What are the different types of eczema?
In this blog we focus on the six of the more common forms of eczema or dermatitis as it also known:
Atopic eczema
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin which results in a reddish colour, swelling, cracking and itchiness. Atopic eczema impacts around 20% of people at some point in their lives, it tends to be more common with younger children. Women and men are affected equally.
Seborrheic Eczema
Seborrheic dermatitis is a long-term skin condition which most often occurs on the scalp but also on other oil-producing areas of the skin including the chest and the face. The skin will become reddish in colour, inflamed, scaly and itchy. Dandruff on the scalp is a milder form of the condition. Men are more affected by seborrheic dermatitis.
Contact Eczema
Contact dermatitis is a localised rash which occurs when the skin comes into contact with a foreign agent. There are three different types of contact dermatitis: allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis and photo contact dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis refers to the reaction of the skin to certain types of chemical contact. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by repeated contact with substances that aggravate the skin which includes soaps, detergents, industrial chemicals or other solvents. Photo contact dermatitis is also referred to as photo dermatitis is when a person has had contact with an allergen (which could be any number of things but includes sunscreen, a fragrance or a medication) combined with exposure to UV radiation which triggers an adverse skin reaction.
Stasis Eczema
Stasis dermatitis is also known as gravitational dermatitis or venous eczema and occurs when someone has poor circulation in their veins. This condition generally occurs in the lower legs and can create severe swelling and discolouration of the skin. Women over the age of 50 are most likely to experience stasis eczema.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic dermatitis is when someone gets itchy blisters on the edges of their fingers, palms, toes and feet. Common triggers include pollen, moist hands and feet from sweating or contact with water. The irritation may last up to three weeks at a time and the blisters are likely to dry with the skin cracking. Women are twice as likely as men to experience dyshidrotic eczema.
Nummular Eczema
Nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema is also known is a chronic skin condition which results in coin shaped spots to appear on the skin. Affected areas normally include arms and legs but can also develop on the hands and torso. The lesion may be brown, pink or red and are likely to cause a burning sensation and itchiness. Men are more likely to be impacted, but women can also experience the condition.
Solbari has developed a sensitive fabric range of clothing specifically for those with eczema who are also looking to protect themselves from the sun with UPF 50+ protection. Solbari UPF 50+ sensitive fabric is made from a blend of bamboo and cotton which is super soft on the skin and helps regulate the body temperature in hot, sunny conditions. Keeping cool in the heat will reduce the likelihood of flare ups of eczema. UPF 50+ sun protective clothing is particularly important for those impacted by photo contact dermatitis which is triggered by exposure to sunlight.
Solbari is the leading UPF 50+ sun protection brand in Australia with customers in over 70 countries. Solbari offers an award winning range of UPF 50+ sun protective clothing, sun hats, UV arm sleeves and sun umbrellas.
You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the blue links below:
Women UPF 50+
Men UPF 50+
Sun Hats UPF 50+
Accessories UPF 50+
