What Do Patches Of Eczema Look Like – Discoid, or nummular, eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition; it is a type of atopic dermatitis or eczema, characterized by its distinctive annular spots. Although it is not exactly clear why it happens, several factors have been identified that can trigger or aggravate a flare-up of discoid eczema. These include things as varied as dry weather conditions, irritants in household cleaning products or toiletries, stress, chemicals, medications and poor circulation in the lower legs. The patches of eczema can be dry, itchy and sore, sometimes painful. The skin may weep, ooze or crust over, and is vulnerable to infection.
This type of eczema is distinguished from other types of skin condition by the shape and appearance of its circular lesion. These spots of skin start out quite small; they may be made up of lumps, spots or blisters, which increase in circumference and size, and spread outward from this first raised area. Eventually reaching up to 2-3cm, the patches tend to be the most itchy and inflamed at their outer edge, and can leave an area of clear skin in the middle of the ring as they expand.
What Do Patches Of Eczema Look Like
The quick answer is that anyone can get discoid eczema – but not everyone does! It tends to occur in adults, not children. (Itchy circular lesions on children are more likely to be caused by ringworm, which is a fungal infection rather than eczema.) It is more common in males than females; men can develop a first patch of discoid eczema after the age of 55, while women with discoid eczema are more likely between 15-25 years of age.
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It is a fairly common type of eczema, with around 2 in 1000 people suffering from the condition.
It is often possible to manage a flare of discoid eczema at home and without prescribed medication (see our article How to treat discoid eczema naturally? for more information), but if the problem does not improve or worsens, or if you are worried about infection, then consult a doctor or pharmacist.
If youor someone you care for does not seem very well, is getting worse or you think something is seriously wrong, call the emergency services immediately. For general medical advice, please contact your healthcare professional, this article does not contain or replace medical advice. Medically reviewed by Clare Wightman MS, PAC, Dermatology, Medical Research – By Amber Erickson Gabbey – Updated on October 29, 2021
Nummular eczema, also known as nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema, is a chronic but treatable condition that causes coin-shaped spots to develop on the skin. These spots are often very itchy and well defined. They may ooze clear fluid or become dry and crusty.
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Nummular eczema often occurs after a skin injury, such as a burn, scrape or insect bite, but there are also other causes. The condition can result in a single patch or multiple patches of coin-shaped lesions. The patches can last several months.
Nummular eczema is more common in men than in women. Men usually have their first episode after age 50 and women before age 30, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Some children with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) may develop nummular eczema.
Although the symptoms of nummular eczema can be difficult, they can be treated with medications and lifestyle changes. It is not contagious, which means you cannot get it from another person through direct skin contact.
You should see a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist for prescription-strength corticosteroid or tacrolimus ointments, or pimecrolimus cream. Another option is tar cream.
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You may also need to see a doctor to rule out other skin disorders that may resemble nummular dermatitis.
If symptoms do not go away, even after medical treatment, your symptoms may be triggered by an allergic reaction. Your doctor may then recommend a patch test to identify the source of the allergy.
There is no cure for nummular eczema. However, you can manage your condition by making certain lifestyle changes and avoiding triggers.
The most common and striking symptom of nummular eczema is a patch of coin-shaped lesions on the body. The lesions often develop on the arms or legs, but they can eventually spread to the trunk and hands. They can be brown, pink or red.
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Call your doctor if you think you have nummular eczema. If left untreated, a secondary skin infection can develop. Once this happens, a yellowish crust will form on the infected lesions.
Ringworm (tinea corporis) also tends to present itchy bumps that turn into round, itchy and scaly spots with a clear center. They can look red or pink on lighter skin, or brown and gray on darker skin. Both types of lesions will be very itchy. Ringworm lesions tend to heal from the center first.
A dermatologist is a specialist trained in knowing the difference between these two conditions, and other conditions, such as psoriasis, that have similar presentations.
Nummular eczema has no known cause. However, many people with the skin condition have a personal or family history of:
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Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes itchy or scaly rashes. People with nummular eczema also tend to have sensitive skin that is easily irritated.
Currently, there is no specific diet for nummular eczema. In general, people with eczema may want to consider eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet and doing their best to maintain a moderate body weight.
Guidelines generally suggest avoiding or limiting the highly processed foods common in Western diet culture, as well as most allergy-causing foods, because these may have an association with eczema flare-ups.
One way to do this is to follow an anti-inflammatory diet. This diet can help you know which foods to eat and which to limit or avoid.
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For more specific guidelines on a personalized eating lifestyle for you, talk to your doctor to learn more about health-promoting foods, lifestyle eating patterns, and weight management.
When it comes specifically to nummular eczema, a 2021 study showed that a gluten-free diet can help you manage the symptoms of the condition.
In this case, an 11-year-old girl was able to remain completely symptom-free while avoiding all gluten. However, more research is needed to confirm whether this is true beyond this single case.
Also showed that there may be some benefit to L-His supplementation (LHS). This is a supplement with the amino acid histidine, which the body metabolizes into histamine.
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Histamine is an amino acid involved in growth and immunity. The research shows that it can improve the symptoms of severe nummular eczema that is resistant to other treatments.
Your doctor can diagnose nummular eczema by asking you about your medical history and visually inspecting your skin. They may also order a skin sample to be taken by superficially scraping the skin.
A dermatopathologist will analyze the skin cells and try to determine whether the rash is nummular eczema or another skin condition.
If your doctor suspects that the lesions are a result of an external allergic reaction, they can also perform an allergy test. This test is done in the doctor’s office. It involves leaving a patch on your skin for several days and watching for a reaction.
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With the right treatment, nummular eczema can improve within 1 year. However, this is a chronic condition, so it may never resolve. Some lesions may go away completely, while others come and go.
Lesions on the thighs, legs and feet often take longer to heal and may leave darker or lighter areas. It’s best to avoid triggers that make your symptoms worse.
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Our experts continuously monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles as new information becomes available. A dermatologist shares essential facts about the itchy condition, including what triggers eczema on the face and neck and how to get rid of it – or at least improve it.
Behind The Knees
A doctor can determine whether your symptoms are eczema or a rash caused by an allergen or irritant.Dmitriy Simakov/Getty Images
Of all the places on the body with itchy, inflamed patches of atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema), the face and neck are among the most visible — and bothersome.
“It’s not unusual for people to have eczema on the face or neck, and sometimes it’s a little more common in certain groups,” says Joy Wan, MD, a dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. Children are especially prone to eczema on the face and neck, often starting on the cheeks, she says.
Atopic dermatitis affects the skin’s ability to act as a barrier, making it less able to retain water. In addition, some people with eczema may also have allergic skin reactions, known as contact dermatitis. “That can also cause more of a facial or neck presentation for their eczema,” says Dr. Wan.
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Here, Wan outlines 10 important facts to know about face and neck eczema, with information on common triggers, strategies
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