WHAT IS ECZEMA? TYPES OF ECZEMA AND WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA EXPLAINED

Updated: 04/12/2021

SUMMARY: Eczema is a dry skin condition that is associated with itchiness and irritation. Eczema symptoms can include very dry skin, rough patches, and scaling. Eczema generally starts in childhood and affects up to 1 in 4 children. No matter your age, eczema requires treatment during flare-ups and a suitable maintenance routine to manage symptoms.

WHAT IS ECZEMA?

Eczema is a common, non-contagious skin condition that is characterized by dry, red, scaly, or itchy skin. In more severe cases, the skin can crack, bleed, and/or crust. In the United States, 1 in 10 individuals will develop eczema at some point during their lives². While the condition is most common in children¹, it can affect people of all ages.

There are many different types of eczema, or dermatitis. These include:

Atopic dermatitis³, the most common type of eczema, refers to the classic scaly patches that usually begin in childhood and can affect the extensor surfaces of the arms and backs of the knees.
Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis is a result of a reaction to a known irritant and/or allergen that comes in contact with the skin.
Nummular eczema refers to coin-shaped, scaly patches occurring usually on the extremities. It is caused by allergens or very dry skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis occurs in common oil-producing (sebaceous) glands like the upper back, nose and scalp.
Dyshidrotic eczema are small, itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet.
Stasis dermatitis occurs when there is inadequate blood flow in the veins causing swelling, skin redness and itchiness, often occurring in the legs. To better understand what is eczema, download your free guide to eczema. Developed in partnership with Dr. Kristel Polder.

WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA?

While what causes eczema is still unknown, it has been linked to both genetic and environmental factors⁴. Those who develop Eczema symptoms are thought to have an immune system that is reactive to certain irritants.

Eczema patient’s skin is unable to properly retain moisture, which may be caused by a deficiency in naturally occurring moisturizing factors found in normal skin. To understand this, it is important to understand the function of the skin barrier, the protective, outermost layer of our skin. One of its primary functions is to regulate moisture and to keep harmful substances from entering the skin. It helps keep the good things in and the bad things out.

Eczema-prone skin suffers from dysfunctional skin barrier function⁶. This means that it retains less moisture than healthy skin, resulting in dryness. When moisture loss occurs, irritants or other substances penetrate more easily into the skin. They then stimulate the immune system, which overreacts. This triggers clinical signs of eczema to appear: itchiness, inflammation, and redness.

There is increasing research that the skin surface bacteria – collectively known as the skin microbiome – may play a role in the pathology of certain skin conditions, including what causes eczema⁶. A disruption in the natural harmony of skin microbiome is often associated with the symptoms of atopic skin. Certain topical skincare products, particularly those containing “prebiotic” ingredients, may help to promote a balanced skin microbiome. Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is formulated with La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water to help rebalance the skin microbiome⁶. Click HERE to learn more about the Skin Microbiome.

Certain external factors can also trigger eczema. The most common are:

Irritating products:

Fragrances, soaps, laundry detergents
Home cleaning products
Irritating clothing: wool, synthetic fabrics, etc.

Environmental factors:

Dust, dust mites and pollens, which are naturally present in the air
Tobacco and pollution
Changes in temperature
Heat and sweat
Very dry air

Lifestyle factors:

Pets
Emotional stress
Food allergies
Teething
Changes in hormone levels

It is important to note that eczema is a highly individual condition. It affects everyone differently; what causes your eczema or triggers might be something completely different then someone else’s eczema.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ECZEMA?

The most common eczema symptoms include:

Dry, sensitive skin
Red, inflamed skin
Dark colored patches
Itchy rash - difficult to detect in infants, but
Rough, scaly and thickened skin
Oozing eczema patches
Scabs form on the patches

Eczema symptoms can appear on the face, body, or both as a child or adult. Facial eczema is most common type of eczema in babies and children. As children get older, eczema may manifest mainly on the neck and in the skin folds around the elbows, wrist, and behind the knees. The good news is that eczema symptoms subsides in 40-80% of children before they reach the age of 56. However, even if you did not experience eczema as a child, you may still develop it as an adult. To provide daily relief to dry, rough and irritated skin choose products approved by the National Eczema Association like Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream and Lipikar Eczema Cream.

NEXT ARTICE: HOW TO TREAT HAND ECZEMA AND DRY HANDS

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