make the skin feel drier, and inflamed areas of the skin could become blistered and weepy. It is also possible that the inflamed areas of the skin will eventually become infected. You should consult a pharmacist or GP if you suspect you have atopic eczema, as they will be able to diagnose what sort of eczema you have and will be able to advise some treatment options going forward.
Stasis Dermatitis
This type of eczema is also known as gravitational dermatitis or even varicose eczema. This occurs when there is poor circulation in the lower legs. The valves in your leg veins usually exist to help move blood around from the heart, but they may have become weaker and started to leak fluid. It may have occurred due to age, but there could be more underlying conditions that have caused reasons for concern.
Essentially, stasis dermatitis will happen due to poor circulation, with women more likely to get it than men. Those who are obese or have had some form of heart failure before could also be susceptible.
Neurodermatitis
One of the main symptoms of neurodermatitis is intense itching. While most eczema types will have symptoms of itchiness, neurodermatitis leads the way with this. Atopic dermatitis is more widespread, with neurodermatitis usually staying contained to just one or a couple of patches of skin.
With most eczema, it will pass on its own in bouts through treatment options. With neurodermatitis, you will need to have it treated to help end the itch-scratch cycle. Dermatologists may recommend corticosteroids that can help relieve inflammation and soften thickened skin up. Although, some find themselves with topical steroid withdrawal symptoms if they use this kind of product, which you can learn more about on the Harlan MD website. There will also be non-steroid solutions too, with some ointments being used to help control itchiness.
For this reason, it’s important that you visit a doctor as soon as possible. You will be able to get expert advice on what you can do to prevent it from spreading and how to treat the symptoms to help you feel better.
