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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- MedlinePlus: Atopic Eczema
- MedlinePlus: Nummular Eczema
- MedlinePlus: Dyshidrotic Eczema
- MayoClinic.com: Contact Dermatitis
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Itchy Skin That Oozes
Itchy, oozing skin is a general term that describes a skin irritation or rash involving the abnormal production and draining of small associated blisters. Common causes for this condition include the skin disorders eczema and allergic contact dermatitis 4. You can develop contact dermatitis from a wide array of sources, including poison ivy and products such as deodorants, soaps and household cleaning products 4.
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that comes in three main forms, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus resource 123. In the most common form of the condition — called atopic eczema — itching, oozing blisters and inflammation can form anywhere on your body 1. In nummular eczema, circular patches of oozing, itchy skin typically form on your arms and legs and may spread to the center of your body 2. In dyshidrotic eczema, itchy blisters typically form on your feet or hands 3. Atopic eczema stems from a hypersensitive skin response that resembles an allergic reaction 1. Doctors don’t know what causes nummular or dyshidrotic eczema 23.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergy & Itchy Hands and Feet
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Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include a red, bumpy rash and potentially extreme itching 4. In severe cases of the condition, you may also develop oozing blisters. Allergic contact dermatitis forms when your skin comes in contact with any substance that triggers a foreign-body immune reaction in your skin 4. In addition to the substances listed above, common sources for this reaction include:
- cosmetics
- rubber
- the metal nickel
- perfumes
- hair dyes
While it may take years for you to develop a reaction to a given substance, you will typically remain allergic for life once a reaction forms.
Eczema Treatment
MedlinePlus lists common self-care treatments for all forms of eczema that include avoiding scratching your affected skin, avoiding any substance or food that worsens your symptoms and avoiding excessive bathing or other water exposure 123. Medications used to treat the various types of eczema include oral antihistamines, oral or injected corticosteroids, topical steroid creams or ointments, creams or ointments that contain coal tar and immune function-altering medications called topical immunomodulators. Your doctor can help you determine which medication is most appropriate for you current symptoms.
Contact Dermatitis Treatment
Herbal Remedies for Hives
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Common self-care treatments for allergic contact dermatitis include recognizing and avoiding any substance that causes a reaction; avoiding scratching your affected skin; using calamine lotion, hydrocortisone or other nonprescription anti-itch products; covering your affected skin with wet, cool compresses; and avoiding use of soaps that contain perfumes or dyes 4. If you have a severe case of this condition, your doctor may also prescribe oral antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Considerations
If you come in contact with a triggering substance, you can help prevent a contact dermatitis reaction by promptly washing your skin with water and mild soap, according to MayoClinic.com 4. Although eczema is a lifelong condition, you can typically control it with appropriate care. Potential complications of eczema include skin scarring and bacterial, viral or fungal skin infections. Atopic eczema is also sometimes known as atopic dermatitis 1.
Related Articles
References
- MedlinePlus: Atopic Eczema
- MedlinePlus: Nummular Eczema
- MedlinePlus: Dyshidrotic Eczema
- MayoClinic.com: Contact Dermatitis
- Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S. Atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6
- Abuabara K, Margolis DJ. Do children really outgrow their eczema, or is there more than one eczema?. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;132(5):1139-40. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2013.08.028
- Thomsen SF. Atopic dermatitis: natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. ISRN Allergy. 2014;2014:354250. doi:10.1155/2014/354250
- Avena-Woods C. Overview of atopic dermatitis. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23(8 Suppl): S115-S123.
- Poudel RR, Belbase B, Kafle NK. Nummular eczema. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015;5(3):27909. doi:10.3402/jchimp.v5.27909
- Sundaresan S, Migden MR, Silapunt S. Stasis dermatitis: Pathophysiology, evaluation, and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(3):383-90. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0
- Agarwal US, Besarwal RK, Gupta R, Agarwal P, Napalia S. Hand eczema. Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(3):213-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.131372
- Kim BE, Leung DYM. Significance of skin barrier dysfunction in atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(3):207-15. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.3.207
- Biedermann T, Skabytska Y, Kaesler S, Volz T. Regulation of T cell immunity in atopic dermatitis by microbes: The yin and yang of cutaneous inflammation. Front Immunol. 2015;6:353. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2015.00353
- Pereira LB. Impetigo - review. An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(2):293-9. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142283
- Siegfried EC, Hebert AA. Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: Mimics, overlaps, and complications. J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884
- Maliyar K, Sibbald C, Pope E, Gary Sibbald R. Diagnosis and Management of atopic dermatitis: A review. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2018;31(12):538-50. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000547414.38888.8d
- Liaw FY, Huang CF, Hsueh JT, Chiang CP. Eczema herpeticum: a medical emergency. Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(12):1358-61.
- Lio PA, Lee M, LeBovidge J, Timmons KG, Schneider L. Clinical management of atopic dermatitis: practical highlights and updates from the atopic dermatitis practice parameter 2012. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2014 Jul-Aug;2(4):361-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2014.02.015
Writer Bio
M. Gideon Hoyle is a writer living outside of Houston. Previously, he produced brochures and a wide variety of other materials for a nonprofit educational foundation. He now specializes in topics related to health, exercise and nutrition, publishing for various websites.