=The symptoms of eczema vary depending on what type of eczema you have. The severity of the symptoms, their duration and possible complications also depend on the type of eczema affecting the patient. Individual diseases are also characterized by a variable predisposition to cause eczema on particular parts of the body. Some of the more common forms of eczema are:
- scalp eczema,
- eczema on fingers,
- eczema on the legs,
- eczema on the feet,
- Eczema around the mouth
- Eczema on the trunk,
- Eczema in the bends of the knees and hands.
Despite the high variability in the causes of eczema, a set of symptoms can be distinguished that are quite common for all forms of eczema. General symptoms of inflammation of the upper layers of the skin most often include:
- Local redness of the skin,
- skin itching,
- Localized swelling,
- Excessive drying of the skin,
- Skin damage, minor wounds,
- In certain cases – pathological exudate, most often purulent.
Skin lesions in the first stages of eczema are in the form of papules, which over time transform into vesicles. Bursting blisters lead to the formation of skin erosions, which are then replaced by scabs. In the case of severe reactions, scarring or discoloration of the skin may remain in the affected area, but they often disappear without leaving visible traces. Depending on the severity of eczema and the number of pathological lesions, they may merge with each other, leading to the formation of large lesions. Around these changes there is erythema and swelling of the skin.
The symptoms described above are characteristic of the acute phase of eczema, which most often occurs in the case of allergic eczema. Some eczema-related conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, can become chronic.
During the chronic phase, the dominant symptom of eczema is intense itching, thickening of the epidermis, its long-term drying and peeling. In the case of this type of symptoms, avoid scratching the affected areas. Scratching significantly increases the risk of superinfection of damaged skin layers by various types of pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. This may lead to excoriation and local infection. They may be accompanied by increased pain, increased warmth of the affected area and the appearance of purulent discharge. If the infection is left untreated, serious complications may develop. For this reason, you should never ignore severe, prolonged eczema symptoms and consult your doctor as soon as possible. Superinfected skin lesions in certain cases may require treatment with antibiotics.