By: Kathy Hubbard
Anyone at any age can experience eczema. And anyone means newborn babies, teens, young and old adults all can have one of the inflammatory skin conditions that causes dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections.
But be aware that there are several common skin conditions that look like eczema, so if you are experiencing red patches on your light skin, or gray or violet-brown patches on your dark skin, oozing or crusty skin from all your scratching, it’s time to see your primary care provider to find out exactly what you’re dealing with.
The National Eczema Association says that more than 31 million Americans have some form of the seven types of eczema. They also tell us that eczema is not an autoimmune disease, it’s not contagious, it can run in families, and some types are more common in people with allergies or asthma.
Here’s an overview of each type of eczema:
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, and the most common symptom is itch which can lead to rashes, pain and poor sleep. Often, the word “eczema” is used as a synonym for atopic dermatitis.
Besides a “significant” itch that can result in intense scratching, it can also cause dry, scaly skin or skin that oozes a clear fluid. And areas that were previously affected may show light or dark patches and thickened skin.
“With the right treatment options, your atopic dermatitis flare-up can go away. However, the actual condition can last a long time, and atopic dermatitis is considered chronic,” NEA says.
Contact dermatitis is brought on by an allergic reaction to an environmental trigger. There are two main types, allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.
NEA explains that “allergic contact dermatitis arises from an allergic immune reaction. It can be a delayed reaction that appears as a rash a day or two after skin is exposed to an allergen, such as poison ivy.
“Irritant contact dermatitis is a non-immune mediate reaction that happens when skin cells are damaged by exposure to irritating substances, like soaps or hair dye, and occurs within minutes to hours.”
Dyshidrotic eczema causes small, painful, itchy blisters to develop on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms and soles of the feet. These blisters may become cracked, or the skin may become scaly as they heal.
“Triggers include stress, exposure to certain allergens or irritants, seasonal allergies or excessive moisture on the hands and feet due to an improper immune response and improper sweating mechanisms occurring in people with dyshidrotic eczema,” NEA explains.
Neurodermatitis is very similar to atopic dermatitis, although it typically is confined to one or two patches of skin. They say that “it often results in thick, leathery patches of skin and can be triggered by stress or localized irritation.”
Nummular eczema presents as round, coin-shaped patches of irritated skin that are often itchy, inflamed or oozing. “These lesions are most commonly found on the arms, legs or torso and can become crusty or scaly over time. They appear more commonly in teens and adults. This condition is often linked to very dry skin, particularly during the winter, or following an injury such as a cut, insect bite or burn.”
NEA says that Seborrheic dermatitis is often called “cradle cap” in infants. It’s a chronic form of eczema that affects oily areas of the body like the scalp, face and upper chest. “It causes red, greasy and inflamed skin covered with white or yellowish scales.”
And finally, there is stasis dermatitis which occurs when there is poor circulation in the legs. “The condition typically presents with swelling, redness and itching, with the skin becoming dry, scaly and discolored over time. In severe cases, open sores or ulcers may form, increasing the risk of infection,” NEA explains.
So you know, it’s possible to experience more than one type of eczema either at the same time or at different times on different parts of the body. Obviously, it’s crucial to get a diagnosis as to which one you are experiencing.
Despite a lot of research being conducted, right now there isn’t a cure. But there are medications on the market, both over the counter and by prescription that can alleviate the symptoms. Besides meds, your PCP will recommend some home remedies and give you tips on how to prevent flares.
Kathy Hubbard was a charter member of Bonner General Health Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected]. This article was written for publication in the Bonner County Daily Bee on September 9, 2026.