Nummular Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis?
Verified By Apollo Hospitals October 1, 2024
Nummular eczema is a condition in which a coin-shaped lesion develops on the skin. It is a chronic condition also called nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema. The spots are itchy and well-defined. They may ooze clear fluid or grow dry and crusty. It develops after a skin injury such as a burn, abrasion, or an insect bite. The disorder might cause a single patch of coin-shaped lesions or many patches of coin-shaped lesions. The patches may last for months.
Men are more prone to have nummular eczema than women. Men often have their first episode between the ages of 55 and 65. It usually strikes women during their adolescence or early adulthood.
As the person gets older, the lesions may become scaly or clear in the center and later look like psoriasis or fungus (ringworm). The condition tends to be chronic, with periods when it gets much better or worse
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What are the causes of Nummular Eczema?
Though the cause for nummular eczema is not exactly known, people who have it often are found to have a family history of skin allergies, asthma or atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a condition of the skin that causes itchiness or scaly rashes.
The factors that contribute to the development of nummular eczema are:
What are the Symptoms?
There are several symptoms experienced by people with nummular eczema. They are:
- Coin-shaped, discolored lesions – The color of the lesions may be red, pink or sometimes brown.
- Burning and itching sensation
- Inflamed or scaly skin
- Lesions on the leg and hands
The appearance of eczema depends on the skin tone of the individual. If a black-skinned person has eczema, then the patches are grey, purple or dark brown.
What are the possible risk factors of Nummular Eczema?
There is risk of development of nummular eczema if the following conditions occur:
- Dry climate
- Dry skin
- Infected by another type of eczema
- Poor blood flow
- Swelled legs
- Skin injuries like an insect bite
- Bacterial infection on the skin
- On medications
- Surgery
How is Nummular Eczema diagnosed?
Nummular eczema can be diagnosed with medical history and inspecting the skin visually. A skin biopsy can also be performed to rule out conditions like an infection on the skin.
What are the Treatment methods for Nummular Eczema?
A rash of nummular eczema is usually treated with topical ointments that either moisturize the skin or reduce inflammation. A doctor would most likely prescribe a corticosteroid to apply to the affected area, which will resolve the problem faster. Oral antihistamines used before bedtime can assist with evening itching. Applying moisturizers that aren’t irritating to the skin can also help. Natural moisturizers may be the best option to avoid inflammation.
Eating a diet low in processed foods and high in leafy greens and healthy fats, as well as avoiding recognized irritants, may help to limit inflammation.
Home Remedies for Nummular Eczema
Nummular eczema can be controlled by controlling the following:
- Wool and other skin irritants that can cause symptoms should be avoided.
- Excessive bathing and hot water should be avoided.
- Getting rid of harsh, chemical-laden soaps
- Reducing stress by exercise, better sleep hygiene, yoga, and mindfulness
A variety of inflammatory disorders can be cured by making lifestyle changes. They can help to establish an interior environment that reduces the likelihood and severity of an outbreak.
Consuming more leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables rather than processed foods, refined sugars, and packaged goods, for example, can help to maintain inflammation low and prevent inflammatory flare-ups.
Dietary changes
Adopting a Mediterranean-style diet is found to lower inflammatory markers. While persons with inflammatory gut disorders like Crohn’s or colitis may benefit from eliminating gluten from their diet. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils and healthy fats from olive oil are two nutrients that may aid with inflammation. Vitamin D and vitamin E from leafy greens are also helpful.
Good sleep
Improving sleep quality is another strategy to reduce inflammation. Setting up a regular sleep routine and aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep each night might help reduce stress and inflammation.
If the symptoms of nummular eczema flare-up, there are a few things that can be done to help:
- Covering and protecting the area with wet bandages
- Antihistamines are used to alleviate itching.
- Medicated ointments are used to treat a variety of ailments.
- Using a prescribed lightbox to expose skin to UV light
- Following a shower, hydrate skin with non-scented moisturizers.
What is the outcome for persons suffering from Nummular Eczema?
Nummular eczema can improve with treatment. Nummular eczema, on the other hand, is a persistent illness that may never go away. Some lesions disappear completely, while others appear and disappear. Lesions on the thighs, legs and feet take longer to heal and may leave dark or light spots behind. It’s essential to stay away from triggers that aggravate the symptoms.
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