Here are five common kinds of eczema. This is the most common type of eczema. When people use the word eczema, they usually mean atopic eczema. It tends to run in families where there are other

 

 

 

 

 

allergy
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.

 

 

 

 

 

allergic conditions, such as hay fever and asthma. It is also called atopic dermatitis.

If you have allergic contact dermatitis, your skin has an allergic reaction when you touch (contact) certain things. Some of the things (allergens) that can cause this kind of problem are fragrances, rubber and plants such as poison ivy. About 1 in 5 women in the United States are allergic to nickel, a metal found in earrings, belt buckles and trouser studs.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Zug KA, McKay M.
Eczematous dermatitis: a practical review.
American Family Physician. 1996; 54: 1243-1250, 1253-1254.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ The symptoms these allergens cause are similar to atopic eczema: an itchy red rash. You can prevent this allergic reaction by avoiding the substance that causes it.

This type of eczema starts when you come in contact with a harsh substance that irritates the skin. Chemicals and detergents are the kinds of things that cause it. You usually get an itchy red rash, and you usually get it on your hands. The eczema often starts after you put your hands in the chemicals or detergents over and over.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Friedmann PS.
Allergy and the skin. II-Contact and atopic eczema.
BMJ. 1998; 316: 1226-1229.

 

 

 

 

 

² This type of eczema can be very bad and can last long after you've stopped all contact with the irritating substance.

Seborrheic dermatitis causes red or flaky skin. It usually affects parts of your body that have hair, or where there are folds or creases in your skin. These are the parts of your body that have lots of sebaceous glands. These glands make oil to lubricate your skin. Sebaceous glands give seborrheic dermatitis its name.

Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp can cause dandruff in adults. It can also affect the scalp of babies. When this happens, it's called cradle cap.

This type of eczema tends to affect older people with poor blood circulation. It attacks the lower legs (above the ankles). The skin often looks speckled and feels itchy and dry. Stasis dermatitis is treated in the same way as atopic eczema.

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