Discoid Eczema
April 22nd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
There is no exact cause of discoid eczema. It can be dry or wet types. It isn’t infectious or hereditary. Discoid eczema isn’t the result of any allergies. It affects all age groups, both men and women although it is much more prevalent in middle age or older men. In younger people it is usually associated with atopic eczema while in adults it is an indication of stress or irritation. In kids, it is sometimes the result of bacteria. The bacteria related and other ca uses are:
- Ostensible skin injury like insect bite or burn may start it off.
- In some kids it shows a sign of manifestation of atopic dermatitis.
- Autoczematisation or id reaction may cause discoid eczema.
- When it runs along leg veins it is termed as discoid eczema.
- During winter season dry skin causes non itchy round patches.
Discoid eczema appears mostly on the lower legs as patches. It may manifest itself one of two patches at a time or may appear randomly. Oval, round, disc or coin shapes of affected skin are the general shapes. They can be as small as a couple of millimeters or as large as several centimeters.
The color or markings of the patches may be pink, red or brown but they are very definable. The surface of the skin is cracked and bumpy. It can be hardly noticeable or it can be irritatingly itchy. The patches generally clear up, not leaving any sign of it. Rarely if the skin is dark enough the discoloration may last for a long time.
Between atopic and discoid eczema, the discoid brand of eczema is harder to get rid of. The most effective treatments for discoid eczema are steroids and antibiotics. When you are suffering from discoid eczema, these are the safety measures you can take to alleviate the problem:
- Protect your skin from injury: discoid eczema often starts from small injuries, so whenever you suffer such an injury be careful and cover up the injured part. Stay away from detergents, solvents and other chemicals that may cause irritation to the skin.
- Emollients: An emollient consists of bath oils, soap substitute and moisturizing creams. You can use them frequently to keep your skin less oily with moisture. Try different products and decide which one suits you. Regular use of products such as glycerin, cetomacrogol, aqueous cream, white soft paraffin and wool fat lotions can help with discoid eczema.
- Topical steroids: these are anti inflammatory creams or ointments, accessible only with a prescription. Application on the patches should be done twice a day for 15 days
- Oral or topical antibiotics: antibiotics as needed if the dermatitis is howling, sticky or coated.
Ken
