Discoid eczema

Discoid eczema | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Skin, hair and nails Discoid eczema Discoid eczema About discoid eczema Symptoms of discoid eczema Causes of discoid eczema Treating discoid eczema About discoid eczema Discoid eczema is a long-term skin condition that causes skin to become itchy, reddened, swollen and cracked in circular or oval patches. Its also known as discoid dermatitis. The patchescan be a few millimetresto a few centimetres in size and can affect any part of the body, although they dont usually affect the face or scalp. The patches are often swollen, blistered (covered with small fluid-filled pockets) and ooze fluid at first, but becomedry, crusty, cracked and flaky over time. The patches may clear up on their own eventually, but this cantake weeks, months or even years if not treated, and they can recur. Read more about the symptoms of discoid eczema . Discoid eczema caused the skin to become dry, red and itchy. The rash is circular or oval   shape. Source: https://dermnetnz.org/ Discoid eczema can appear as swollen and blistered patches. Source: https://dermnetnz.org/ Seeking medical advice You should see your pharmacist or GP if you think you may have discoid eczema. Your GP should be able to make a diagnosis just by examining the affected areas of skin. In some cases they may also ask questions or arrange some tests to rule out other conditions. Your GP may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specialises in managing skin conditions) if they are unsure of the diagnosis or if you need patch testing. Your GP or specialist can recommend suitable treatments. What causes discoid eczema? The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it is often accompanied by dry skin and is thoughtto be triggered by irritation of the skin. Discoid eczematends to affect adults and is rare in children. It is more common among men aged from 50 to 70 and womenin their teens or twenties. Some people with discoid eczema may also have other types of eczema, such as atopic eczema . Read more about the causes of discoid eczema . How discoid eczema is treated Discoid eczema is usually a long-term problem, but medications are available to help relieve the symptoms and keep the condition under control. Treatments used include: emollients moisturisers applied to the skin to stop it becoming dry topical corticosteroids  ointments and creams applied to the skin that can help relieve severe symptoms antihistamines medications that can reduce itching and help you sleep better There are also things you can do yourself to help, such as avoiding all the irritating chemicals in soaps, detergents, bubble baths and shower gels. Additional medication can be prescribed if your eczema is infected or particularly severe. Read more about treating discoid eczema . Symptoms of discoid eczema Discoid eczema causes distinctive circular or oval patches of eczema. The patches can appear anywhere on the body, including the: lower legs forearms trunk (torso) hands feet The face and scalp are notnormally affected. Thefirst sign of discoid eczema isusually a group of small red spots or bumps on the skin. These then quickly join up to form largerpink, red or brown patches that can range from a few millimetres to several centimetres in size. Initially, these patches are often swollen, blistered (covered with small fluid-filled pockets) and ooze fluid. They also tend to be very itchy, particularly at night. Over time, the patches may become dry, crusty, cracked and flaky.The centre of the patch also sometimes clears, leaving a ring ofdiscoloured skin that can be mistaken for ringworm . You may just have one patch of discoid eczema, but most people have several patches. The skin between the patchesis often dry. Patches of discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or even years if not treated, and they can keeping recurring  oftenin the same area that was affected previously. Occasionally, areas of skin affected by discoid eczema can be left permanently discoloured after the condition has cleared up. Discoid eczema can occur anywhere on the body, including the ankles. Source: https://dermnetnz.org/ Signs of an infection Patches of discoid eczema can sometimes become infected. Signs of an infection can include: the patches oozing a lot of fluid a yellow crust developing over the patches the skin around the patches becoming red, hot, swollen, and tender or painful feeling sick chills a general sense of feeling unwell When to seek medical advice You should see your GP or pharmacist if you think you may have discoid eczema, as the condition can take a long time to improve without treatment and it may keep recurring. You should also seek medical advice if you think your skin may be infected, as you may need to use antibiotic cream or, in very severe cases, take antibiotics tablets. Read more about diagnosing discoid eczema . Causes of discoid eczema The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it may occur as a result of having particularly dry skin. Dry skin means your skin cannot provide an effective barrier against substances that come into contact with it, which could allowa previously harmless substance, such as soap, to irritate (damage) your skin. Its important to look carefully at all the chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries that may have come into contact with your skin. Contact dermatitis, a type of eczema caused by coming into contact with a particular irritant, may therefore have a role in discoid eczema. Some people with discoid eczema also have a history of atopic eczema , which often occurs in people who are prone to asthma and hay fever . However, unlike atopic eczema, discoid eczema does not seem to run in families. Other possible triggers An outbreak of discoid eczema may sometimes be triggered by a minor skin injury, such as an insect bite or a burn . Some medicines may also be associated with discoid eczema, as patches of eczema can appear in people taking: interferon and ribavirin  when they are used together to treat hepatitis C tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers  which are used to treat some types of arthritis statins (cholesterol-lowering medication), which can cause dry skin and rashes Dry environments and cold climates can make discoid eczema worse and sunny or humid (damp) environments may make your symptoms better. Treating discoid eczema There is no simple cure for discoid eczema, but there are medications that can help ease the symptoms. These include: emollients  to use all the time soap substitutes  to replace irritating soaps and cleaning products topical corticosteroids  for flare-ups oral corticosteroids  for severe flare-ups antibiotics  for infected eczema antihistamines  for severe itching There are many different preparations for each type of medication and it is worth taking time with your pharmacist to find the best one for you. A range of emollient products, soap substitutes and some topical corticosteroids can be bought from pharmacies without a prescription. Some of them are cheaper to buy this way than with a prescription. Ask your pharmacist for advice on the different products and how to use them. See your GP if your eczema does not improve after using an over-the-counter preparation. Self-help There are also some self-help tipsthat may help to control symptoms of discoid eczema, such as: avoiding soaps and detergents, including liquid soaps, bubble bath, shower gels and wet wipes  even if these do not obviously irritate your skin; you should use an emollient soap substitute instead protecting your skin from minor cuts (for example, by wearing gloves) as they may trigger discoid eczema taking daily lukewarm baths or showers  using an emollient when washing may reduce your symptoms, and remember to apply your treatments soon afterwards not scratching the patches  keeping your hands clean and your fingernails short may help reduce the risk of skin damage or infection from unintentional scratching making sure you use and apply your treatments as instructed by your GP or pharmacist If you suspect your skin is infected, for example because there is excessive weeping or tenderness in the patches of eczema, see your GP. Infection can spread quickly, and the use of topical corticosteroid creams can mask or further spread the infection. Emollients Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to reduce water loss and cover it with a protective film. They are often used to help manage dry or scaly skin conditions such as eczema. Choice of emollient Several different emollients are available. You may need to try a few to find one that works for you. You may also be advised to use a mix of emollients, such as: an ointment for very dry skin a cream or lotion for less dry skin an emollient to use instead of soap an emollient to add to bath water or use in the shower one emollient to use on your face and hands, and a different one to use on your body The difference between lotions, creams and ointments is the amount of oil they contain. Ointments contain the most oil so they can be quite greasy, but are the most effective at keeping moisture in the skin. Lotions contain the least amount of oil so are not greasy, but can be less effective. Creams are somewhere in between. Creams and lotions tend to be more suitable for red, inflamed (swollen) areas of skin. Ointments are more suitable for areas of dry skin that are not inflamed. If you have been using a particular emollient for some time, it may eventually become less effective or may start to irritate your skin. If this is the case, your GP will be able to prescribe another product. How to use emollients Use your emollient all the time, even if you are not experiencing symptoms as they can help limit the return of your condition. Many people find it helpful to keep separate supplies of emollients at work or school. To apply the emollient: use a large amount dont rub it in, smooth it into the skin in the same direction that the hair grows instead for very dry skin, apply the emollient every two to three hours after a bath or shower, gently dry the skin and then immediately apply the emollient while the skin is still moist If you are exposed to irritants at work, make sure you apply emollients regularly during and after work. Dont share emollients with other people. Side effects Occasionally, some emollients can irritate the skin. If you have discoid eczema, your skin will be sensitive and can react to certain ingredients in over-the-counter emollients. If your skin reacts to the emollient, stop using it and speak to your GP, who can recommend an alternative product. Emollients added to bath water can make your bath very slippery, so take care getting in and out of the bath. Topical corticosteroids To treat the patches of discoid eczema, your GP may prescribe a topical corticosteroid (corticosteroid medication that is applied directly to your skin) to reduce the inflammation. You may be concerned about using medication that contains steroids. However, corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids, which are sometimes used by bodybuilders and athletes. When used as instructed by your pharmacist or doctor, corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment for discoid eczema. Choice of topical corticosteroid There are different strengths of topical corticosteroids that can be prescribed depending on the severity of your eczema. Discoid eczema usually needs a stronger type of corticosteroid than other types of eczema. You might be prescribed a cream to be used on visible areas, such as face and hands, and an ointment to be used at night or for more severe flare-ups. How to use topical corticosteroids When using corticosteroids, apply the treatment accurately to the affected areas. Unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, you should follow directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with the corticosteroid. Do not apply the corticosteroid more than twice a day. Most people will only have to apply it once a day. To apply the topical corticosteroid, take the following steps: apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes before applying the topical corticosteroid, until the emollient has soaked into your skin apply agood amount of the topical corticosteroid to the affected area use the topical corticosteroid until the inflammation has cleared up, unless otherwise advised by your GP Speak to your prescriber if you have been using a topical corticosteroid and your symptoms have not improved. Side effects Topical corticosteroids may cause a mild and short-lived burning or stinging sensation as you apply them. In rare cases, they may also cause: thinning of the skin changes in skin colour acne (spots) increased hair growth Most of these side effects will improve once treatment stops. Generally, using a stronger topical corticosteroid, or using a large amount of topical corticosteroid, will increase your risk of getting side effects. For this reason, you should use the weakest and smallest amount possible to control your symptoms. Corticosteroid tablets If you have a severe flare-up, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid tablets to take for up to a week. If corticosteroid tablets are taken often or for a long time, they can cause a number of side effects, such as: reduced growth rate in children high blood pressure (hypertension) osteoporosis (brittle bones) diabetes For this reason, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe repeat courses of corticosteroid tablets without referring you to a specialist. Antibiotics If your eczema becomes infected, you may also be prescribed an antibiotic. Oral antibiotics If you have an extensive area of infected eczema, you may be prescribed an antibiotic to take by mouth. This is most commonly flucloxacillin, which is usually taken for one week. If you are allergic to penicillin, you might be given an alternative such as clarithromycin. Topical antibiotics If you have a small amount of infected eczema, you will normally be prescribed a topical antibiotic, such as fusidic acid. This meansthe medicine is applied directly to the affected area of skin, in the form of an ointment or cream. Some topical antibiotics are available in creams or ointments that also contain topical corticosteroids. Topical antibiotics should normally be used forup to 2weeks as necessary. Antihistamines Antihistamines are a type of medicine that work by stopping the effects of a substance in the blood called histamine. Your body often releases histamine when it comes into contact with an irritant. Histamine can cause a wide range of symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes and itching. Antihistamines may be prescribed during flare-ups of discoid eczema to cope with the symptom of itching, particularly if it is interfering with your sleep. However, they will not treat the damaged skin. Many older types of antihistamines can make you drowsy, which can be useful if your symptoms affect the quality of your sleep. Otherwise, ask your pharmacist or GP to recommend one of the more modern non-sedating antihistamines. Further treatments If the treatments prescribed by your GP are not successfully controlling your symptoms, they may refer you for assessment and treatment by a dermatologist (specialist in treating skin conditions). Further treatments that may be available from your dermatologist include: phototherapy  where the affected area of skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light to help reduce inflammation bandaging  where medicated dressings are applied to your skin immunosuppressant therapy  medicines that reduce inflammation by suppressing your immune system Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 09 November 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Varicose eczema Atopic eczema Other health sites National Eczema Society: discoid eczema BAD: discoid eczema BAD: atopic eczema Allergy UK: atopic eczema NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852