Types of Eczema & Psoriasis
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) - usually involves the skin inside the creases of the inward bend of the elbow, knee, ankle, or wrist joints, the hands, or the upper eyelids.
Contact dermatitis - Irritant contact dermatitis is direct irritation of the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis when an allergic reaction occurs in the skin.
Varicose eczema - affects the lower legs of those in their middle to late years, being caused by poor circulation.
Discoid eczema - usually found in adults and appears suddenly as a few coin shaped areas of red skin, normally on the trunk or lower legs.
Hand eczema - This form of chronic eczema is limited to the hands. It can be related to atopic eczema or it can occur because of repeated hand washing or exposure to strong detergents. Occasionally, hand eczema is caused by an allergy, such as a latex allergy.
Nummular eczema - This type of eczema causes round, coin-sized patches of irritated skin, typically on the legs, arms or chest.
Asteatotic eczema - This dry-skin eczema causes fine cracks in the skin, usually first involving the lower legs, where there are fewer oil glands. It commonly occurs in the elderly, especially during winter months.
Stasis dermatitis - This type of eczema occurs on the calves, ankles and feet in people who have varicose veins or other conditions that lead to poor blood circulation in the lower legs. Leg swelling leads to itching, fine red bumps, skin darkening and, sometimes, ankle sores.
Lichen simplex chronicus - This form of eczema is a reaction to repeatedly scratching or rubbing the skin in one location. A nervous skin-scratching habit can lead to thickened, discolored skin on the wrist, the ankle, groin or the back of the neck.
Seborrheic dermatitis (seborrhea) - Some doctors consider seborrhea to be a type of eczema, although it creates a greasier rash than is usual for eczema conditions. This scaly dermatitis commonly appears on the scalp as "cradle cap" in infants or dandruff in adults.
Types of Psoriasis
Psoriasis Vulgaris - known as "plaque psoriasis," it is the type that affects 80% to 90% of people with the disease. Psoriasis vulgaris can be recognized by the presence of raised, red, scaly patches (or "plaques")
Guttate psoriasis - About 10% of patients have this type. Guttate psoriasis often appears after someone suffers from strep throat (a throat infection caused by streptococcus bacteria). It commonly starts in childhood or adolescence with the sudden appearance of drop-sized patches (guttate means drop-like).
