Eczema, or dermatitis, is a reaction pattern that presents with variable clinical and histologic findings; it is the final common expression for a number of disorders.
One aspect of atopic triad of hayfever, asthma, and eczema. Usually an intermittent, chronic, severely pruritic, eczematous dermatitis with scaly erythematous patches, vesiculation, crusting, and fissuring. Lesions are most commonly on flexures, with prominent involvement of antecubital and popliteal fossae; generalized erythroderma in severe cases.
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Eczema and Atopic DermatitisAvoidance of irritants; cutaneous hydration; topical glucocorticoids; treatment of infected lesions [often with Staphylococcus aureus (SA)-consider community-acquired methicillin-resistant strains (CA-MRSA)]. Systemic glucocorticoids only for severe exacerbations unresponsive to topical conservative therapy. Topical calcineurin inhibitors have been used for severe disease but may carry toxicity. Crisaborole (phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor) is approved for topical treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. |
A delayed hypersensitivity reaction that occurs after cutaneous exposure to an antigenic substance. Lesions occur at site of contact and are vesicular, weeping, crusting; linear arrangement of vesicles is common. Most frequent allergens are resin from plants of the genus Toxicodendron (poison ivy, oak, sumac), nickel, rubber, and cosmetics.
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Allergic Contact DermatitisAvoidance of sensitizing agent; topical glucocorticoids; consideration of systemic glucocorticoids over 2-3 weeks for widespread disease. |
Inflammation of the skin due to direct injury by an exogenous agent. The most common area of involvement is the hands, where dermatitis is initiated or aggravated by chronic exposure to water and detergents. Features may include skin dryness, cracking, erythema, and edema.
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Irritant Contact DermatitisAvoidance of irritants; barriers (use of protective gloves); topical glucocorticoids; treatment of secondary bacterial or dermatophyte infection. |
A chronic noninfectious process characterized by erythematous patches with greasy yellowish scale. Lesions are generally on scalp, eyebrows, nasolabial folds, axillae, central chest, and posterior auricular area.