Discoid Eczema

What Is Discoid Eczema?

            Our skin is an extremely important organ that provides protection for all other organs that lie within us; a protection that can undergo complications when conditions such as discoid eczema occur. 

Eczema and its causes

            Eczema is a skin disorder that causes the skin to become inflamed.  Dry, scaly, red and itchy skin is characteristic of eczema, although it can take many forms.  The good news is that it is not generally considered to be a dangerous disorder; the bad news is that the unsightly splotches can create psychological issues when others shun or poke fun at the affected individual.  There are numerous causes for different types of eczema, including stress, environmental irritants, genetics and other diseases. 

            There are several types of eczema that are grouped under two basic classifications. Atopic eczema is a lifetime condition; one that is caused by environmental allergens that set off an unusual reaction of the immune system.  Contact dermatitis, which is eczema, is the most common type of the disorder and only exists when a specific irritant is touched and the immune system reacts.  When this type of skin disorder emerges, it is important to determine which type of eczema has developed in order to treat the condition effectively.

Discoid eczema

            One of the lesser known atopic eczemas is one that affects mainly, but not exclusively, adults over the age of 60.  Called discoid eczema, small round circles that resemble ringworm appear on the back and lower legs.  The round shapes of the affliction gave the eczema its scientific name of nummular, which means “coin” in Latin.  Often emerging after a minor skin injury such as an insect bite, the condition usually appears quite suddenly as just a few reddened circles after a period of intense itchiness.  The resulting plaques may continue to be itchy as well as developing a weepy nature. 

Causes

            There is no known cause for this disorder, and no pattern as to why it appears in certain people.  Certain elements do seem common as aggravating the condition, however; soaps and detergents, allergens, fabric softeners, wool fabrics and excessive bathing are included.   It is also known that extreme weather conditions of both hot and cold can prompt occurrences, and also that people who experience dry skin are most often affected.  The lower leg is frequently the area of the body that is affected, and may form a pattern of traversing along leg veins; garnering it the nickname of “varicose eczema”. 

Treating discoid eczema

            Since trivial skin disruptions, such as mosquito bites, are often the catalyst that sets the eczema in motion, it is important for those who are prone to the disorder to avoid situations that may cause eruptions.  Use of moisturizers to keep normally dry skin supple and hydrated plays a great role in the prevention of occurrences.  When a skin injury does occur, careful treatment of the areas should be adopted to avoid irritation that may result in the appearance of the dermatitis discs.  Normal treatment of the reddened circlets is through emollients and even steroid creams.  The eczema may begin with one or more of these coins that may be accompanied by tiny blisters that break and ooze.  Coal tar salve can be an effective last resort treatment. 

            Treating the eczema quickly and completely is important especially in the case of the discoid variety since the itchy, weepy nature leaves raw skin exposure; providing access for bacterial infections to develop.  Antibiotics are strongly recommended when the lesions are open to prevent infections.

            Though skin is a common denominator among all humans only a select group of individuals experience difficulties with skin disorders, such as discoid eczema.  Keeping skin as healthy as possible may help to prevent outbreaks of this skin dermatitis.