eczema

(ĕk`səmə), acute or chronic skin disease characterized by redness, itching, serum-filled blisters, crusting, and scaling. Predisposing factors are familial history of allergic disorders (hay fever, asthma, or eczema) and sensitivity to contact allergens or certain foods. The condition is often irritated by excessive sweating, exposure to extreme heat or cold, and abnormal dryness or oiliness of the skin. Eczema may occur at any age and in both sexes. It is frequently chronic and difficult to treat, and it tends to disappear and recur. Itching can be extreme and severe, and it can often lead to an emotional disturbance. Treatment usually necessitates the avoidance of all unnecessary skin irritation; creams or lotions containing topical immunomodulators, such as tacrolimus (ProTopic and Eladil), or corticosteroids are sometimes helpful. Care should be taken to avoid secondary infections.

Eczema

an acute or chronic noncontagious inflammatory disease of the skin, neuroallergic in nature and characterized by various eruptions, a burning sensation, itching, and a tendency to recur. A variety of factors, both external (mechanical, chemical, thermal) and internal (diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine and nervous systems), are conducive to the development of eczema.

Several forms of eczema are distinguished, depending on the cause, site, and nature of the inflammation. True eczema is marked by a sudden onset; multiple sites of inflammation, including the nails; symmetrical location of the foci, which have indistinct contours; and reddening of the skin in the affected area. Other symptoms are the formation of minute blisters, some of which change into pustules or moist spots (hence the obsolete name “weeping lichen”), and later the formation of scales and crusts.

In microbial eczema (perivulnus), the foci are usually arranged asymmetrically, mainly on the upper and lower limbs, and have sharp, irregular contours. The skin near the lesions is bluish red and thickened and has pustular and other eruptions and purulent and bloody crusts. Reddening of the skin, edema, numerous blisters, nodules, pustules, and weeping spots occur, mainly on the palms, soles, and fingers.

Seborrheic eczema, or dermatitis seborrheica, is localized mainly on the scalp, forehead, and chest, behind the ears, around the nose and lips, in the armpits, in the groin, and around the umbilicus. The scalp is red and dry, with many grayish scales and seropurulent crusts on a moist surface. Reddening, edema, and weeping are quite pronounced, and there may be painful cracks. The trunk has clearly yellowish pink desquamative spots, some with tiny nodules in the center.

Treatment, depending on the cause and form of the eczema, includes the use of sedatives (valerian, tranquilizers), vitamins (B₁ B₆, C), and desensitizing and other agents. Also advisable are special diets, treatment in health resorts, and the local application of lotions, pastes, ointments, and antipruritic agents.

REFERENCES

Shakhtmeister, I. Ia. Patogenez i lechenle ekzemy i neirodermita. Moscow, 1970.
Kozhnye i venericheskie bolezni, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1975.

I. IA. SHAKHTMEISTER

eczema

[′ek·sə·mə] (medicine) Any skin disorder characterized by redness, thickening, oozing from blisters or papules, and occasional formation of fissures and crusts.

eczema

Pathol a skin inflammation with lesions that scale, crust, or ooze a serous fluid, often accompanied by intense itching or burning

eczema

[ek´zĕ-mah] 1. any superficial inflammatory process involving primarily the epidermis, marked early by redness, itching, minute papules and vesicles, weeping, oozing, and crusting, and later by scaling, lichenification, and often pigmentation.2. atopic dermatitis.
Eczema is a common allergic reaction in children but it also occurs in adults, usually in a more severe form. Childhood eczema often begins in infancy, the rash appearing on the face, neck, and folds of elbows and knees. It may disappear by itself when an offending food is removed from the diet, or it may become more extensive and in some instances cover the entire surface of the body. Severe eczema can be complicated by skin infections. Childhood eczema may persist for several years or return after the child is older. Persons suffering from childhood eczema may develop another allergic condition later, most often hay fever or asthma.Cause and Treatment. Eczema is sometimes caused by an allergic sensitivity to foods such as milk, fish, or eggs. Inhalant allergens such as dust and pollens rarely cause eczema. Treatment involves the use of soothing baths, moisturizing creams, topical steroids, and oral antihistamines to alleviate itching. See also allergy.eczema herpe´ticum disseminated herpes simplex (see kaposi's varicelliform eruption).eczema margina´tum tinea cruris.eczema vaccina´tum disseminated vaccinia (see kaposi's varicelliform eruption).

ec·ze·ma

(ek'zĕ-mă, eg'zĕ-mă, eg-zē'mă), Avoid the mispronunciation ecze'ma and the misspellings exzema, ecxema, and other variants. Do not confuse this word with exemia.Generic term for inflammatory conditions of the skin, particularly with vesiculation in the acute stage, typically erythematous, edematous, papular, and crusting; followed often by lichenification and scaling and occasionally by duskiness of the erythema and, infrequently, hyperpigmentation; often accompanied by sensations of itching and burning; the vesicles form by intraepidermal spongiosis; often hereditary and associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma. [G. fr. ekzeō, to boil over]

eczema

(ĕk′sə-mə, ĕg′zə-, ĭg-zē′-)n. A noncontagious inflammation of the skin, characterized chiefly by redness, itching, and the outbreak of lesions that may discharge serous matter and become encrusted and scaly.

ec·zem′a·tous (ĕg-zĕm′ə-təs, -zē′mə-təs, ĭg-) adj.

eczema

Dermatology A generic term for a dermatopathy characterized by vesicle formation, papules and crusting overlying an erythematous rash, typically in areas of high concentration of sebaceous glands

ec·ze·ma

(ek'sĕ-mă) Generic term for inflammatory conditions of the skin, particularly with vesiculation in the acute stage, typically erythematous, edematous, papular, and crusting; followed often by lichenification and scaling and occasionally by duskiness of the erythema and, infrequently, hyperpigmentation; often accompanied by sensations of itching and burning; the vesicles form by intraepidermal spongiosis. [G. fr. ekzeō, to boil over]

eczema

(eg-ze'ma, eg'ze-, ek'se-) [L. eczema, fr. Gr. ekzema, fr. ekzein, to boil out] A general term for an itchy red rash that initially weeps or oozes serum and may become crusted, thickened, or scaly. Eczematous rash may result from various causes, including allergies, irritating chemicals, drugs, scratching or rubbing the skin, or sun exposure. It may be acute or chronic. The rash may become secondarily infected. See: dermatitis

Treatment

Avoiding the cause of the rash (such as a sun-sensitizing drug; the leaves of the poison oak plant; an irritating soap or perfume, wool clothing, etc) prevents recurrences and allows the skin to heal. Locally applied astringent solutions (such as Burow's solution), antihistamines, or corticosteroid ointments, tablets, or injections may relieve the inflammation.

Patient care

Patients are helped to identify and avoid allergens in their diet or environment. Clothing should be soft textured, preferably cotton, and washed in a mild detergent and rinsed thoroughly. Fingernails should be kept short to decrease damage from scratching. Antihistamines may help to reduce itching at night. Maintaining a room temperature below 72°F (22°C), using humidifiers during the winter, and bathing in tepid water help keep the skin hydrated and decrease itching. See: ;

asteatotic eczema

Winter itch.

dyshidrotic eczema

Pompholyx.

erythematous eczema

Dry, pinkish, ill-defined patches with itching and burning; slight swelling with tendency to spread and coalesce; branny scaling; roughness and dryness of skin. This type may become generalized.

eczema fissum

Eczema marked by a thick, dry, inelastic skin with cracks and fissures.

eczema herpeticum

Massive crops of vesicles that become pustular, occurring when herpes simplex virus infection occurs in a person, usually an infant, with pre-existing eczema. Synonym: Kaposi varicelliform eruption

lichenoid eczema

Eczema with thickening of the skin.

eczema madidans

Eczema marked by a raw, red surface covered with moisture.NUMMULAR ECZEMA

nummular eczema

Eczema with coin-shaped or oval lesions. It is often associated with dry skin and worsens in dry weather. See: illustration

pustular eczema

Follicular, impetiginous, or consecutive eczema including eczema rubrum, eczema madidans, eczema fissum, and squamous eczema .

eczema rubrum

Eczema marked by a red, glazed surface with little oozing.

seborrheic eczema

Eczema marked by excessive secretion from the sebaceous glands. Synonym: seborrhea

squamous eczema

Chronic eczema on the soles, legs, and scalp; marked by multiple circumscribed, infiltrated patches with thin, dry scales

eczema vaccinatum

The spreading of vaccinia virus to localized areas of skin, or to the entire body, in patients recently vaccinated against smallpox. This reaction is a rare complication of smallpox vaccination, occurring in about 40 per million of newly vaccinated individuals. It usually occurs in people with pre-existing eczema and is occasionally fatal.

vesicular eczema

Eczema accompanied by the formation of vesicles occurring on the hands or feet.

eczema

The effect of a number of different causes and a feature of many different kinds of skin inflammation (dermatitis). It features itching, scaly red patches and small fluid-filled blisters which burst, releasing serum, so that the skin becomes moist, ‘weeping’ and crusty.

eczema

a blistery skin rash usually due to an allergy.

Eczema

A superficial type of inflammation of the skin that may be very itchy and weeping in the early stages; later, the affected skin becomes crusted, scaly, and thick. There is no known cause.Mentioned in: Antiacne Drugs, Corticosteroids, Dermatologic, Itching, Therapeutic Baths, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

eczema

An inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by a rash of red spots, rough scaling, dryness and soreness of the skin sometimes leading to the formation of blisters. It often gives rise to itching or to a burning sensation. It may occur on the skin of the face where parts of spectacles rest. Frames should be cleaned regularly to avoid causing skin irritation. Syn. contact dermatitis.

ec·ze·ma

(ek'sĕ-mă) Generic term for inflammatory skin conditions, particularly with vesiculation in acute stage, typically erythematous, edematous, papular, and crusting; followed often by lichenification and scaling and occasionally by dusky erythema; often hereditary and associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma. [G. fr. ekzeō, to boil over]

Patient discussion about eczema

Q. WHERE CAN I FIND A NATURAL TREATMENT FOR ECZEMA? I HAVE SUFFERED...I MEAN SUFFERED FROM SEVERE ECZEMA THAT LEAVES MY FACE SWOLLEN, BURNING, OOZING, ITCHY, DRY, CRACKED,STINGING. SOMETIMES MY FACE BLEEDS. I DARE NOT CRY BECAUSE TEARS HITS MY FACE LIKE BATTERY ACID. DOCTORS DO NOT HELP ME. THEY ONLY OFFER PREDNISONE AND THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE UNBEARABLE. SOMEONE,PLEASE HELP ME!!!!A. I HAVE SEEN TWO PROMINENT ALLERGY SPECIALIST WHO GAVE ME A BATTERY OF SKIN PATCH TESTS AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. SO THEY JUST REFERRED ME BACK TO DERMATOLOGY WHERE THEY ONLY KNOW PREDISONE AS A THERAPY. I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT SOMEONE CARES AND RESPONDED. I AM OPEN TO OTHER STRATEGIES. THANK YOU.

Q. do you have information or articles on skin eczema that is related to depression, especially in men? A. If you are looking for professional articles, then here's one to start with:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18624873?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Q. Eczema tic itching leads making his skin reddish and abraded. My brothers eczema is very vulnerable to allergens. In spite of steps taken to eliminate this we have not succeeded much. His medicines do not help him. They cannot cure this immune disorder. They have started showing some side effects. His fight for eczema tic itching starts again once he stops his medicines. Eczema tic itching leads making his skin reddish and abraded. If any diet can help then please guide?A. Though food can also trigger eczema symptoms. Thus you must avoid cow`s milk, eggs, shellfish. Avoid dusty areas, pollution. His doctor would have told about the allergens to be avoided just follow them. You can also make him have raw food. It’s said that they help reduce on the return of the symptoms. Use anything as natural as possible, like soaps, clothing and anything which is unnatural. This will help for the eczematic impact to reduce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OUi3KAUCog&eurl=http://www.imedix.com/health_community/v6OUi3KAUCog_eczema_tips?q=eczema&feature=player_embedded

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REFERENCES

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Treatment

Patient care

asteatotic eczema

dyshidrotic eczema

erythematous eczema

eczema fissum

eczema herpeticum

lichenoid eczema

eczema madidans

nummular eczema

pustular eczema

eczema rubrum

seborrheic eczema

squamous eczema

eczema vaccinatum

vesicular eczema

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Patient discussion about eczema

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Words related to eczema

noun generic term for inflammatory conditions of the skin

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