1. Take the Eczema Quiz!
2. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Slideshow Pictures
3. Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Atopic dermatitis facts
• What is atopic dermatitis?
• What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema?
• How common is atopic dermatitis?
• What causes atopic dermatitis?
• Is atopic dermatitis contagious?
• What are atopic dermatitis symptoms and signs?
• Can atopic dermatitis affect the face?
• What are the stages of atopic dermatitis?
• How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed?
• What factors can aggravate atopic dermatitis?
• What are skin irritants in patients with atopic dermatitis?
• What are allergens?
• What are aeroallergens?
• What is the treatment for atopic dermatitis?
• What is the hope for long-term management of atopic dermatitis?
• Patient Comments: Atopic Dermatitis - Describe Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Atopic Dermatitis - Treatments
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Atopic Dermatitis Index

Eczema is a nonspecific term for many types of skin inflammation (dermatitis). There are different categories of eczema, like allergic, contact, irritant, and nummular eczema, which can be difficult to distinguish from atopic dermatitis. These types of eczema are listed and briefly described below. Atopy is a medical syndrome that includes three associated conditions that tend to occur in the same individual: atopic dermatitis, inhalant allergies, and asthma. All three components need not be present in the same individual simultaneously.

• Contact eczema: a localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an irritating acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical
• Allergic contact eczema: a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions like Neosporin or bacitracin (Baciguent)
• Seborrheic eczema (also called seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea) is a very common form of mild skin inflammation of unknown cause that presents as yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, ears, and occasionally other parts of the body. Often this is also called dandruff in adults or "cradle cap" in infants.
• Nummular eczema: coin-shaped (round), isolated patches of irritated skin -- most commonly on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs -- that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy
• Lichen simplex chronicus (localized neurodermatitis): a dermatitis localized to a particular anatomical area induced by long-term rubbing, scratching, or picking the skin. The underling cause may be a sensitivity or irritation that sets off a cascade of repeated itching and scratching cycles. It may be seen as scratch marks and pick marks. Areas of thickened plaques form on the skin of the neck, shins, wrists, or forearms. This condition has certain similarities to callosities and it will resolve if the patient stops irritating the area.
• Stasis dermatitis: a skin irritation on the lower legs, generally related to circulatory problems and congestion of the leg veins. It may have a darker pigmentation, light-brown, or purplish-red discoloration from the congestion and back up of the blood in the leg veins. It's sometimes seen more in legs with varicose veins.

Picture of stasis eczema on the leg

• Dyshidrotic eczema: irritation of the skin on the palms of hands (mostly) and less commonly soles of the feet characterized by clear, very deep-seated blisters that itch and burn. It's sometimes described as a "tapioca pudding"-like rash on the palms.