Eczema Skin Symptoms and What to Look For

The itch is unbelievably intense. Sometimes the itch is so intense that you might find it hard to live your life or participate in activities important to you.

In extreme cases, eczema leads to infection because the rash is open and prone to bacteria and other contaminants in the air. The itch-scratch-infection cycle is all to common when eczema is severe.

This means you have an itch...and you scratch it till the rash becomes infected...and then you scratch some more. Each pass usually makes your eczema more intense.

The trick is to control the itch-->scratch-->infection cycle.

How to tell if you have eczema?

Here's a short list of what you can expect from the types of eczema. Eczema skin symptoms will vary by case and more importantly, treatment changes for each.

Atopic eczema:

Atopic eczema is by far the most common and most widely diagnosed. Allergic reactions can cause dry, flaky, itchy skin. Sometimes the skin peels. Other forms of eczema are classified into this type as well.

Treatment:
Mild temperature showers with moisturizer applied within three minutes after patting dry. Oatmeal baths. Avoid scratching.

Asteatotic eczema:

Common symptoms of eczema are dry, weathered skin patches. Asteatotic eczema could develop with age or an extremely dry climate. Also, exposure to too much moisture and overuse of detergent (like dishwashing soap) could trigger this type.

Treatment:
Same as atopic eczema.

Nummular eczema (numular eczema):

The most pronounced eczema symptoms for this type are red boils about the size of a coin. They can dry out in the center and start to look more like psoriasis than eczema. Common triggers include change in season from hot to cold or vise versa. Nummular eczema also tends to come and go.

Treatment:
Same as atopic eczema.

Weeping eczema:

Commonly called weeping eczema because of its wet nature. This form of eczema is usually an cracked, open rash that oozes liquid.

Treatment:
Pay particular attention to the fluid from the sore. If it gets on other parts of your body, this type could spread. Dabbing with a cloth helps. Moist compressions for 10-15 minutes at a time can also help take away some of the inflammation. It's also extremely important to wear loose cotton clothing so you don't create friction between the rash and your clothes.

Dyshidrotic eczema:

Eczema skin symptoms for this type of eczema are usually found on the fingers, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. Dyshidrotic eczema is usually acute or chronic and recurs often. It usually takes the form of small blisters that will form larger bisters as they come together. Blisters are usually opaque. Dyshidrosis is either extremely itchy, painful, or nothing at all.

Treatment:
Dyshidrotic eczema usually goes away on its own when not scratched. If you mess with it, your skin may harden and make treatment more difficult. Use gentle moisturizers. It will help if you wear loose clothing that breathes easily. If you have dyshidrosis on your hands, wear gloves when you can.

Gravitation eczema/stasis eczema/venous eczema:

A common cause of this type is circulation problems in your legs. When you walk, your veins circulate blood up through your body; a blood clot in your lower leg may damage a valve and create a pooling effect in your legs.

Fluid stays down there and your legs become inflamed. In addition to swollen legs, you may develop rashes around your legs that are extremely itchy, red, and cracked. They may also ooze.

Treatment:
Sit down; take a break from standing. If you have this type of eczema, you shouldn't be working at a job where you're constantly on your feet. A career in hairdressing is a no no. Standing will only make your eczema worse.

Take a short walk to encourage circulation.

Knowing the eczema skin symptoms is the first step in the treatment process. You're treatment will vary depending on what type of eczema you have and how severe it is.

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