Itchy Red Circles on the Skin
If you have itchy red circles on your skin that come and go or tend to worsen at times, you may be dealing with a condition known as nummular eczema. Nummular eczema is just one of many different types of eczema that cause skin scales, inflammation, redness and visible irritation, according to EczemaNet 1.
Identification
Nummular eczema, also known as nummular eczematous dermatitis or discoid eczema, is a chronic condition that presents as a coin-shaped rash on the skin, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology 2. Nummular eczema can form as a single red circle or many circles on the arms and legs. Some instances of nummular eczema can spread to the torso. The circles of the rash are well-defined and can be either dark red and crusty or a paler shade of red and barely noticeable. Nummular eczema can persist for weeks or even months at a time.
- Nummular eczema, also known as nummular eczematous dermatitis or discoid eczema, is a chronic condition that presents as a coin-shaped rash on the skin, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology 2.
- Nummular eczema can persist for weeks or even months at a time.
Causes
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The exact cause of the itchy red circles associated with nummular eczema is unknown. But the DermNet NZ website explains that the condition is not linked to food allergies or heredity, and it is not contagious. For a person who is susceptible, even the slightest injury to the skin can incite the development of the rash. Hot or cold weather can aggravate nummular eczema. Frequent bathing and the use of fragrant soaps, detergents and fabric softeners can do the same.
- The exact cause of the itchy red circles associated with nummular eczema is unknown.
- For a person who is susceptible, even the slightest injury to the skin can incite the development of the rash.
Solution
While there is no cure for nummular eczema, taking precautionary measures can reduce symptoms. According to the McKinley Health Center, located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the itchy red circles that develop from nummular eczema are actually dry skin at its worst. The drier your skin, the more serious the eczema flare-up. Showering with lukewarm water instead of hot water, washing your skin with your hand instead of a washcloth, cleansing your skin with a mild soap, patting your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing and applying a moisturizing lotion immediately after showering can help. A cool mist vaporizer can also reduce winter flare-ups that develop because of dry heat.
- While there is no cure for nummular eczema, taking precautionary measures can reduce symptoms.
Considerations
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If lifestyle changes such as lower water temperature, mild soaps, moisturizers and cool mist vaporizers are not enough to help keep your itchy red circles at bay, a dermatologist may be able to help. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, stubborn cases of nummular eczema may require the application of a topical steroid or coal tar-based ointment. A pea-sized amount of topical preparation used once a day may help calm the skin.
Warnings
Although nummular eczema is extremely itchy, it is best to avoid scratching as much as possible. Bacteria under your fingernails can enter the broken skin of the eczema site and cause an infection. The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center website explains that this is a secondary infection, which can produce fever, severe redness and pain. Medical attention and the use of oral and topical antibiotics are necessary to remedy the infection.
- Although nummular eczema is extremely itchy, it is best to avoid scratching as much as possible.
- Bacteria under your fingernails can enter the broken skin of the eczema site and cause an infection.
Related Articles
References
- EczemaNet: What Is Eczema?
- DermNet NZ: Discoid Eczema
- Other Dermatitis Conditions. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Nummular Eczema. US National Library of Medicine. April 2019.
- Nummular Eczema. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
- Nummular Eczema. Causes. American Academy of Dermatology Association.
- Lazzarini R, Duarte I, Ferreira AL. Patch tests. An Bras Dermatol. 2013;88(6):879-88. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132323
- Poudel RR, Belbase B, Kafle NK. Nummular eczema. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(3):27909. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.27909
- Eczema. Harvard Medical School. February 2019.
- Berke R, Singh A, Guralnick M. Atopic dermatitis: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(1):35-42.
- Coondoo A, Phiske M, Verma S, Lahiri K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(4):416-25. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483
- Tacrolimus & Pimecrolimus. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
- FDA approves Eucrisa for eczema. US Food & Drug Administration. December 2016.
- Kim WJ, Ko HC, Kim MB, Kim DW, Kim JM, Kim BS. Features of Staphylococcus aureus colonization in patients with nummular eczema. Br J Dermatol. 2013;168(3):658-60. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11072.x
- Eczema. TeensHealth from Nemours. September 2019.
- Coondoo A, Phiske M, Verma S, Lahiri K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit 400. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(4):416-25. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483
- Schneider L, Tilles S, Lio P, et al. Atopic dermatitis: a practice parameter update 2012. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;131(2):295-9.e1-27. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.672
- Todorova A., Bruckbauer H., Ring J. (2015) Nummular Eczema. In: Katsambas A., Lotti T., Dessinioti C., D'Erme A. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Writer Bio
Jonae Fredericks started writing in 2007. She also has a background as a licensed cosmetologist and certified skin-care specialist. Jonae Fredericks is a certified paraeducator, presently working in the public education system.