The patches are itchy and flaky and may weep and crust over.
Discoid eczema is achronic condition.
The patches can last for months, or years in some cases, and are likely to reoccur.
Verywell / Julie Bang
Discoid eczema is also callednummular eczema, nummular dermatitis, and discoid dermatitis.
Discoid Eczema Symptoms
Discoid eczema causes very distinct circular, raised patches of irritated skin.
The rash because of discoid eczema can be extremely itchy and may also burn.
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The skin becomes inflamed, scaly, or crusty, and the patches may crack and ooze.
The rash may heal completely between breakouts, but it doesn’t always.
It’s quite common to have a breakout that lasts for many months.
Discoid eczema is a chronic condition.
Causes of Eczema Patches
No one knows exactly what causes discoid eczema to develop.
It doesn’t often occur on the face.
Triggers
Men are slightly more likely than women to develop discoid eczema.
In men, discoid eczema most often makes its first appearance after age 50.
That said, it can happen across all ages, though it is fairly uncommon in children.
Discoid eczema isn’t contagious, so you didn’t catch it from someone else.
Likewise, you needn’t worry about passing the condition to another person.
Diagnosis
There is no specific test for discoid eczema.
Instead, it’s diagnosed by visual exam and ruling out other possible causes for your rash.
Your healthcare provider may also decide to dopatch testingto test for allergies.
It may take a few tries to find the treatment that works best for you.
Topical steroidsare the most common treatment for discoid eczema.Topical steroids help reduce inflammation and irritation.
It’s important to use topical steroids exactly as directed.
Daily use is not advised.
These medications are approved for use in atopic dermatitis but are also sometimes prescribed for discoid eczema.
TCIs work by inhibiting the immune response that is triggering the rash.
Oral antibioticsmay be prescribed if your eczema patches are infected, or if your discoid eczema is very severe.
Antihistaminesare not typically effective in treating severe itch seen in different forms of eczema including discoid eczema.
If, however, itchiness is interfering with sleep, sedating antihistamines can be useful.
Moisturizersshould be used frequently.
Topical phosphodiesterase (PDE-4) inhibitorsinclude Eucrisa (crisaborole) and Zoryve (roflumilast).
They have been FDA-approved for use in atopic dermatitis but may be prescribed for discoid eczema.
Coping
Eczema patches can be incredibly distressing to those who have it.
Part of what makes discoid eczema so stressful is the feeling of being out of control of your skin.
You don’t know when a breakout will occur and when it will go away.
In addition, some studies have shown that stress-relieving activities can also help reduce itching.
Dealing With Itching
The itching of discoid eczema can be unbearable at times.
You may also talk to your healthcare provider about taking an antihistamine.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you think you may have discoid eczema.
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