Nummular dermatitis

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Nummular dermatitis
Other namesDiscoid dermatitis, Discoid eczema, Microbial eczema, Nummular eczema, Nummular neurodermatitis
Nummular dermatitits.jpg
Lesions visible on outer thigh
Specialty Dermatology
Differential diagnosis Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

Nummular dermatitis is one of the many forms of dermatitis. [1] It is characterized by round or oval-shaped itchy lesions. [2] The name comes from the Latin word "nummus," which means "coin."

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Nummular dermatitis is characterized by chronic or relapsing itchy coin-sized ovoid-shaped red plaques. [3] [4] They can occur on the trunk, limbs, face, and hands. [1] [2] [5]

Causes

Many contact sensitizers or irritants are known to cause contact dermatitis superimposed on nummular dermatitis. Studies have implicated nickel, cobalt, chromate, and fragrance as likely culprits. [6] [7] Xerosis, or dehydration of skin is also a likely cause. [8] Infection with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or Candida albicans may also play a role. [8]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of nummular dermatitis is largely via clinical observation. Biopsies are typically not necessary, and cannot be used to rule out other atopic dermatitis or other eczemas. [9] [10] However, patch testing may be employed to rule out irritants (contact dermatitis) as a cause. [6] [11] In children, nummular dermatitis is commonly confused with tinea corporis. [8]

Treatment

One of the keys to treatment and prevention involves keeping the skin moisturized. Lotions, creams, and bath oils may help prevent an outbreak. If the condition flares up, a common treatment involves the application of topical corticosteroids. Oral antihistamines may help lessen itching. Avoidance of irritants is a common strategy. More severe cases sometimes respond to ultraviolet light treatment. If the condition occurs only during the sun-less winter months then vitamin D supplement might be an effective treatment.[ citation needed ]

Epidemiology

The prevalence of nummular dermatitis in the United States is approximately 2 per 1,000. [12] It is considered a disease of adulthood, for it is rare in children. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermatitis</span> Inflammation of the skin

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can vary from small to covering the entire body. Dermatitis is often called eczema, and the difference between those terms is not standardized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irritant diaper dermatitis</span> Medical condition

Irritant diaper dermatitis is a generic term applied to skin rash in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contact dermatitis</span> Human disease

Contact dermatitis is a type of acute or chronic inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include itchy or dry skin, a red rash, bumps, blisters, or swelling. These rashes are not contagious or life-threatening, but can be very uncomfortable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pimecrolimus</span> Chemical compound

Pimecrolimus is an immunomodulating agent of the calcineurin inhibitor class used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is available as a topical cream, once marketed by Novartis under the trade name Elidel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pityriasis rosea</span> Skin disease

Pityriasis rosea is a type of skin rash. Classically, it begins with a single red and slightly scaly area known as a "herald patch". This is then followed, days to weeks later, by an eruption of many smaller scaly spots; pinkish with a red edge in people with light skin and greyish in darker skin. About 20% of cases show atypical deviations from this pattern. It usually lasts less than three months and goes away without treatment. Sometimes malaise or a fever may occur before the start of the rash or itchiness, but often there are few other symptoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moisturizer</span> Type of cosmetics

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atopy</span> Predisposition towards allergy

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Dyshidrosis is a type of dermatitis that is characterized by itchy blisters on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet. Blisters are generally one to two millimeters in size and heal over three weeks. However, they often recur. Redness is not usually present. Repeated attacks may result in fissures and skin thickening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atopic dermatitis</span> Long-term form of skin inflammation

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin (dermatitis). It results in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas, which can thicken over time. AD may also simply be called eczema, a term that generally refers to a larger group of skin conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prurigo nodularis</span> Medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ear eczema</span> Medical condition

Auricular eczema is an eczema of the ear that may involve the helix, postauricular fold, and external auditory canal, with the most frequently affected site being the external canal, where it is often a manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis. This is an neuroallergic inflammation of skin with evident itch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand eczema</span> Skin condition

Hand eczema presents on the palms and soles, and may sometimes be difficult or impossible to differentiate from atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and psoriasis, which also commonly involve the hands. Even a biopsy of all these conditions may not result in a definitive diagnosis, as all three conditions may demonstrate spongiosis and crusting on the hands.

Id reactions are types of acute dermatitis developing after days or weeks at skin locations distant from the initial inflammatory or infectious site. They can be localised or generalised. This is also known as an 'autoeczematous response' and there must be an identifiable initial inflammatory or infectious skin problem which leads to the generalised eczema. Often intensely itchy, the red papules and pustules can also be associated with blisters and scales and are always remote from the primary lesion. It is most commonly a blistering rash with itchy vesicles on the sides of fingers and feet as a reaction to fungal infection on the feet, athlete's foot. Stasis dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, acute irritant contact eczema and infective dermatitis have been documented as possible triggers, but the exact cause and mechanism is not fully understood. Several other types of id reactions exist including erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme, Sweet's syndrome and urticaria.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis(APD) occurs during the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle and is an uncommon cyclic premenstrual reaction to progesterone. It can present itself in several ways, including eczema, erythema multiforme, urticaria, angioedema, and progesterone-induced anaphylaxis. The first case of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis was identified in 1964. Reproductive function may be impacted by APD.

Perfume intolerance or perfume allergy is a condition wherein people exhibit sensitivity or allergic reactions to ingredients in some perfumes and some other fragrances. It is a form of multiple chemical sensitivity, a more general phenomenon for this diagnosis.

Senile pruritus is one of the most common conditions in the elderly or people over 65 years of age with an emerging itch that may be accompanied with changes in temperature and textural characteristics. In the elderly, xerosis, is the most common cause for an itch due to the degradation of the skin barrier over time. However, the cause of senile pruritus is not clearly known. Diagnosis is based on an elimination criteria during a full body examination that can be done by either a dermatologist or non-dermatologist physician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickel allergy</span> Medical condition

Nickel allergy is any of several allergic conditions provoked by exposure to the chemical element nickel. Nickel allergy often takes the form of nickel allergic contact dermatitis (Ni-ACD), a form of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Ni-ACD typically causes a rash that is red and itchy and that may be bumpy or scaly. The main treatment for it is avoiding contact with nickel-releasing metals, such as inexpensive jewelry. Another form of nickel allergy is a systemic form: systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS) can mimic some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and also has a dermatologic component.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lip licker's dermatitis</span> Medical condition

Lip licker's dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation around the lips due to damage by saliva from repetitive lip licking and is classified as a subtype of irritant contact cheilitis. The resulting scaling, redness, chapping, and crusting makes a well-defined ring around the lips. The rash may extend as far as the tongue can reach and usually does not occur at the corners of the mouth. It commonly occurs during winter months but some people can have it year-round if lip licking is a chronic habit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abrocitinib</span> Chemical compound

Abrocitinib, sold under the brand name Cibinqo, is a medication used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is a Janus kinase inhibitor and it was developed by Pfizer. It is taken by mouth.

References

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