What Does Eczema Look Like?

Eczema is a dysfunction of the skin barrier that leads to a red, dry, patchy, itchy rash. Although uncomfortable, it is not contagious. Identifying eczema can be tricky. There are several different types of eczema such as atopic, nummular and dishydrotic. All are forms of eczema but have different appearances on the skin. In addition, the skin tone of the skin can also affect the appearance of the eczema. Lets look a little deeper into the different types of eczema:

The Classic Appearance

Atopic dermatitis leads to red, dry, flaky patches on the skin and is the most common form of eczema. These patches are typically seen behind the knees, in the creases of the elbows or on wrists and ankles in children. In severe cases, multiple areas or even most of the body can be affected. In infants it is common to see the cheeks, scalp and arms and legs affected. In adults, hand, eyelid and neck involvement is common. Although certain areas of the body are commonly affected, any person at any age can have eczema in any location on the body.

Nummular Eczema

Also called discoid eczema, nummular eczema appears as circular, coin shaped patches.

Dishydrotic Eczema 

Dishydrotic eczema causes tiny blisters on the sides of the fingers that itch. Flares may come and go.

Skin of Color

Individuals with darker skin tones are also be affected by eczema. However, many times eczema does not look as red on darker skin (even though the inflammation is still there). In many cases, the affected area may look darker than the surrounding skin, or may even have a purple hue.

If you think you may have eczema, or you are still unsure if your rash is eczema, come see us at Monarch Medical. We are here to help you create a plan for clearer skin.