Types of eczema
OPTIMISING MOISTURISER USE IN CHILDHOOD ECZEMA
Types of eczema
Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause skin to become itchy, inflamed and red (in lighter skin tones) or brown, purple, grey or ashen (in darker skin tones).2
There are several types of eczema.2 The table on the right provides examples of some of the types.
This module will focus on the most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis.2
| Type of eczema | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Atopic dermatitis | Dysfunctional immune system triggers inflammation that damages skin; may overlap with other types of eczema |
| Contact dermatitis | Caused by irritants that damage skin cells or a delayed allergic reaction |
| Neurodermatitis | Extremely itchy patches of skin; over time scratching causes skin to become dry and thickened |
| Seborrhoeic dermatitis | Red, scaly patches develop in areas with numerous sebaceous (oil-producing) glands (e.g. upper back, nose and scalp) |
Features of skin affected by atopic dermatitis (also known as atopic eczema):
