Numeral dermatitis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition

What is nummular dermatitis?

Nummular dermatitis is a type of dermatitis characterized by the appearance of patches with a circular shape like coins on the surface of the skin. Symptoms can resemble burns, lacerations, or wounds caused by insect bites.

This dermatitis can cause the skin to become very dry and crusty, or vice versa, the affected skin becomes wet and reddish in color.

Inflamed skin can cause unbearable itching, although in some cases the itching may not appear at all. Numeral dermatitis can last from several weeks to several months if not treated regularly.

This non-contagious skin disease is also known as discoid dermatitis or numularis eczema.

How common is nummular eczema?

Anyone can experience this disease, including children.

However, nummular dermatitis is more common in men aged 55-65 years than in women. In women, symptoms tend to appear in adolescence and productive adulthood.

People who are chronically addicted to alcohol (alcoholism) are also at an increased risk of developing the disease.

Numeral dermatitis can also present as a secondary condition when it is experienced by people with atopic dermatitis.

Characteristics and symptoms

What are the characteristics and symptoms of nummular dermatitis?

Initially, the symptoms of numularis dermatitis appear in the form of reddish spots and blisters that ooze.

Over time, the wound will expand and form a circular, coin-like patch that centers on the center of the skin. On average, each spot has a diameter of about 1-3 cm.

Furthermore, circle spots will appear in the symptoms of numularis dermatitis which are indicated by:

• Pink, red, or brown patches.
• The spots appear more often on the legs, but can also appear on the midsection such as the hands.
• There is an itching feeling and a burning sensation.
• The itching will get worse at night and interfere with sleep.
• After the affected skin is blistered and oozes fluid, over time the wound will crust up or turn into ulcers.
• The skin between the patches of numularis dermatitis usually becomes dry and prone to irritation.

Rubbing and scratching the affected area can cause symptoms to worsen. High temperatures and humid conditions will also make inflammation more serious.

If it gets worse, the wound caused by inflammation is prone to infection staph caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

Symptoms of numulatory dermatitis can appear in several parts of the body, and last from several weeks to several months.

When should I see a doctor?

Although not a contagious skin disease, this dermatitis can cause dangerous inflammation. The skin damage that results from it can be difficult to reverse.

If not completely treated, the missing patches can reappear right on the area of ​​the skin that was previously affected.

When you realize you have experienced the symptoms as mentioned, consult a doctor immediately for treatment. Especially if the disease has caused complications in the form of skin infections,

Cause

What causes nummular dermatitis?

The cause of nummular dermatitis is still not known for sure. However, studies show that in some cases the cause is related to skin sensitivity factors.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, trigger substances that affect skin sensitivity reactions are:

• Metals, including nickel and mercury
• Formaldehyde
• Medicines, such as neomycin (an antibiotic that you apply to your skin)

The skin of people with nummular dermatitis is also generally very dry, making it prone to irritation. This disease can also be triggered by direct contact with irritants or allergens that can cause contact dermatitis.

In some people symptoms can appear on scars due to skin inflammation or other types of dermatitis.

Inflammation can get worse if the skin gets drier or too moisturized due to sweating and temperature increases.

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for numeral eczema?

You are at higher risk for this type of dermatitis when:

• Living in a cold region with a dry climate.
• Have eczema or static dermatitis.
• Experiencing swelling in the legs or obstruction of blood flow.
• The surface of the skin is injured by insect bites, contact with certain chemicals, and scratches.
• Experiencing skin infections caused by bacteria.
• Taking drugs such as isotretinoin and interferon. Isotretinoin is a drug commonly used to reduce acne symptoms or to reduce the risk of skin disorders. Meanwhile, interferon can cause widespread and worsening of symptoms of nummular dermatitis.

Diagnosis

How is numularis dermatitis diagnosed?

Doctors can diagnose numulatory dermatitis by identifying symptoms. However, this method can sometimes result in the wrong diagnosis. Doctors may think that this condition indicates a skin infection caused by a fungus.

Therefore, tests are sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis from symptom identification. Some of the tests that are commonly done for numularis dermatitis are:

• Skin biopsy: taking a skin sample which will then be analyzed in the laboratory to see if there is a fungal, viral, bacterial infection, or not at all.
• Patch test: patch test used to identify the substance or type of allergen that causes an inflammatory reaction in the skin.
• Skin test: a skin sample will be examined for the presence of certain infections.

Swab: usually done to identify bacterial infections of the skin.

Treatment

How to treat nummular dermatitis?

Dermatitis is an incurable skin disease, including numularis. However, with proper treatment, the intensity of symptom severity can be controlled and the risk of recurrence at any time can also be reduced.

On average, the duration of treatment for this type of dermatitis is quite long, especially if the patient has long-term symptoms.

The following are ways that can be done to treat the symptoms of nummular dermatitis:

• Applying topical creams or steroids regularly to every part of the skin that is affected.
• Applying a cream or ointment consisting of a combination of steroids, antibiotics and antiseptics.
• Apply creams or ointments that the doctor prescribes to the womb tacrolimus or pimecrolimus to relieve skin inflammation.
• Apply non-cosmetic or emollient skin moisturizer regularly to the affected skin area to keep the skin moisturized.
• Perform phototherapy (therapy using ultraviolet light) when symptoms can not be controlled using drugs.
• Taking special immunosuppressant drugs for worsening symptoms.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes and home remedies for treating numulatory dermatitis?

Changing habits to restore the health of skin damaged by inflammation can be started by stopping scratching the affected skin. In addition, you also need to protect that part of the skin so that it is not injured or scratched by rough objects.

Keeping the skin hydrated is the right step to help prevent inflammation. The trick is to soak in water for 3 minutes, then apply a moisturizer to the half-dry skin. Bathing ritual for dermatitis is enough to be done once a day.