One of the common forms of rashes that may affect you is eczema. As per the National Eczema Association, the skin condition affects more than 25 million Americans. When you do not go for early diagnosis and treatment of your eczema, you risk numerous complications, including skin infections, sleep problems, mental health problems, and darker or lighter skin patches. A specialist in eczema & rashes Santa Barbara can help you better understand your condition and the right treatment plan and prevention measures. Also, remember that you may need a professional diagnosis of your rash because most rashes often come with similar signs and symptoms.
Moreover, a specialist diagnosis of your eczema is crucial because it comes in different forms. Thus, your health provider can help you know whether you have dyshidrotic, follicular, perioral, or asteatotic eczema.
For instance, an asteatotic eczema is a form of eczema characterized by skin that is dry and fissured because of the skin becoming dehydrated. If you are a geriatric patient and reside in a dry and cold climate, you are at high risk of asteatotic eczema.
Subsequently, below are some common telltale signs that you may have eczema.
1. Thick skin
Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema often is associated with thickened skin patches because it is always intensely itchy. Because the skin is extremely itchy, it is impossible not to scratch it.
The constant scratching of the inflamed skin eventually creates wounds and thickened skin patches. The thickened skin also often appears leathery.
However, other rashes, such as psoriasis, are associated with a thick, scaly rash. Thus, only a specialist diagnosis will identify your specific condition and its cause.
1. tching skin that worsens at night
Naturally, the cortisol in your body reaches its highest level in the middle of the night. Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone and thus controls surges when you perceive danger and triggers all the symptoms associated with the fight or flight mechanism.
Because cortisol controls the body’s itchiness and inflammation, you will feel slightly better in the morning when you have eczema because the stress hormone level is higher. But, before bedtime or in the middle of the night, cortisol levels are lower, and thus eczema rashes become itchier.
Psoriasis does not cause intense itching as eczema rashes.
1. Red or brown-gray patches
Most people think eczema only appears as a red, dry rash. The eczema rashes appear red if you are light-skinned.
But if you have dark, brown, or black skin, it becomes difficult to see the redness of eczema rashes. Therefore, your eczema patches may appear brown-gray, darker brown, ashen gray, or purple.
2. Cracked and bleeding skin
You are highly likely to have cracked eczema rashes as they are itchy, and you constantly scratch them. The cracking of your inflamed skin will often cause bleeding.
3. Location of the rash
For instance, a fungal rash known as an athlete’s foot begins between your toes. But eczema rashes often appear on the back of your knees, inside your elbows, and on your hands. In a child, eczema patches can occur on the scalp.
Contact LUX Dermatology today to schedule an appointment with a specialist in eczema & rashes.
