Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by redness, itching, swelling, and scaling, caused by external (exogenous) or internal (endogenous) factors.
Mnemonic: "E.C.Z.E.M.A. = Every Chronic Zone Experiences Major
Allergy"
TYPES OF ECZEMA
- Exogenous (External Factors – Contact Dermatitis).
- Endogenous (Internal Factors – Atopic, Seborrheic, Stasis Eczema).
Mnemonic: "E.E." (Exogenous, Endogenous)
EXOGENOUS (CONTACT) ECZEMAS
1. Irritant Contact Dermatitis
(Non-Allergic, Due to Direct Skin Irritation)
- Caused by Soaps, Detergents, Acids, Chemicals.
- Occurs on Hands (Housewife’s Eczema) & Diaper Area (Diaper Dermatitis).
Mnemonic: "S.A.D." (Soaps, Acids, Detergents)
2. Allergic Contact Dermatitis
(Delayed Hypersensitivity – Type IV Reaction)
- Triggered by Allergens (Metals, Cosmetics, Fragrances, Rubber, Dyes).
- Diagnosed by Patch Test.
- Common on Ears (Jewelry), Face (Cosmetics), Hands (Cement), Feet (Shoes).
Mnemonic: "M.C.F.R.D." (Metals, Cosmetics, Fragrances,
Rubber, Dyes)
3. Photoallergic & Phototoxic
Dermatitis
- Caused by Sunlight + Chemicals (Perfumes, Sulfa Drugs, Psoralens).
- Phototoxic → Affects All, Photoallergic → Affects Only Sensitized People.
Mnemonic: "S.P.S." (Sunlight + Perfumes, Sulfa,
Psoralens)
ENDOGENOUS ECZEMAS
1. Atopic Dermatitis (Genetic,
Allergic Tendency)
- Associated with Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis.
- Severe Itching → "The Itch that Rashes".
- Common in Infants (Face, Scalp) & Adults (Flexural Areas – Elbows, Knees).
Mnemonic: "A.A.A." (Atopic → Asthma, Allergy, Atopy)
2. Seborrheic Dermatitis (Excess
Oil + Yeast Overgrowth – Malassezia Furfur)
- Affects Oily Areas (Scalp, Face, Chest, Nasolabial Folds).
- Dandruff (Mild Form) & Greasy Scales.
- Common in HIV & Parkinson’s Patients.
Mnemonic: "O.G.H." (Oily Skin, Greasy Scales, HIV Risk)
3. Stasis Dermatitis
(Gravitational Eczema – Due to Poor Blood Circulation)
- Affects Lower Legs (Due to Varicose Veins, DVT).
- Itching, Swelling, Brown Pigmentation.
Mnemonic: "S.L.V." (Stasis, Lower Legs, Varicose Veins)
4. Discoid (Nummular) Eczema
(Coin-Shaped Lesions on Legs & Arms)
- Dry, Itchy, Circular Patches on Limbs.
- Worse in Winter, Looks Like Fungal Infection.
Mnemonic: "D.C.L." (Discoid, Circular, Limbs)
5. Asteatotic Eczema (Winter
Eczema – Due to Dry Skin & Cold Weather)
- Seen in Elderly, Hospitalized Patients.
- "Cracked Pavement" or "Crazy Paving" Appearance on Legs.
Mnemonic: "C.P.W." (Cracked Pavement, Winter, Water Loss)
6. Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Eczema
– Vesicular Eczema of Hands & Feet)
- Deep-Seated, Itchy, Water-Filled Blisters on Palms & Soles.
- Triggered by Stress, Heat, Sweating.
Mnemonic: "P.H.S." (Pompholyx, Hands, Stress-Triggered)
CLINICAL STAGES OF ECZEMA
- Acute Stage → Redness, Swelling, Vesicles, Oozing.
- Subacute Stage → Scaling, Lichenification, Fissuring.
- Chronic Stage → Thickened, Dry, Hyperpigmented Skin.
Mnemonic: "A.S.C." (Acute – Swelling, Subacute – Scaling,
Chronic – Cracking)
DIAGNOSIS OF ECZEMA
- Clinical Examination (Based on Symptoms).
- Patch Test (For Allergic Contact Dermatitis).
- Dermoscopy (For Chronic Eczema).
Mnemonic: "C.P.D." (Clinical, Patch, Dermoscopy)
TREATMENT OF ECZEMA
1. GENERAL MEASURES
- Avoid Triggers (Soaps, Perfumes, Chemicals, Heat).
- Keep Skin Moisturized (Emollients Like Petroleum Jelly).
- Wear Cotton Clothes, Avoid Scratching.
Mnemonic: "A.K.W." (Avoid Triggers, Keep Moisturized,
Wear Cotton)
2. MEDICAL TREATMENT
- Topical Steroids (Hydrocortisone, Clobetasol – Reduce Inflammation).
- Antihistamines (Cetirizine, Hydroxyzine – Control Itching).
- Calcineurin Inhibitors (Tacrolimus – For Atopic Dermatitis).
- Antibiotics (For Secondary Infection – Mupirocin, Cephalexin).
- Antifungals (For Seborrheic Dermatitis – Ketoconazole).
Mnemonic: "S.A.C.A.A." (Steroids, Antihistamines,
Calcineurin, Antibiotics, Antifungals)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF ECZEMA
- For Dry, Cracked, Itchy Skin:
- Graphites, Petroleum, Sulphur, Arsenicum Album.
- For Weeping, Oozing Eczema:
- Rhus Tox, Mezereum, Natrum Mur, Hepar Sulph.
- For Atopic Dermatitis (Allergic Eczema):
- Thuja, Calcarea Carb, Natrum Sulph, Psorinum.
- For Seborrheic Dermatitis:
- Kali Sulph, Selenium, Natrum Muriaticum.
Mnemonic: "G.P.S." (Graphites, Petroleum, Sulphur for Dry
Eczema) & "R.M.N.H." (Rhus Tox, Mezereum, Nat Mur, Hepar for
Weeping Eczema)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "E.C.Z.E.M.A. = Every Chronic Zone Experiences Major Allergy"
- Types = "E.E." (Exogenous, Endogenous)
- Contact Dermatitis = "S.A.D." (Soaps, Acids, Detergents) & "M.C.F.R.D." (Metals, Cosmetics, Fragrances, Rubber, Dyes)
- Atopic Dermatitis = "A.A.A." (Atopic → Asthma, Allergy, Atopy)
- Seborrheic Dermatitis = "O.G.H." (Oily Skin, Greasy Scales, HIV Risk)
- Stages = "A.S.C." (Acute – Swelling, Subacute – Scaling, Chronic – Cracking)
- Diagnosis = "C.P.D." (Clinical, Patch, Dermoscopy)
- Treatment = "S.A.C.A.A." (Steroids, Antihistamines, Calcineurin, Antibiotics, Antifungals)
- Homeopathy = "G.P.S." (Graphites, Petroleum, Sulphur for Dry Eczema)
