Types of eczema
In this Article
Contact Eczema
Atopic Dermatitis
Follicular Eczema
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Varicose Eczema
Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Eczema)
Asteatotic Eczema
Looking After Your Eczema Prone Skin
Eczema is a common skin condition that results in red, itchy and inflamed skin. The terms eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably to describe the same condition so you’ll see both words being used in this article and when you’re researching the topic.
There are various different types of eczema and understanding which eczema type you have can be helpful in managing and treating your skin. It’s also possible to have more than one type of eczema at a time.
Here we discuss how many different types of eczema there are, how to recognise each eczema type, common eczema causes, the symptoms of each eczema type, eczema triggers and how it can be caused. We also discuss the basics of treating eczema, but for more on this topic see our page dedicated to eczema treatment.
Contact Eczema
One of the most common types of eczema is contact eczema, also commonly known as contact dermatitis. Contact eczema is caused by coming into contact with something that you’re sensitive to. There are two main types of contact eczema or dermatitis - irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is triggered by an irritant directly and frequently touching the skin. It’s often associated with repeated use of a product, for example if you work as a cleaner, hairdresser, construction worker or in the healthcare industry. Of all the different types of eczema it’s therefore one of the most difficult to manage.
Irritants include soaps, chemicals, solvents, resins, metals or even repeated and excessive contact with water. It can also be caused by exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as rain and cold winds.
Irritant contact dermatitis most commonly affects the hands and face and causes the following symptoms:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Itching
- Painful ‘burn-like’ redness
- Fluid filled ulcers
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is less common than other different types of eczema and is triggered by an internal allergic response within the immune system to something touching the skin. Allergic responses tend to build up over time, and something that you used to be able to tolerate could become an allergic trigger with repeated use. The reaction can be instant or delayed.
Allergens include nickel (found in jewellery and watches), perfumes and certain ingredients used as preservatives in skincare products and hair dyes.
Allergic contact dermatitis is most commonly seen on the hands and causes the following symptoms:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Painful stinging
- Itching
- Soreness
- Split or cracked skin
- Weeping
- Fluid filled blisters
In both cases - irritant contact and allergic contact eczema, avoiding the trigger irritant or allergen will help to control contact dermatitis.
Atopic Dermatitis
The word ‘atopic’ means to have a family history of a condition and therefore a genetic predisposition to developing the condition.
Atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis is a type of skin condition that can run in families. That said, it isn’t guaranteed that you’ll have it if a family member does, and it can skip whole generations.
Of all the different types of eczema, atopic eczema is at the top of the list. It’s the most common type of eczema and is normally a long term condition. It usually develops in infants, meaning that it can continue to affect an individual at various points in their lives. Some people however do ‘grow out’ of their atopic eczema.
This type of eczema is triggered by a combination of genetic factors, dry skin and an immune response to an environmental irritant such as soaps or perfumes or an allergen such as pollen, animal fur or house dust mite droppings.
Excessive sweating and wearing woollen clothing can also be a trigger. It usually develops alongside hay fever and asthma.
Atopic eczema causes the following symptoms:
- Dryness
- Scaling
- Redness
- Itching
- Cracking
- Crusting
- Weeping
It can affect any part of the body but most commonly the hands, insides of the elbows, behind the knees, behind the ears, face and scalp. It can be so severe that it can cause cracking behind the ears and on the insides of the elbows and other creases.
Resisting the urge to scratch the skin affected by flare ups will help to prevent symptoms getting worse.
Follicular Eczema
Follicular eczema is a type of atopic eczema that affects the hair follicles all over the body. Like atopic eczema, follicular eczema often runs in families and can begin in infancy. It’s also caused by the same triggers as atopic eczema – irritants and allergens that the skin cannot cope with.
This type of eczema causes the following symptoms:
- Itching
- Rashes
- Dryness
- Cracking
- Scaling
- Crusting
- Weeping
Clean flannels soaked in warm water and applied to the affected areas can help to soothe the symptoms of follicular eczema.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrheic eczema, usually occurs on areas of skin that naturally have a higher concentration of sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce a substance called sebum, which is a natural, wax-like skin oil that keeps it hydrated and protected.
It’s as yet unclear what causes seborrheic dermatitis but doctors think that our genetics and hormones play a role. Seborrheic eczema isn’t caused by external irritants or allergens but can be triggered by inflammation caused by an overgrowth of a yeast that naturally lives on the skin.
This kind of dermatitis affects the oilier areas of skin such as that on the scalp, nose, ears, chest and upper back, more commonly in men than women. In babies it’s known as cradle cap when it affects their scalps.
Seborrheic dermatitis causes the following symptoms:
- Dryness
- Flaking skin
- Dandruff (if on the scalp)
- Irritation
- Crusting
- Redness
- Puffiness
- Greasiness
Seborrheic dermatitis is difficult to treat but antifungal creams available on prescription from your GP can help to keep the itching and flaking at bay. Medicated shampoos containing ketoconazole, coal tar or zinc can also help if your scalp is affected.
Varicose Eczema
Varicose eczema usually affects the skin of the lower legs, most commonly in those who also have varicose veins. It’s a long term condition that can come and go and is also known as venous eczema.
This type of eczema, whilst caused by having varicose veins, can be triggered by long periods of standing that leads to the swelling of the legs and a flare up of the itching, redness and other symptoms associated with varicose eczema.
Varicose eczema causes the following symptoms:
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
- Dryness
- Peeling
- Scaling
- Crusting
- Pain
Some people with varicose eczema can also develop discoloured or hardened skin or small white scars called atrophie blanche. If you’re suffering with varicose eczema, particularly if your skin has patches of brown discolouration or scarring, seek help from your GP. If left untreated, you could develop painful leg ulcers.
Varicose eczema can also be triggered by an immune response to fluid leaking from the varicose veins in the legs, so it’s important to keep moving and not sit still for too long. Raising your legs when resting will also help.
You may also need to be referred to a vascular, or vein, specialist if your varicose veins are causing you a lot of discomfort.
Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Eczema)
Pompholyx, also referred to as dyshidrotic eczema, usually affects adults under the age of 40. It’s more common in women than in men.
It affects the fingers and palms of the hands and less commonly, the toes and soles of the feet. When it affects the hands, it’s also sometimes called vesicular palmoplantar eczema. Pompholyx can clear up on its own after a few weeks, and generally causes the following symptoms, usually in the following order:
- Severe itching
- Burning Multiple, small blisters
- Weeping
- Larger, weeping blisters that spread to the limbs
- Infected skin with pus and golden crusting
- Drying, cracking and peeling as the skin begins to heal
Doctors cannot be sure what causes dyshidrotic eczema but they think it could flare up due to fungal infections, skin irritants and allergens including soap, perfumes and nickel plated jewellery, stress and profuse sweating.
If your dyshidrotic eczema doesn’t clear up on its own, or keeps flaring up, your GP can help.
Asteatotic Eczema
Most common in adults over 60 years old, asteatotic eczema is also known as eczema cracquelée. This kind of eczema is characterised by a painful cracking of the skin that looks like crazy paving.
Asteatotic eczema mainly affects the skin on the shins but can also develop on the thighs, lower back and upper arms. Doctors are unsure what causes asteatotic eczema but they think it’s triggered by a reduction of the natural oils that hydrate the skin.
Vigorous scrubbing of the skin during showering or towel drying, hot baths and naturally having dry, rough skin can also trigger flare ups.
This kind of eczema causes the following symptoms:
- ‘Crazy paving’ looking skin
- Severe dryness
- Bright pink or red grooves in the skin
Keeping the skin moisturised by using a strong emollient cream, avoiding hot baths and treating your skin gently in the shower and whilst drying will all help to reduce flare ups.
Looking After Your Eczema Prone Skin
Having any of the different types of eczema can be upsetting and stressful. Here at Sönd, we know what it’s like to have stressed out, non conformist skin.
That’s why we developed our alkalizing range of skincare products that are specifically designed to nourish, protect and hydrate skin that’s acting up.
Using our products on your eczema prone skin can help to calm the redness and irritation, and help to reduce the frequency and severity of your flare ups. Give us a try today!