Nummular Eczema

Nummular Eczema

What Is Nummular Eczema?

Nummular eczema, also known as nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema, is a chronic condition that produces coin-shaped spots on the skin. These spots are often itchy and may ooze or become crusty.

Most common in elderly men, nummular eczema is a relatively uncommon condition that is not contagious.



Nummular eczema, also known as nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema, is a chronic condition that produces coin-shaped spots on the skin. These spots are often itchy and may ooze or become crusty.

Most common in elderly men, nummular eczema is a relatively uncommon condition that is not contagious.

What Causes Nummular Eczema?

There is no known cause of nummular eczema. Many people with nummular eczema also have a personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or atopic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes itchy or scaly rashes). Often, people with nummular eczema have sensitive skin that is easily irritated.

The following reportedly worsens symptoms:

•     temperature changes (especially hot or cold conditions)
•     stress
•     dry skin
•     environmental irritants, such as soaps, detergents, metals, and formaldehyde

Rarely, a medication allergy may be implicated.

The following conditions may increase your risk of developing nummular eczema:

•     living in a cold, dry climate
•     having dry skin
•     having poor blood flow or swelling in the legs
•     having another type of eczema or dermatitis
•     having injured skin (from an injury, insect bite, or allergic reaction)
•     having a bacterial infection on the skin

Symtoms For Nummular Eczema?

The symptoms for Nummular eczema include the following:

• itching
• skin problem or abnormality
• skin redness
• skin bump
• is your skin lesion or abnormality a patch or patches that are greater than half a penny in diameter?
• would you describe your skin problem or abnormality as round?
• rough skin issues
• blisters
• oozing skin lesion
• rash

You don't have to have all of the symptoms above to be diagnosed with Nummular eczema. Take the diagnostic quiz to determine whether you may have this disease.

Diagnosing Nummular Eczema

To diagnose nummular eczema, your doctor will ask about your family medical history and visually inspect your skin. Skin biopsies (removal of a small piece of skin to be tested) may be used to help rule out other conditions, such as an infection.

If your doctor suspects the lesions are a result of an allergic reaction, he or she may do allergy testing as well. This may include skin tests, blood tests, or elimination and challenge tests to determine what, if any, substances you are allergic to.

Treatment

As there is no cure for this condition, nummular eczema treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms. However, right diagnosis is very much important, as tests have to be conducted, so as to rule out the possibility of other diseases. One of the most important part of the treatment is the avoidance of triggers and maintaining a well moisturized skin. Emollients are used to reduce the dryness of the skin, itching, scaling and burning sensations. Topical steroids are also prescribed for chronic cases, to reduce the irritation and other symptoms. While, stronger ones are used for a few days at repeated intervals, mild ones can be used daily, if instructed by the doctor. Some of the affected people may respond well to antibiotics, especially, those with oozing lesions. In case of severe itching, antihistamines may also be prescribed. Ultraviolet treatment for a prolonged period is found to be effective in controlling the condition in some people.

To conclude, it is always recommended to avoid triggers. Some people resort to natural remedies and alternative medicine for relief from this skin disorder. According to some health experts, avoiding allergens like, dairy products, gluten rich foods and food additives, may prove beneficial in reducing the symptoms associated with nummular eczema. However, self medication must be strictly avoided.