Xerotic Eczema (winter itch) - Treatment, Causes, Symptoms, Pictures

Xerotic eczema is also called 'winter itch, it is a skin disorder that is characterized by the presence of extremely dry skin. Dry skin is often called xerosis and hence the name. The name has its origins in a Greek word called ‘xeros’ which means dry.
Xerosis should not be confused with psoriasis which is an extremely serious condition or with another disease known as ‘cirrhosis’ of the liver.

Symptoms of xerotic eczema

• Xerotic eczema is a skin condition that is common and not infectious.
• It tends to occur more frequently during the winter months or during fall when there is low humidity. However, most cases of Xerotic eczema that lead to dry skin result from excessive bathing or showering
• There is progressive drying out of the skin during the cooler months.
• Many people afflicted with xerotic eczema often refer to it as ‘Winter Itch’ because the condition tends to worsen during this season
• A greater frequency of baths can lead to irritation of the skin, increased dryness as well as itching.
• The areas of the body such as the arms, the legs and the trunk region have deficient oil glands and hence such areas are more prone to be afflicted with xerotic eczema
• The drying out of the skin causes the uppermost layer to become stiff and dead. When one bends a body part that has a layer of dead skin, it results in the development of cracks. This can lead to the development of deep rooted fissures on the skin which can become inflamed and irritated leading to severe itching

Causes of xerotic eczema

• One of the most surprising causes of dry skin is water. One usually thinks that water helps the retention of moisture and the prevention of dry skin. But this is not the case. Water takes away all the essential skin oils that are necessary to retain the skin-water. It is the presence of this natural water on skin that gives it the soft and supple texture. But the normal standards of the society ask for vigorous hygiene that results in excessive cleanliness and hence dry skin.
• The skin has a natural layer of oil that protects it from excessive dryness. However, when one has excessive baths, this protective layer of oil is washed away as well along with the dirt. This leads to the extreme dryness of the skin that is symptomatic of xerotic eczema.
• One can safely say that xerotic eczema is a condition that is of recent development, because of the increased standards of personal cleanliness. In the olden days, the number of baths was limited to one a day or even one in two days and there were no cases of the condition. Thus, the few baths actually provided the opportunity for the re-accumulation of the layer of oil on the skin.
• Xerotic eczema does not affect only one particular age group or gender. Men and women as well as children, teenagers, middle-aged and older individuals, all have also reported cases of xerotic eczema on the less oily regions of their body. It may however be noted that older people are more prone to increased dryness of the skin than younger ones.
• Besides age, excessive and numerous baths and colder weather there is one more factor that results in faster drying of the skin leading to xerotic eczema. This is the use of anti-bacterial soaps which have an increasing tendency to dry out the skin. Hence it is essential to choose the right type of soap or bathing items to prevent the drying out of the oil layer on the skin.

Treatment of xerotic eczema

• The best way to treat xerotic eczema is to decrease the number of baths to a minimum of one a day or even one in two or three days. This will help in the re-accumulation of oil on the affected areas of the body. Once the condition has disappeared, individuals can revert to a single bath a day.
• One can get an effective bath and remain clean by following the basic principle of baths that consists of the three ‘gets’, i.e. “get in, get the body clean and then get out”.
• The use of excessive bath oils along with the bath water can result in shower accidents such as slipping and falling. Hence it is advised to use only some amounts of bath oil to apply it on the affected areas of the skin that are already wet. Once the bath is complete, one should use a soft towel to lightly dry off the water from the body so as to prevent the rubbing-off of the bath oil.
• In case one has an extreme case of xerotic eczema, one can use creams or lotions to soothe the dry, inflamed and itchy skin.
• In case the affected areas are very large, then the use of lotions instead of creams is recommended. One must also take care to apply enough amount of lotion to keep the affected areas moist and soft.

Winter itch (Xerotic Eczema) pictures

Here are the pictures of winter itch, find out how the skin looks when affected by xerotic eczema. 

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Nummular Eczema Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment, Causes

Before we check out the Nummular Eczema pictures, let us know more about this type of eczema.

Nummular dermatitis is also referred to as Nummular Eczema. It is a problem of the skin which is typified by the disc shaped or coin shaped patches appearing on the skin that last for several weeks or months. Nummular dermatitis or nummular eczema is more common in males aged 55 to 65 years old; while females often experience this skin condition during their teenage years to early adulthood, around 15 to 25 years old. On the other hand, nummular dermatitis is very uncommon during childhood.

Nummular eczema causes

Though the exact cause of the nummular dermatitis has not yet been determined, there are various suspected reasons for the existence of this skin problem. Having dry skin can contribute to the appearance of nummular eczema because the lipid layer of the epidermis gets damaged when the skin is dry making it more permeable for environmental irritants. When the irritants come in contact with the damaged skin, there would be adverse reactions.

Another possible reason for nummular eczema would be the medications taken by the person. There are some medications that have side effects that lead to eczema such as the Interferon and Ribavirin therapy. The hypersensitivity to the metals found in the mouth such as dental braces can stimulate the immune system to react to it producing nummular eczema or dermatitis.

The following factors can likewise increase the risk of developing nummular dermatitis:

• Cold weather or very low temperatures can induce the body to produce nummular dermatitis.
• Frequently taking a bath may lead to dryness of the skin, which is more prone to the development of the said skin problem.
• Skin injury from insect bites and burns can make the person more susceptible to nummular dermatitis because the injured skin is exposed to the environmental allergens that cause it.
• Using strong detergents and soaps may irritate the skin thus leading to nummular eczema.
• Stress causes different kinds of skin condition. One of the results of stress would be nummular dermatitis.
• Having a skin infection predisposes the person to nummular eczema because the skin integrity is interrupted.
• Hypersensitivity to materials like rubber, mercury and nickel may also make the person suffer from nummular dermatitis.

Nummular Dermatitis symptoms, signs

Nummular dermatitis or nummular eczema can be mistakenly identified as other skin problems, so keen observation of the signs and symptoms of nummular dermatitis should be done. The following signs and symptoms can help confirm the existence of this skin problem:

• Patches that start as vesicles with serum within and later forming crusts.
• Patches that spread to the different parts of the body, but are found more prominently on the buttocks, legs and arms.
• Extreme itchiness can be felt on the affected areas.
• Round or oval shaped patches with varying sizes; from 0.5 inch to 4 inches or greater.
• The color of the patches also varies. They can be red, pink or brown.
• The patches are well defined.
• The skin found surrounding the patches is clear but tends to be dry and irritated.

How can the occurrence of nummular dermatitis be prevented?

There can be several ways to avert nummular dermatitis, which include the following:

• Skin should be taken cared of properly to prevent dryness and skin injury. Using moisturizers and lotions can help prevent dryness of the skin that can cause nummular eczema or dermatitis.
• When doing activities, make sure to have towels or handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat off to avoid over sweating.
• If the temperature is cold, using appropriate protective clothing can help relieve the coldness.
• Avoid exposing the skin to strong chemicals such as gasoline.
• If feeling stressed out, take time to unwind and relax.
• Using mild detergents and soaps to wash hands and clothes is also helpful.

Nummular Eczema treatment

Nummular dermatitis can be treated by different treatment methods. First and foremost is through thorough care of the skin. Doing the steps that can relieve and prevent the signs and symptoms is the best way to cure the condition. In addition, antibiotics can be taken when the nummular dermatitis has already been infected. Meanwhile, phototherapy or ultraviolet light therapy is used to control severe cases of nummular dermatitis. Corticosteroids, either oral or topical, can also be employed to stop the inflammation. Sometimes, antihistamines are used to prevent itching especially at night when the itchiness is at its peak because of the cold atmosphere. This encourages a more restful sleep and helps thwart extreme scratching of the affected area thus preventing significant skin damage and possible infection.

Nummular dermatitis or nummular eczema is not a grave health condition, but it could be very inconvenient and even annoying to deal with as it may constantly recur. But there are plenty of prevention and treatment methods to aid in managing the condition. If these methods are employed properly and diligently, nummular dermatitis can be controlled effectively.

Nummular Eczema pictures

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Pictures of Eczema, Photos, Images, Eczema Types

A look at the following pictures of eczema will help you understand the type, the cause and the treatment methodology. Eczema is an inflammation of the epidermis, the top layer of the skin, a persistent skin condition that manifests in the form of skin edema or swelling, intense itching, redness of the skin, dryness, itching, blistering, flaking, bleeding and oozing of the skin. The term ‘eczema’ has a Greek origin which means ‘to boil over’

Types of Eczema

1. Atopic Eczema- This is a skin allergy that may have a genetic trait and is seen more in people associated with asthma. You can find itchy rash in the scalp, head, behind knees, buttocks etc. Read more about atopic eczema treatment

2. Contact Dermatitis- Contact Dermatitis are of two types- due to allergy to substances like nickel, poison ivy etc and exposure to irritants like certain chemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate in detergents. Here is more information about contact eczema symptoms, treatment

3. Seborrheic dermatitis –Seborrheic eczema is another term for this type of eczema, which includes peeling of eyebrows, face and scalp. In infants, there is a thick, yellowish crusty rash on the scalp, called cradle cap, which is caused due to lack of biotin. Find out more information about seborrheic dermatitis symptoms, treatment

4. Xerotic eczema- Also called winter itch, Xerotic eczema is caused due to dry skin during the winter, which can worsen and turn into eczema. The itchy skin resembles cracked, river bed, and is more evident in old people

5. Nummular Eczema- Also called discoid eczema, this one is in the form of coin shaped round spots that itch. Nummular eczema is mostly found in the lower part of the body, mostly the legs. Check out more  information on discoid eczema symptoms, treatment

6. Dyshidrotic Eczema- Also called house wife’ eczema, this is centered mostly on the sides of the hands, palms, toes, soles etc. The skin thickens, cracks and becomes worse at night. This is a type of hand eczema

7. Lichen Simplex Chronicus- Also known as Neurodermatitis, this type of eczema can become patchy once it is rubbed and scratched. The treatment is in the form of anti-inflammatory medication. Here is more information about lichen simplex chronicus symptoms, treatment 

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Contact Dermatitis Pictures, Treatment, Causes, Symptoms

Contact dermatitis or contact eczema is caused by contact with allergens in the form of substances like shampoo, jewelery, food etc. When this potential allergen comes in contact with the irritant skin, it is medically termed as irritant contact dermatitis. An allergic reaction is likely to develop which is then called as allergic contact dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis Pictures

Symptoms of contact dermatitis

Allergic Contact Dermatitis symptoms

Allergic contact dermatitis happens when the allergen or substance that the individual is allergic to, comes in contact the skin. The person gets these symptoms from this kind of contact dermatitis.
• Scratchy, inflamed, and red skin or dry and rough skin

• Blisters may develop if the reaction is more severe

• Blisters that break, leaving crusts and scaly formations
•
• Flaky skin which can crack
• The skin can become thick, scaly. With time, the skin becomes leathery and dark.

Irritant contact dermatitis symptoms

Irritant contact dermatitis happens when the person is exposed frequently to an irritant like detergent. The symptoms of this type of contact dermatitis includes
• Dry, chapped skin that in time, becomes red, scaly and swollen. The skin can also sting when brought into contact with the allergen. Continuous exposure with the substance can make the skin crack and become too dry and scaly. There are chances of blisters developing into crusty formation and scales.
• If the irritant is strong like acid, the skin can sting, itch and burn. There can be blistering, redness and swelling with scaly formation on the skin.
Once irritant contact dermatitis begins to take form s, exposure to even mild things like water and baby shampoo can make the skin irritate and itch.

Substances that causes allergic contact dermatitis

There are more than 3000 allergens that can lead to allergic contact dermatitis. Some of these substances include
1. Metals: Nickel is one of the most common metal that causes allergic reaction to the skin. Nickel is present in jewelry, foods like chocolates, tomatoes, soy, nuts. The other mental is mercury used in dental fillings that can cause allergic contact dermatitis Gold, chromate, cobalt can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
2. Clothing and footwear: Detergents that are not washed from clothes, dyes, dirt in clothes and leather, rubber or glue in shoes can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
3. Fragrances: The scents found in perfumes, makeup, hair and skin, makeup products can trigger an allergic reaction on the skin. If you think that you are using an ‘unscented’ product, you are still at dark because the fragrance may be masked. Go for products that are labeled ‘fragrance free’.
4. Plants: Plants like poison ivy, poison sumac and other plants that make your skin itch can cause contact dermatitis.
5. Concrete-Concrete is one of the leading causes for hand dermatitis, it is known to cause problems long after one stops being in contact with concrete
6. Rubber accelerators found in gym equipment and mouse pads can also cause contact eczema
7. Antibiotic ointment: Over the counter topical antibiotics as well as using prescription creams without listening to the doctor’s advice can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
8. Exposure to Ultra Violet Rays: This happens when a product like sunscreen cream or a fragrance is applied to the skin and then exposed to the UV rays of the sun. This is known as photo-allergy.
9. Sweating: Sweating can trigger allergic contact eczema. For instance, the person who has an allergy for nickel may not really get the itch, till it comes into contact with the skin.

Irritant contact dermatitis causes

When a substance damages the skin more rapidly than the time the skin can take to heal itself of the irritation, it gives rise to irritant contact dermatitis. Substances that act as trigger here include soaps, detergents, dyes, paints, metals, foods, varnishes, fiber glass, hair dye, cleaners, solvents etc.

Risk factors for contact dermatitis

1. Medical history: If a person has a history of eczema or its common type atopic dermatitis, there can be a risk of allergic contact dermatitis. Genes also play a role.
2. Environment: Extreme heat or a job that increases exposure to allergens can cause contact eczema. For instance, a housewife who is constantly washing clothes with a detergent or cleaning fish can be at risk
3. Age: People below the age of 13 and older people are at risk of contact dermatitis because their immune system is not so strong.
4. Gender: Females are known to be at higher risk for contact eczema
5. Occupation: People who work in certain vocations lke mechanics, janitors, hair-dressers, makeup artists etc are at higher risk of contact dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis Diagnosis and tests

1. The testing and disagnosis begins with the doctor taking the complete medical history of the patient, including asking questions to the person about his skin condition and maintenance.
2. Patch testing is done to find out the allergen that is causing contact dermatitis. During patch test, tape strips that have few amounts of possible allergens are applied to the back of the patient. The amounts are quite small to cause a reaction, if the person is allergic, it is identifiable easily. After 2 days, the patient is asked to return and the tape is removed. If there is a little red spot, it means that the substance is most likely an allergen. The person is also checked again after 96 hours to see if the skin breaks out later.

Contact Dermatitis Treatment

The first thing is to remove the allergen or irritant that is causing problems to the skin. If the substance continues to come in contact with the skin, the eczema can become even more tougher to treat. For patients who are in a profession or job that makes them come in touch with the allergen they may be asked to overcome this problem by wearing gloves or using a barrier cream.

The treatment for contact dermatitis begins with applying moisturizers and emollients throughout the skin. The doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine to stop the itch and she may also ask you to apply a topical corticosteroid or a calcineurin inhibitor to suppress the inflammation. In some cases, where there is severe contact dermatitis, the person may be asked to take phototherapy treatments. In case of an infection, antibiotics may be given. If the eczema continues, then corticosteroids may be injected or given orally for a short time to treat the inflammation.

The patient has to avoid the allergens or irritants that are identified. For instance, if nickel is causing the problem, then the person has to avoid it not just in the form of jewelery but also in foods where nickel is present like tomatoes, canned food etc. Your dermatologist will be the best person to help you with this.

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Lichen Simplex Chronicus Pictures, Treatment, Causes

Lichen Simplex Chronicus pictures show that it is a skin problem that is characterized by continuous scratching and itching.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Pictures

How does Lichen Simplex Chronicus look?

Also called Neurodermatitis or Lichenoid Eczema, this skin problem is characterized by thickened lichenified skin, which looks leathery and brownish. There is a continual scratch-itch cycle. When the person feels stressed or if his skin is rubbed against an irritant like say a cloth, he starts to rub or scatch the area that causes the skin in the part to thicken. Once the skin becomes thick, it causes more itching and the person scratches more, causing Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Causes

1. Atopic Dermatitis
2. Psoriasis
3. Anxiety, stress, nervousness, depression
4. Allergens or irritants like a rusty blade or even an insect bite which is continuously scratched and not treated

Symptoms of Lichen Simplex Chronicus

1. Long-term itching that may continue for even 2 years or more
2. Whenever the person feels stress, he or she starts to scratch more
3. The skin becomes thick due to itching, the areas affected can be face, neck, forearms, thighs, elbow, leg etc.
4. The skin lesion bears distinct borders
5. The skin becomes brownish and leathery

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Tests

A skin lesion biopsy can be enough to tell the doctor about Lichen Simplex Chronicus. A blood test may also be done to find out if the eosinophils in the blood is high, which is a cause of allergens to cause more problems to your skin.

What if Lichen Simplex Chronicus is not treated

If not diagnosed properly or treated in time, there can be a permanent or strong scar that may be difficult to go. Also, there is chance of bacterial skin infection.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Treatment

1. There is no cure, but Lichen Simplex Chronicus can be treated. The most important thing is not to scratch the area because that can only deteriorate problem
2. Depending on the condition, the skin doctor may apply topical steroid creams like Desonide, Fucibet(topical antibiotic) or Halobetasol to stop the itching. Peeling agents that contain salicylic acid like Propysalic (which contains Clobetasol Propionate and Salicylic Acid) may be given to reduce the thickness in the lesions. You may be asked to take bath with medicated soap like Aquasoft
3. Antiistamines and tranquilizers may be given to reduce stress and itching
4. Pixel laser treatment may be given after the itching is brought into control to treat scars

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Hand Eczema Pictures, Treatment- Hand Dermatitis

Look at the hand eczema pictures below to find out how hand dermatitis affects the skin. The cause of hand eczema can be either Seborrheic Dermatitis or Atopic Dermatitis, in most cases. We will also talk about hand dermatitis symptoms, causes and treatment.

Hand Eczema Pictures

Hand Eczema symptoms and signs

Hand dermatitis symptoms can become severe without treatment. Let us look at the symptoms:
1. Chapped, dry hands
2. Lesions filled with pus, crusting, itching along with pain
3. Blisters on the skin, the latter may become cracked and weep
4. Hands get a scaly appearance with patches on it while causing inflammation
5. The nails can get deformed if there is no treatment
6. The infection or allergy can spread to the arms and feet if not treated properly or in time.

Risk factors for Hand Dermatitis

1. Hand dermatitis are seen in 80 percent of job related skin problems. Close to 10 percent of people in the US have hand eczema.
2. Newborns and senior citizens are at more risk of hand dermatitis
3. Compared to men, women are at more risk, because as housewives, nurses and stylists, they have to dip their hands in water more often. A study says 30 percent of nurses in US have hand dermatitis.

Causes of hand dermatitis

1. It can be due to genetic problems.
2. An allergic reaction triggers when the body’s immune system reacts uniquely to a particular substance that everyone’s immune system may not over-respond to . In hand dermatitis, it has been seen that the allergens are nickel, rubber, Balsam of Peru.
3. Water and liquids: Frequent contact with water while washing can drain off the oils from the skin. Since the protective skin oil is being removed at a faster pace compared to the replacement, it can make the skin more prone to hand dermatitis.
4. Lack of proper protective gear: Te best example here is gloves. When you are in a profession or job that makes your hand come in contact with allergens, one should have a glove Even removing and putting the gloves back on frequently can cause the germs to get into the gloves and cause irritation.
5. Atopic Eczema: 12 to 24 percent of patients who have atopic eczema have hand eczema as well. People who have atopic eczema during childhood find out that the eczema fades away during their growing area and comes back in later 20s or 30s to hands and feet.
6. Other factors for hand dermatitis : Environmental changes, perspiration and stress are triggers for hand eczema.

Hand Eczema Diagnosis

Hand dermatitis diagnosis can be done through the following tests:
1 Patch testing: Patch testing can find out the cause for hand eczema. This involves applying allergens that are suspected of causing the problem on the back of the individual. If the patient is not allergic, nothing happens but if he or she , there can be some reaction. All reactions do not happen immediately; the patent may be asked to return in 48 hours and then the condition is evaluated.

2. Biopsy: To diagnose hand dermatitis, the doctor may just scrap off some part of the affected skin area and look into the microscope to find out if there is an infection.


3. Medical history: The doctor may be able to find out the condition by looking at the condition of the skin. But he will ask questions about when did the dermatitis happen first, if it is present in other areas and the treatments used so far.

Hand Dermatitis Treatment

1. Depending upon the condition, the doctor may give anything from a mild corticosteroid to a powerful one. You should apply in the same way as instructed by the doctor, lest there may be side-effects. Mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclosporine may be also be prescribed.
2. Antibotics: To clear the infection, a topical or oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
3. Calcineurin Inhibitor: If topical steroids is not fine, the doctor may go for an alternative called topical calcineurin inhibitor. One of the best topical calcineurin inhibitors to treat hand eczema is Pimecrolimus.
4. Phototherapy; Light therapy that has a medicine called psorlen along with UVA light treatment (together called PUVA) can treat hand dermatitis
5. Botulinum toxin type A: In case of people who get hand dermatitis due to excessive perspiration can get comprehensive treatment in the form of regular injections called Botulinum toxin type A; a famous cosmetic treatment.

Prevent Hand Dermatitis

1. You can prevent hand eczema by using emollients and moisturizers.
2. Avoid irritants and allergens that can cause problem to the skin. The patch testing will tell which substances you should stay away. From. For instance, nickel is a common cause of hand eczema; if is found so in the patient’s case, he or she should avoid wearing jewelry that contains nickel and stop foods that have nickel like canned foods.
3. Do not wear the same gloves: Changes the gloves more often and also makes sure that the inside material is clear because irritants can stick there. Also dermatologists say that you should not wear latex gloves.

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Halobetasol Propionate

Here is information on skin and eczema cream Halobetasol Propionate, including side effects and overdose.

Halobetasol is a topical medication for eczema, dermatitis, skin allergies and rash. Halobetasol can relieve the itching, reduce the swelling and itching. Halobetasol is a powerful corticosteroid. Your skin specialist will advise you to apply Halobetasol skin ointment only for a week to fourteen days and then stop it.

How to apply Halobetasol

Apply Halobetasol once or twice only as directed by the doctor. Do not bandage the area or apply it in areas like groin, underarms or face (since the skin in tehse areas are sensitive). If the medicine goes near the eyes, it can be problematic because there is a risk of glaucoma.

Halobetasol Side effects

: The side effects of Halobetasol include stinging sensation, itching or dryness. In most cases, side effects are not there and the doctor will diagnose your case well before administering you the medication. Also let the doctor know if you are allergic to corticosteroids like prednisone, hydrocortisone or if you have some other allergies.

Overdose of Halobetasol

 In case of overdose, you should contact the emergency center quickly. American residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at -800-222-1222

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