Minneapolis Eczema Dermatologist

Symptoms of Eczema

The symptoms associated with eczema can vary based on multiple factors, including the type of eczema you experience. The most common symptoms include:

• Dry, cracked skin
• Inflamed and itchy skin
• Rash on swollen skin
• Small, raised bumps
• Thickened areas of skin
• Raw, irritated, and sensitive skin due to scratching
• Darkened skin around the eyes

Types of Eczema

There are seven different types of eczema:

• Atopic dermatitis, which is common in small children and causes inflamed, dry, and itchy skin
• Contact dermatitis, also known as allergic contact dermatitis, is the result of various environmental triggers
• Dyshidrotic eczema, which can cause dryness, rashes, blisters, and a burning sensation
• Neurodermatitis, also known as discoid eczema, causes small patches of the skin to become irritated and scaly
• Nummular eczema, or nummular dermatitis, causes small, circular lesions on various parts of the body, primarily the arms and legs
• Seborrheic dermatitis, which causes inflammation in the scalp
• Stasis dermatitis, which causes discoloration on the skin of the legs and can look similar to varicose veins

It’s possible to have multiple types of eczema simultaneously, as each can have its own set of triggers and affect different areas of your body. Because of this variation, each type of eczema can require a different treatment.

What Triggers Eczema?

Eczema isn’t a curable condition, but many people often experience periods of minimal symptoms and occasional flare-ups. Those flare-ups often occur due to specific triggers, which can differ for everyone.

For example, your eczema might flare up when you come into contact with specific soaps, detergents, or solvents. Eczema damages your skin barrier, leaving your body more susceptible to irritants, so you may find that your flare-ups are worse when you use specific hygiene and cleaning products.

In other cases, the flare-ups might stem from hormonal changes or stress. Fluctuations in your hormones, such as during pregnancy or a stressful period in your life, may trigger a flare-up. Other potential triggers can include:

• Certain fabrics, such as wool
• Tight clothing
• Skin infections, such as a staph infection
• High or low temperatures
• Humidity levels
• Perspiration

It’s important to remember that everybody is different. Your triggers might not be the same as someone else’s, so it might take time to observe and identify what factors trigger your flare-ups.