Nummular Eczema
Nummular Eczema is one of the many forms of eczema that can affect people of any age. The word nummular has a Latin etymology that means something like “round coin,” and that is an apt description for what nummular dermatitis looks like—round, scaly patches on the skin.
Symptoms
Like other forms of eczema, nummular eczema has the same type of red, itchy, scaly, and blistery, outbreaks. The obvious feature that makes nummular eczema different is its round or oval-shaped pattern. They can occur anywhere on the body, but most people seem to develop them on their legs. Many times, the scaly patches develop severe itching.
Causes
Since it is a milder form of eczema, nummular eczema is more closely linked to dryness of the skin that it is to contact by irritants or allergic reactions. Ultimately genetic triggers cause nummular eczema, but there are other factors which produce flare-ups in people who are already more susceptible to it. Those factors include high levels of stress or anxiety, and increased caffeine intake. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it causes the body to rapidly eliminate liquids. When the body expels liquid, it means the loss of an important moisture supply for the skin. Dry skin means increased possibility of eczema. Stress, always a major contributor to eczema of any kind, can also cause nummular eczema. Because stress elevates the rate and activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, it too causes the body to eliminate (or conserve) moisture supply, which also leads to dry skin…and nummular eczema. Many people complain of the outbreak of nummular eczema during dry winter months.
Treatment
Since dry skin is the primary culprit of nummular eczema, moist skin is the best defense. Ensuring that the skin stays properly hydrated will go a long way in preventing and treating nummular eczema. Regularly applying medicated or high-quality moisturizing lotions and creams is one of the best treatments. Severe nummular eczema may require topical application of corticosteroids or oral antihistamines.