Eczema Specialist

What is eczema?

Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes dry and itchy skin. This typically progresses to rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and sometimes skin infections. Eczema can begin during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood and range from mild to severe. 

In addition to dry and itchy skin, common symptoms of eczema include:

• Raw, sensitive skin
• Inflamed, discolored skin
• Rough, leathery, or scaly skin
• Oozing and crusting
• Areas of swelling

You may experience periodic flare-ups of these symptoms, or your symptoms could clear up for several years. If your symptoms worsen, affecting your sleep and daily activities, or you notice signs of skin infection, such as red streaks, pus, or yellow scabs, visit Dr. Matheis at Wake Forest Dermatology as soon as possible.

What causes eczema?

At Wake Forest Dermatology, Dr. Matheis helps identify the causes of your symptoms and determines what type of eczema you’re experiencing. There are seven different types of eczema you can have, such as:

Atopic dermatitis

The most common form of eczema, this type typically occurs due to triggers in the environment, immune system issues, or atopic dermatitis running in your family. 

Contact dermatitis

This type of eczema comes in two forms: allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune system reaction to an irritant like metal or latex. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when a chemical or other substance irritates your skin. 

Dyshidrotic eczema

Typically caused by allergies and frequently damp hands and feet, dyshidrotic eczema results in small blisters forming on your hands and feet. This affects women more often than men. 

Nummular eczema

Nummular eczema causes round, coin-shaped spots to form on your skin and can be triggered by a reaction to an insect bite or by an allergic reaction to metals or chemicals. 

Hand eczema

This type of eczema only affects your hands and is triggered by exposure to chemicals. If you use chemicals for hairdressing, cleaning, health care, or laundry, you're at risk of developing hand eczema. 

Seborrheic dermatitis 

Considered a chronic form of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis typically affects your scalp and occurs due to an inflammatory reaction to a yeast that lives on your skin, called malassezia yeast.

Stasis dermatitis 

In stasis dermatitis, you may experience swelling, aching, thick, and damaged veins, or open sores on your lower legs. You’re more likely to develop this type of eczema if you have blood flow problems in your lower legs. 

In addition, all types of eczema are caused by dry skin. Therefore, you must keep your skin moisturized as much as possible. 

How do you treat eczema?

When you come into Wake Forest Dermatology to receive treatment for eczema, Dr. Matheis takes the time to assess your skin condition and determine the best possible treatment method for you. 

Depending on your age and the severity of your eczema, Dr. Matheis may prescribe medical-grade moisturizing creams, prescription topical medications, or antibiotics to treat skin infection. She may also suggest phototherapy, also known as light therapy, and cool compresses or cold therapy to relieve your symptoms. 

To learn more about eczema diagnosis and treatment, call Wake Forest Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.