Eczema is a medical term used to describe a variety of inflammatory skin conditions that can cause itchiness and discoloration, among other symptoms. Each person’s eczema can be caused by unique factors, which can be genetic, immunological, or environmental. There are several types of eczema, which are categorized by their symptoms. All types of eczema can create discomfort and affect your quality of life.

Determining which type of eczema you have is an important part of diagnosis and prognosis. Additionally, knowing which type of eczema you have helps your dermatologist determine which treatments are most likely to be effective. As you read this article, you may notice that your symptoms seem to align with multiple eczema types. There can often be overlap between eczema types, and it’s also possible to have more than one kind of eczema.

1. Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema that develops when the immune system overreacts. This reaction happens because the immune system mistakenly sees harmless triggers — like certain foods, pollen, or even skin bacteria — as threats. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, is usually chronic (long-term), and can be difficult to treat. Moreover, atopic dermatitis doesn’t usually have a clear trigger, which can help differentiate it from other forms of eczema. However, it’s common for people with atopic dermatitis to also have allergies and asthma, known as the atopic triad.

In children, atopic dermatitis often develops within the first 6 months of life. Atopic dermatitis for infants most frequently affects the cheeks, arms, and legs. As kids get older, it often appears in skin folds, especially in the inner arms and behind the knees.

Typically, atopic dermatitis appears as a dry, scaly, itchy rash that can be pink, red, purple, or dark brown depending on skin tone. Open, weeping sores may occur during flare-ups, and over time, the skin becomes thickened and rough.

	.

2. Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when someone touches an irritating substance with their bare skin. A wide range of substances can trigger contact dermatitis, including soaps, detergents, metals, paint, cigarette smoke, and allergens such as pollen or animal dander. Contact dermatitis causes redness, burning, and itching wherever skin has touched the substance — most frequently the hands. Blisters may also form.

Contact dermatitis comes in two main types: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Each type is defined by the way the immune system responds when it develops. Allergic contact dermatitis typically appears 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the offending agent, while irritant contact dermatitis can appear within minutes. Poison ivy is one of the most well-known causes of allergic contact dermatitis.

.

3. Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is also known as pompholyx eczema. The National Eczema Association has found it’s more commonly seen in women than in men. In dyshidrotic eczema, small, itchy blisters appear on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and along the edges of the fingers and toes.

The blisters may be accompanied by skin discoloration, pain, flaking, scaling, or cracking. Dyshidrotic eczema may be triggered by stress, moistness of the hands or feet, exposure to metals or pigments, or allergies such as hay fever.

4. Neurodermatitis

Also known as lichen simplex chronicus, neurodermatitis involves a recurrent itch-scratch cycle. Scratching the itchy skin causes it to become itchier, and as the cycle continues, the skin thickens and becomes leathery. This type of eczema is different from other kinds because it usually affects specific areas of the skin, rather than spreading widely.

Patches of neurodermatitis may be red or darkened. Affected areas most commonly include the neck, forearms, wrists, thighs, or ankles. Frequent scratching can break down the skin’s protective barrier, which makes it easier for infections and scars to develop.

5. Nummular Eczema

Nummular eczema, also called discoid eczema, causes round or coin-shaped spots of dry, itchy skin that may be scaly or form open sores. This type of eczema can be even more difficult to treat than other types of eczema because its round, stubborn patches don’t always respond well to standard treatments and tend to come back even after they improve. Common triggers for nummular eczema include insect bites and dry skin. This type of eczema can easily be confused with ringworm or other fungal infections due to its round appearance.

6. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic form of eczema that occurs on the scalp, face, upper chest, and upper back — areas where the skin produces a lot of oil. Seborrheic dermatitis is not connected with allergies but seems to involve hormones, the immune system, yeast, and other microorganisms that occur naturally on the skin.

Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in people of any age. In infants, seborrheic dermatitis is often referred to as cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis causes pink or red, raised, greasy skin. In dark skin, seborrheic dermatitis often shows up as lighter patches. On the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis may cause dandruff, yellowed scales, and itchy, crusty skin.

.

.

7. Stasis Dermatitis

Other names for stasis dermatitis include venous stasis dermatitis, gravitational dermatitis, and venous or varicose eczema. Stasis dermatitis develops when blood cannot easily flow back to the heart. Blood pools in the lower legs, increasing pressure and causing some blood to leak from capillaries (tiny blood vessels) into the skin. This leads to discoloration. Stasis dermatitis can further cause swelling, pain, itching, and scaling. Open ulcers can form and can easily become infected. Stasis dermatitis is most commonly seen near the ankles and calves, and the condition may be caused by heart failure, kidney problems, or damage to veins.

Hand Eczema

Hand eczema, also called hand dermatitis isn’t a distinct type of eczema. Instead, it’s a term for when eczema appears on the hands. It often affects people who have other types, like atopic or contact dermatitis.

Hand eczema usually appears as a scaly, itching, painful rash. It may also cause blisters, cracks, or erosions of the skin. This is most common in people whose hands are heavily exposed to water or other irritating chemicals. Excessive hand-washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers contributes to hand eczema.

.

.

Talk to Your Doctor

Eczema comes in different forms, each with its own symptoms and triggers. Knowing the type of eczema you have can help you recognize symptoms and find the best treatments. Although eczema can be tough to manage, early diagnosis and a personalized plan from a dermatologist can greatly improve symptoms and quality of life. If you think you have eczema, talking to your doctor can help you find the right support and treatment.

Find Your Team

On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, more than 54,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Do any of these types of eczema match the symptoms you’ve experienced? Which treatments have you found most helpful in managing your eczema symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.