Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause red, itchy, and scaly rashes. At Aglow Dermatology in NYC, we provide specialized treatment for all seven types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis.
If you seek eczema treatment we have many options are available. Please make an appointment with our eczema dermatologist Dr. Dina D. Strachan, MD.
The skin is the body's largest organ. It functions as barrier that maintains fluid balance and temperature. It also keeps out infectious agents, irritants, and allergens. When someone has eczema the skin barrier is compromised. This creates inflammation which results in a rash.
Eczema Contents
Types of Eczema
Eczema can be further divided into seven different types:
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It tends to start in infancy and get better with age. Adults, however, also suffer with atopic eczema. Atopic dermatitis has a genetic predisposition. It commonly occurs in people or families who also have allergies, hay fever, asthma, and hives. People with atopic dermatitis have naturally drier skin.
When the skin gets dry it becomes inflamed, itchy, and develops eczema. One could say with respect to dry skin that people with atopic dermatitis have a “head start.” Atopic dermatitis tends to flare in cold, dry climates. Some patients with atopic dermatitis tend to flare in their body folds in very humid weather.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that is caused by direct contact with a substance that either causes an allergic reaction (eg. poison ivy) or breaks down the skin barrier causing an irritant reaction (eg. bleach) Allergic contact dermatitis tends to itch whereas irritant dermatitis tends to burn. Diaper dermatitis is a form of irritant contact dermatitis.
Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis, also known as lichen simplex chronicus, begins with an itch. Chronic scratching of the skin causes it to develop thick, leathery plaques. It tends to be localized.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic Eczema presents itself as small, fluid-filled blisters that form on the palms of the hand, sides of the fingers, and sometimes the bottom of the feet. People sometimes describe it as looking like tapioca pudding. Ironically, it can be associated with sweaty hands and feet.
Nummular Eczema
Presenting as small "coin" shaped patches that are itchy and sometimes oozing, Nummular Eczema forms circular shapes scattered around the skin. The condition can be triggered by dry skin, can happen at any age, and seems to affect males more than females. Although nummular dermatitis can look like the fungal infection, Tinea corporis, nummular eczema is not contagious.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema that appears on the oilier parts of the body such as the scalp, face, upper chest, upper back, and sometimes arm pits and genitals. Also known as "dandruff," it’s a hypersensitivity to normal yeast that live on the skin. The condition seems to flare seasonally, most commonly in the spring, fall, and in very cold weather. This type of eczema is more common in people who are immunocompromised and neurologically compromised.
Stasis Dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis is a type of eczema that develops from circulatory problems. It occurs most commonly in the legs. When the veins are unable to circulate the blood back to heart as effectively, pressure builds up and blood leaks out of the skin causing not only eczema but sometimes ulcers.
Diagnosis for Eczema
Your dermatologist will take a history and do a physical examination to determine what kind of eczema you have. Many factors such as family history, other medical problems, habits, and more determine the kind of eczema a person has.
What are Causes of Eczema
The cause of eczema depends on the type of eczema, as discussed above.
Signs and Symptoms for Eczema
- itch
- burning
- redness
- scaling.
- thick and leathery skin from chronic scratching
- discoloration
Is Eczema Contagious?
None of the types of eczema are contagious. Atopic dermatitis can be passed down genetically through family members. Contact dermatitis can be spread if someone is a carrier of the agent and spreads it to someone else. For example, some people may develop contact dermatitis after petting their dog who had been rolling around in poison ivy.
Eczema on Black Skin
African Americans and other people with skin of color may be more likely to complain of skin discoloration, either lighter or darker, when they have eczema. Some types of atopic dermatitis, such as follicular eczema, are more common in African Americans. Some studies show that atopic dermatitis is more common in Asians and Blacks. It appears to be caused by different mutations.
Hand Eczema
Hand eczema is a common problem in adults, particularly in those with atopic dermatitis, in professions where employees have to wash their hands frequently such as health care and food services. New parents and pet owners are also more prone to hand eczema. In addition to atopic hand eczema people may have allergic or irritant contact hand eczema. Hand eczema may also be dyshidrotic.
Shop: hand eczema creams
Can Eczema Cause Hair Loss?
Dr. Strachan is an expert in treating both eczema and hair loss. Watch as Dr. Strachan discusses if eczema causes hair loss, and learn more about hair restoration here.
Prevention of Eczema
- keep skin from getting dry
- removing excess oil (seborrheic dermatitis)
- avoiding irritants and allergens
- compression stockings and elevate legs (stasos dermatitis)
Eczema Treatment
The treatment of eczema will depend on the type and severity. The foundation of eczema treatment is good barrier care, also known as gentle skin care. This involves personal hygiene practices that don’t allow the skin to dry:
- Avoid bathing more than once a day.
- Use a gentle cleanser.
- Avoiding hot water.
- Using moisturizer shortly after bath, shower, or hand washing.
- Humidifying the environment.
How Your Dermatologist Can Help: Eczema Treatments
In addition to good barrier care, our dermatologist can help treat your eczema with a variety of topical and systemic medications and treatments:
- Topical and oral steroids.
- Cacineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus
- Biologics- injected
- JAK inhibitors - oral and topical
- Roflumilast - topical
- hypochlorus acid - topical
- Antihistamines - oral
- antibiotics - oral and topical
- ultraviolet light therapy (excimer laser)
FAQ- Eczema Treatment
Can your cure eczema forever?
Technically, no, however, this does not mean that one will always have eczema flares. Eczema has to be managed. Atopic dermatitis is a specific type of eczema that starts in infancy and often improves with age. People with atopic dermatitis have naturally drier skin. They are generally at increased risk of having an eczema flare. Anyone, however, can develop eczema if their skin gets dry enough.
Are steroids for eczema safe?
Steroids for eczema are safe to use if done under the supervision of a board-certified dermatologist. Steroids come in different strengths and modes of delivery. They are effective to treat eczema but like any medication they can have side effects.
Eczema vs Psoriasis
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that tends to start in infancy caused by a disrupted skin barrier that causes dry skin and resultant flare. It can occur anywhere on the body but characteristically affects the flexural surfaces in front of the elbows and behind the knees. Atopic dermatitis is associated with alleriges and asthma. Psoriasis is also an inflammatory skin disease but it tends to start in adulthood. It is characterized by well-defined red, scaly plaques with a thick scale. Psoriais can also appear all over the body but characteristically on the elbows and knees. Psoriasis is associated with arthritis and heart disease.
Why eczema flares up?
Atopic dermatitis flares can be triggered by:
- cold, dry weather
- high humidity that breaks down skin barrier- particularly in skin folds
- diapers
- wool fabrics
- fragrances
- allergies- both food and environmental
- stress
Eczema Treament in NYC at Algow Dermatology
Eczema comes in many different types and forms. Each case is unique and cannot always be understood or treated without experienced doctor's care. It can be important to get treated by a specialist for eczema.
If you need to see an eczema doctor or a doctor for rashes, Dr. Dina Strachan is a board-certified dermatologist and eczema specialist in NYC. If you have any questions or concerns about eczema or your skin, please call Aglow Dermatology at 212-627-1004 or click here to schedule a consultation.