Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Nummular eczema

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Skin layers
Skin layers

Alternative names    Return to top

Eczema - nummular; Nummular dermatitis

Definition    Return to top

Nummular eczema is an allergy-related skin disorder causing characteristic itchy, coin-shaped lesions.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

The cause of nummular eczema is unknown, but there usually is a personal or family history of asthma, allergies, atopic dermatitis, or similar disorders. It is a relatively uncommon disorder that most often occurs in elderly men.

Eczema is generally a chronic, recurring condition. Exposure to environmental irritants may worsen symptoms, as can dryness of the skin, temperature changes, and stress.

Symptoms    Return to top

Signs and tests    Return to top

Nummular eczema is diagnosed based on the appearance of the skin, and on personal and family history. A skin biopsy may sometimes be needed to exclude other conditions with a similar appearance.

Treatment    Return to top

The health care provider should be consulted for diagnosis of nummular eczema, as it can be difficult to differentiate from other skin disorders. Treatment should be guided by the health care provider.

Treatment is focused on relief of the symptoms. Anything that aggravates the symptoms is avoided whenever possible. Frequent bathing is not advised. Other possible allergens are avoided, including foods and environmental irritants, such as wool and lanolin.

Dry skin often makes the condition worse, so bathing and the use of soaps may be reduced. Temperature changes and stress may cause sweating and changes in the blood vessels of the skin, also aggravating the condition.

Topical treatment of weeping skin areas may include soothing lotions, soaps, or wet dressings. Mild antipruritic lotions or topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) steroids may be used to soothe scaly, dry, less acute, or healing areas. Chronic areas may be treated with ointments or creams that contain tar or corticosteroids, or lubricating, skin softening, or other ingredients. Systemic corticosteroids may (rarely) be used for severe cases.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Nummular eczema is a chronic condition, but it may be controlled with treatment and avoidance of irritants.

Complications    Return to top

Possible complications are secondary infections of the skin.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate that you may have nummular eczema.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms persist despite treatment and avoidance of allergens, or if signs of infection (such as fever, redness, or pain around a lesion) occur.

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known way to prevent the disorder. Avoiding environmental irritants and other aggravating factors may reduce the severity of symptoms in people who have nummular eczema.

Update Date: 8/15/2003

Updated by: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

adam.com logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.