Eczema history and symptoms
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Eczema Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Eczema On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Eczema |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.
Overview
A number of things should be ascertained when diagnosing eczema. A thorough history taking must be done to elicit family history, dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and allergies. If the patient is positive for any of these, this disease can be detected through its clinical manifestations.
History
Given the many possible reasons for eczema flare-ups, a doctor is likely to ascertain a number of other things before making a diagnosis.
- An insight into family history
- Dietary habits
- Lifestyle habits
- Allergic tendencies
- Any prescribed drug intake
- Any chemical or material exposure at home or workplace
Symptoms
Because eczema is a set of clinical characteristics and not a single disease, there are many different symptoms. All of them involve inflammation of the skin. The symptoms for the more common ones are:
Atopic Eczema
- Most common form, thought to be genetic and linked to asthma
- Itchy rash is particularly noticeable on head and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks.
Contact Dermatitis
- Allergic: delayed rash caused by an allergen (poison ivy, nickel, etc.)
- Irritant: direct reaction caused by an irritant (ex. types of detergent)
Xerotic Eczema
- Extremely cracked and dry skin that develops into a rash.
- More common in older population.
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis