Dry eczema and wet eczema: different symptoms and causes

Eczema is a derivative of an inflammatory skin disease called dermatitis. Indonesian people may be more familiar with the terms dry eczema and wet eczema. In fact, both of them are in different categories of skin conditions with different treatments.

So, what is the difference between the two?

What is dry eczema and wet eczema?

In fact, there is no such thing as dry eczema and wet eczema. Another name for eczema that is recognized in the medical world is only atopic dermatitis.

Eczema, aka atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammation that attacks the skin layers, making the skin red, itchy, dry, and rough. The main symptom is a red, swollen rash that looks very dry and feels itchy.

The itching that accompanies it can be very mild or even very severe. Launching the National Eczema Association, eczema symptoms usually appear on one part of the skin, for example the face, the inside of the elbows, the back of the knees, and the hands and feet.

Dry scaly rash typical of eczema can also appear on other parts of the body such as the scalp (seborrheic dermatitis), ankles and hands, skin folds, to the groin. The location where the rash appears is indicative of the type of dermatitis you have.

Rough, scaly skin and a dry, red rash that results from atopic dermatitis usually does not cause wet sores, ulcers, or similar conditions. This is what is often considered dry eczema.

In serious cases, the affected skin may feel sore or tender to the touch, and may be accompanied by small blisters. The blister can break or peel and release fluid which then forms a crust. This watery nodule is often referred to as wet eczema.

If the eczema rash is constantly scratched, the layers of the skin will be damaged, causing open wounds to allow bacterial infections to enter. Open sores caused by atopic dermatitis are also commonly referred to as wet eczema.

Wet and dry eczema may indicate a type of eczema

Summarizing the above explanation, dry eczema and wet eczema are actually just a common mention for differences in the symptoms of dermatitis that appear on the skin. Meanwhile, eczema (atopic dermatitis) itself is a type of dermatitis.

Dermatitis is medically divided into several types based on the trigger of the symptoms and the cause, not based on the condition of the wound wet or dry.

Basically, almost all types of dermatitis cause dry and rough skin to crack. However, certain types of dermatitis may accentuate the symptoms that can turn into a wet rash while others do not.

According to the National Eczema Society, apart from atopic dermatitis, the types of dermatitis that are also commonly found are as follows.

1. Irritant contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis is skin inflammation that is triggered by exposure to irritants such as acids, bleaches, cleaning fluids, kerosene, and detergents.

Common symptoms caused by irritant contact dermatitis are skin that feels sore, hot, and itchy. Its appearance is often seen as dry or cracked skin. This is why irritant contact dermatitis is also often called dry eczema.

However, certain cases of irritant contact dermatitis can also develop watery rashes that can break. This skin condition is known as wet eczema.

2. Allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin experiences an allergic reaction after contact with a foreign substance, causing itching and irritation. The trigger can be in the form of fragrances, latex, cosmetics, plants, to metals such as gold and nickel.

In this condition, the red rash appears dry and appears on areas in direct contact with the substance within 24 to 48 hours. Most likely, allergic contact dermatitis is what can also be called dry eczema.

3. Dysidrotic eczema

Dysidrotic eczema or dyshidrosis is the appearance of small, itchy, fluid-filled rashes on the surface of the skin. The areas of skin that are often affected are the palms of the hands and / or soles of the feet and between the fingers.

The blisters can continue to appear on the skin and last about 3 weeks. The blister can also burst and ooze. These fluid-filled rashes and broken sores are often referred to as wet eczema.

When the blister dries, the skin affected by eczema will become cracked and painful. If you scratch the dry eczema area, you will also feel the skin feel thicker and supple. This is what is known as dry eczema.

Dysidrotic eczema is more common in women than men. Dysidrosis eczema can be caused by exposure to chromium (commonly found in salt), allergies, damp hands / feet, and stress.

4. Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis causes thick, scaly patches to appear on the skin. This type of dermatitis is often experienced by people who have psoriasis and other skin conditions that cause dry skin.

Symptoms of itching and scaly patches that appear on the skin are known as dry eczema. It's still not known what exactly causes neurodermatitis, but many experts believe stress can trigger the itching symptom.

5. Numeral dermatitis

Nummular dermatitis causes the formation of round blisters on the surface of the skin. This condition can be triggered by the body's response to insect bites or metals and chemicals.

Symptoms of nummular eczema are initially characterized by inflammation of the skin resulting in wet sores. However, as soon as the skin begins to crust, dry ulcers will appear covering that part of the skin so that this condition is considered dry eczema.

6. Stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis is inflammation of the skin on the legs caused by dilation of blood vessels (varicose veins). The flow of blood that is not smooth makes blood and fluids trapped in the lower limbs, especially the calves and legs.

Blood and fluids eventually cause swelling, redness, itching, and pain in the skin. This is what most Indonesians might call wet eczema.

7. Pasteatotic eczema

Pasteatotic eczema generally affects people over the age of 60. The cause is not known with certainty, but many experts attribute it to the following conditions:

• Too dry skin.
• Skin that is too clean.
• Too often hot showers.
• Excessive drying of the skin.

Pasteatotic eczema initially appears on the skin of the legs where the shins are. Other body parts that can be affected by dry eczema are the upper arms, thighs and lower back.

The rash appears pink or red in color, but tends to only affect the surface of the skin around the appearance of the eczema. Based on the symptoms it shows, this eczema is dry eczema.

Dry eczema and wet eczema are terms to describe the symptoms of dermatitis on the skin. Skin that has a rash, scaly, or peeling skin is called dry eczema, while blisters or rashes filled with fluid is called eczema.

The location where the symptoms appear will determine the type of dermatitis you have. If the problem with your skin is known, this will help the doctor in providing treatment.