Acute Eczema: It starts with itching and a burning sensation in the skin. Then small sacs called vesicles form, the size of a pinhead or larger, containing clear fluid. Sometimes these vesicles dry up and crust over without becoming painful; this is called dry eczema. Sometimes the vesicles merge to form fluid-filled blisters (bullae), become inflamed and turn purulent; this is called infected or weeping (impetiginised) eczema. When the oozing stops, the skin is thin, fragile and red, almost as if varnished; fine white flakes called scales form, and once these have shed, the skin returns to normal.
Acute eczema sometimes does not clear and, continuing in various forms, becomes chronic.

Subacute Eczema

In subacute eczema, numerous scales and crusts are seen on a mildly erythematous background. The scales, particularly at the edges of the lesion, take the form of small rings (a few mm, or even less than one mm). Because they resemble the white collars worn on primary-school smocks, these scales are called "collarette" scales.

Chronic Eczema

Chronic eczema, is known as a skin disease that is bothersome and unsightly, but it is not dangerous, and it can be brought under control with simple treatment. It has been found that one in every twelve people experiences chronic eczema at some point in their life. In medicine, chronic eczema is known as dermatitis, and it is a skin condition that is more common in young children. As well as causing itching and discomfort, chronic eczema gives an unsightly appearance to exposed areas such as the hands, arms and face. It is known that chronic eczema is largely a hereditary condition, and it produces common symptoms in most patients. For this reason, knowing the symptoms of the disease well is important for early diagnosis and better treatment success.

Chronic eczema, in its acute phase causes redness, swelling and tiny fluid-filled blisters, and weeping is prominent as the condition develops. Patients with eczema experience severe itching and complain of a burning sensation on their bodies. In some patients, there may be only itching and burning without redness or scaling.

Causes of Chronic Eczema: The triggers of chronic eczema are varied and differ according to the type of eczema. Chronic eczema is usually caused by allergy, but emotional distress can also lead to eczema. Many substances we encounter in daily life – such as detergents, soaps, dyes, clothes, perfumes, cologne, make-up products, creams and lotions, rubber materials and metals – can cause chronic eczema through contact with the skin.

Among the causes of chronic eczema: in families where allergic diseases such as asthma or hay fever are common, children are more likely to have eczema; in other words, it is hereditary. It is also known that children fed on cow's milk are more likely to develop chronic eczema.

Symptoms of Chronic Eczema: In chronic eczema, the inflamed area of skin becomes red and itchy. In addition, over time the inflammation dries up, spot-like lesions appear on top of it, and blisters form in some areas of the body. If the eczema area is scratched, the infection spreads to a wider area, causing bleeding of the skin, and the bleeding area becomes inflamed and painful. Germs entering through cracks in the skin can spread throughout the body. An eczema area irritated by scratching can be very uncomfortable.

Chronic eczema first shows itself on the face and scalp and then appears on the arms and legs, particularly where the skin folds or where clothes rub. The discomfort caused by the disease is due mostly to scratching and to infections caused by germs entering through the cracks.

Treatment of Chronic Eczema:

Chronic eczema is not known as a severe disease that could be considered dangerous, but it can cause discomfort. The most important measure for people with eczema to stay comfortable is not to scratch the lesions. Babies with eczema should wear fingerless mittens made of cotton fabric, to stop them scratching the areas affected by eczema.

Eyelid Eczema

Eyelid eczema, is a persistent health problem. It is common after the age of 40, and eyelid eczema is more common in women. Skin problems and environmental influences cause eczema on the eyelid. Eczema causes dryness, redness and itching of the eyelid. Eczema on the eyelid can become infected and inflamed, which can harm eye health.

When eczema develops on the eyelid, loss of vision may occur. Persistent itching of the eyelid develops. Eczema may have a lasting effect on the area where it occurs. Because eye health is important, the eczema should be treated. Failure to start treatment early can harm eye health. An eye doctor should definitely be seen.

Symptoms of eyelid eczema

• Pain, aching, redness and swelling of the eyelid.
• Constant itching of the eyelid.
• Watery eyes.
• Redness inside the eye.
• Difficulty opening the eyelid.

• Sores on the eyelid.

Causes of eyelid eczema

• Sunlight
• Allergic causes
• Eye diseases
• Inflammation of the eyelid
• Eye infection
• A blow to the eye
• Washing the face with soap containing chemicals
• Use of eye creams containing chemicals and of make-up products applied around the eyes
• Problems such as climatic conditions can cause eczema on the eyelid.

Suggested treatment for eyelid eczema

Under medical supervision, a herbal eye cream and a topical moisturiser should be used. Plenty of water should be drunk, and the diet should focus on fruit and vegetables. A seawater spray can be used. Corticosteroid eye drops can be used. Pine oil can be rubbed gently onto the eyelid. Evening primrose oil can be rubbed gently onto the eyelid. Plenty of probiotic supplements should be taken. A regular sleep pattern should be maintained.

Facial Eczema

Facial eczema is one of the most common complaints. As well as affecting health, it spoils many people's appearance, and so it has a negative effect on daily life. Facial eczema causes social problems, especially in children. For example, a child's classmates may make fun of them because of the problem, which affects the child psychologically. It is seen in adults as well as in children. It is generally associated with living in regions where the climate is dry. Facial eczema is very common in the east of our country (Turkey). This is because the main cause of eczema is dryness of the skin due to dry weather conditions. Dry skin is the main source of facial eczema. Wherever it occurs on the body, eczema is not a very dangerous disease. Its biggest problem is the unsightly appearance it creates. There is no definitive cure for eczema in adults, but a few small measures can be taken to stop the problem from getting worse.

Causes of facial eczema

• The main causes of facial eczema are allergic.
• Allergic eczema is seen in many people. Allergic cases can be reduced medically with simple treatments.
• With facial eczema, never use treatments without consulting your doctor.
• During this time, herbal remedies should not be used without medical supervision. Allergy-related eczema can be affected by these plants and get worse rather than better.
• It may appear as a side effect of cosmetic products used.
• If it is present in some family members, the likelihood of others having it increases; in other words, it occurs for genetic reasons.
• In addition, people with eczema should strictly avoid seafood and dairy products.

• Not following hygiene rules can be given as an example of a cause of eczema. It can result from very dusty environments and from not washing the face at least once a day.
• People with facial eczema should use plenty of moisturiser. Dry skin is one of the main triggers of the disease.
• Working in very dirty environments is among the causes.

Diagnosis and treatment of facial eczema

In children it is a disease that can be treated easily. When it has not progressed, it is a minor problem that can be resolved in a short time. In adults, the approach is different from that in children. Treating eczema in adults is quite difficult; because the chance of a cure falls to as low as three per cent, it cannot be definitively cured. In children, if it is genetic, treatment may not give a definitive result. Certain measures need to be taken when treating children; during this period they should be bathed frequently. For adults, washing the face will stop the condition from getting worse. There are many medicines and creams used in the medical treatment of facial eczema . Creams will be prescribed by your doctor, who will explain how often to use them. If the eczema started in childhood, on the face and surrounding area as well as on many other parts of the body, the disease usually loses its effect by adolescence. During this time, the patient can use certain herbal remedies on a doctor's advice to recover from the disease sooner. For herbal treatments to work, the person needs to pay attention to certain points; in other words, if they follow hygiene rules, the effects of the disease will lessen. During treatment, staying away from dusty, dirty and unclean environments both prevents the disease from spreading and is very important for the person's health.

Nickel Eczema

Nickel is a hard, shiny, white, silver-like metal. Compared with silver or gold, nickel is more durable and easier to work. For this reason it is frequently used in alloys with other metals, in metal jewellery and in the manufacture of many other objects. Nickel is the most common cause of the allergic skin rash called allergic contact dermatitis (allergic contact eczema). Because nickel is also used as a durable plating material in many metal products used in daily life, it is a significant problem for people with an allergic sensitivity.

Who gets nickel allergy?

Nickel sensitivity is common, affecting one in every ten people in the population, especially women.

Anyone can develop an allergy to nickel. Nickel allergy (sensitivity) typically starts between the ages of 10 and 20 in girls who begin wearing cheap metal (imitation) jewellery. In our country (Turkey), the tradition of having ears pierced at an early age is the main reason why nickel allergy is more common in women. The spread of the piercing fashion is also contributing to an increase in nickel sensitivity. People working in jobs involving contact with nickel can develop nickel allergy later in life as a result of repeated exposure. The risk of developing nickel allergy in people with atopic eczema is currently not found to differ from that in other people. However, in people with dry, flaky, cracked and damaged skin who are sensitive to nickel, even the slightest contact with anything containing nickel will easily trigger the skin rash of nickel allergy.

What causes nickel allergy?

Why do some people develop nickel allergy while others do not become sensitive to nickel? The answer to this question has not yet been fully explained. Nevertheless, nickel sensitivity is more common in people working in certain occupations: hairdressing, nursing and patient care, catering, and jobs involving contact with money and metals.

Nail Involvement

In psoriasis, nail involvement can be seen in one in every 2 patients. Nail involvement is more common during clinical flare-ups of psoriasis. It is more frequent in psoriasis patients with a family predisposition, and in them it starts at an earlier age.

Nail involvement in psoriasis is made worse by trauma. For this reason, the fingernails – especially those of the dominant hand – are more often involved. It is more common in people who work with their hands and in those with frequent exposure to chemicals. Nail involvement in psoriasis can improve over time. Fingernail involvement increases in summer due to UV exposure. Nail involvement is seen more frequently in psoriasis with joint involvement.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema, usually seen on the hands and feet, appears on the palms and soles as well as along the sides of the fingers and even around the nails. Dyshidrotic eczema is not contagious. It begins with the formation of tiny fluid-filled blisters. Dyshidrotic eczema causes itching and the blisters may burst when scratched, but it clears on its own within a week or two as they dry out. When the blistered areas dry, they peel, and over time this appearance disappears. Because it shows symptoms similar to other skin diseases, it is quite difficult for doctors to make a definitive diagnosis of dyshidrotic eczema, so a doctor should be seen for early diagnosis. In addition, the affected skin is thicker than other skin, and the blisters do not burst with gentle scratching. Sometimes small blisters merge to form larger ones.

Causes of Dyshidrotic Eczema

There are many causes of dyshidrotic eczema, and in each person it arises for different reasons. In some people it is caused by detergents and bleach, while in others it is caused by flavoured fruit juices. In addition, caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee, cocoa, nuts, chocolate and whole grains can bring it on. Likewise, alcohol can also cause dyshidrotic eczema. This type of eczema is not contagious; it is a hereditary disease.

Dyshidrotic eczema is more common in women than in men. Doctors think this may be due to allergic reactions and to being under high stress. If your feet and hands are constantly exposed to moisture or are in water, or if you are exposed to nickel, chromium and metal salts, eczema can develop.

Treatment of Dyshidrotic Eczema

As mentioned under the causes of dyshidrotic eczema, because it has no specific cause, there is no treatment that can be called a definitive cure. However, if you know what you are allergic to, it is wise to avoid it. Dyshidrotic eczema usually clears on its own within a week or two without any treatment. Because this type of eczema is a recurrent disease, it may come back after it has cleared. If you have pain from dyshidrotic eczema, it is advisable to consult a doctor and take medication.

You can apply wet compresses to relieve itching and pain. Take care not to burst the blisters, because bursting them can prolong treatment. Avoid getting the areas affected by dyshidrotic eczema too wet; in other words, do not wash the affected area too often. In addition, do not use products that will irritate your skin, such as scented creams, and avoid washing dishes by hand. Keep away from these until the dyshidrotic eczema has cleared.

Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis: A delayed-type (type 4) hypersensitivity reaction resulting from the interaction of an allergen with UV light. For it to occur, the person must have been sensitised to the agent. It is triggered by antiseptic soaps, cleansers, cosmetics, perfumes and topical medicines containing phenothiazines.