Primary Types of Eczema:

Eczema

This may sound like a strange word to you. It actually comes from the Greek language, and means “to erupt” or “to boil.” This is an appropriate name if you think about it – the itching and scratching can make people with eczema feel like their skin is on fire. All types of eczema involve itching and inflammation, and a resulting rash. Sometimes people use the word “eczema” for atopic dermatitis, even though AD is just one time of eczema. Eczema is another word for dermatitis.

Dermatitis

This is an inflammation of the skin. In other words, it is when your skin feels warm and hurts because you have been injured (or in the case of eczema, your body THINKS it has been injured). This is generally used as another word for eczema.

Atopic Dermatitis

This is the most common form of eczema. The itchiness and resulting rashes and skin infections are caused by a biological difference in the skin. People with AD have skin that dries out easily. Plus, their immune systems (the system in our bodies that fights off germs and diseases) are a little different. Sometimes the immune system overreacts, and causes the skin to become inflamed and to itch even though there is no infection. This itchiness can then lead to scratching, which can lead to a rash, which can lead to bacteria entering the body and causing an infection. Basically, the skin has a tough time keeping moisture IN and bacteria OUT.

Other Types of Eczema:
These are other kinds of eczema (or “dermatitis”) which are less common than atopic dermatitis:

Allergic Contact Eczema

Many people are allergic to poison oak and poison ivy. Your body reacts to these plants because your immune system senses that the oils on the plants are something that your body should fight off. If you have ever had a reaction to poison oak or poison ivy, you have experienced allergic contact eczema. It is definitely not a pleasant experience – your skin gets inflamed and itchy, and might even ooze fluid.

Asteatotic Eczema

This type of eczema usually affects only the elderly. It causes small cracks in the skin, often on the lower legs.

Contact Eczema

The skin “flares up” when something that you are allergic to touches it. Things like cleaning products and paints might set off the reaction. The area becomes inflamed and itches.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

This kind of eczema affects the hands and feet. It causes itchy blisters on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Hand Eczema

This is a rash that only affects the hands. People with hand eczema get itchy rashes from washing dishes by hand without gloves, using detergents that irritate the skin, or from an allergic reaction to latex.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus

This type of eczema is very localized, and results from a person perpetually scratching or rubbing at one place. The result can be thicker or darker skin in that area. Sometimes it is caused by a nervous habit.

Neurodermatitis

Something like a mosquito bite on the legs or arms can set this type of eczema off. The skin affected becomes very inflamed due to scratching, and eventually appears scaly.

Nummular Eczema

Usually only affecting adults, this type of eczema causes patches of skin to become itchy and scaly. Places on the body normally affected are the back, arms, and legs. In some patients the rashes are caused by a kind of fungus.

Seborrheic Eczema

This type of eczema most commonly affects the head and face. The rash is greasy or oily, scaly, and yellowed. In babies it is known as “cradle cap,” and in adults it often appears as dandruff. A type of fungus probably causes it.

Stasis Dermatitis

This type of eczema usually affects people with varicose veins or other circulatory problems (which are problems with how your body moves blood and other substances throughout your system). Only the legs from the knees down are affected. The skin can become bumpy and darker in color.