What is Nummular Eczema?
Nummular dermatitis, or Nummular Eczema as it is commonly referred to by, is an allergy related disorder. If you have suffered with Nummular Eczema or know someone who has, you know it’s no walk in the park. It is like regular eczema times 10.
Nummular Eczema vs. Regular Eczema
Nummular Eczema is accompanied by oval and round-shaped lesions. Nummular means coin in Latin. These lesions are very irritating and itchy. These lesions first appear as little red bumps and gradually enlarge. These lesions will appear most commonly on the arms and legs (although they can also spread to the chest, back and stomach). The lesions typically alternate between oozing and crusting up. They closely resemble ring worms or psoriasis.
Like regular Eczema, Nummular Eczema can occur at any age. But it is more prevalent with older people, especially men. There is no definite cure and it is reoccurring. It typically will come and go many times throughout a person’s life.
Similarities between Eczema and Nummular Eczema
- No cure
- Reoccurring
- Dry skin is a culprit
- Creams can help soften and eliminate effects
Differences between Eczema and Nummular Eczema
- More frequent in old men
- Nummular Eczema is more severe
- Lesions are coin-shaped
- May be correlated with allergies
Causes of Nummular Eczema
Up to this point, scientific studies haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact cause of Nummular Eczema. It appears that that genetics might play a big role. There have been many studies that have correlated Nummular Eczema with allergies and asthma. Occurrence is more likely to happen when the skin is dry and this might explain why it typically occurs with most people during the winter months. There also have been theories that associate it with stress. We are still waiting on more credible scientific studies before we buy into this.
Is there a Nummular Eczema cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Nummular Eczema. However, although it cannot be cured, it can be contained. Over the past few years there have been numerous scientific advances that have helped eliminate the terrible side effects associated with Nummular Eczema.
Nummular Eczema Treatments
The best way to combat Nummular Eczema is through eczema creams. Keeping the body moisturized not only will help lessen the side effects but also prevent future outbreaks. Avoid lotions if possible. Although they are cheaper, they often contain chemicals that aren’t effective and be too harsh on the skin.
You should also be careful about what touches your skin. Don’t wear wool clothes or sleep with wool blankets. The softer the clothes, the better. The best type of clothes to wear are cotton. 100 percent cotton if you can. When washing clothes, avoid fabric softeners.
A common mistake made is taking extra baths or showers. This will only worsen the condition. A good rule of thumb for people with Nummular Eczema is to bathe (not shower) five times a week. Bath oils are advisable and can be helpful and you should avoid harsh soaps or detergents. The best soaps to use are Cetaphil or Oil of Olay.
In some cases, getting UV rays has been shown to help so hitting the tanning bed might not be a bad idea.
If eczema creams don’t seem to be able to do the trick, try seeing a dermatologists. Typically dermatologists will recommend corticosteroids or oral antihistamines. Corticosteroids are typically applied topically. They have been associated with some nasty side effects so be sure to consult your dermatologist beforehand. They should only be used in extreme circumstances. Tar preparations have also been used to decrease inflammation and swelling (although it does smell and can stain clothes).
Nummular Eczema Do and Don’ts
Dos:
- Keep body moisturized
- Use Eczema creams
- Consult your dermatologists
- Go Tanning
Don’t
- Bath too frequently
- Use cheap lotions
- Wear rough clothing
- Use heavy-duty soap or detergents
