Nummular Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment

Nummular Eczema is an itchy inflammation of the skin manifested by coin-sized red scaly spots and plaques. Chronic course, non-infectious, prone to recurrence, untreated can last for about a year. The exact cause of coin dermatitis is still not known.

Clinical Signs

It begins with a papule or small vesicle, which increases in number, coalesces and forms a red, round or oval spots, plaques.
The size of the rash can be from 1 cm to 10 cm in diameter.
As the disease continues, the surface of the rash begins to peel, and the skin at the site of damage thickens a little.
If the rash is itchy, the itching is worse after bathing, especially if soap is used, after warming up.
It mostly affects the limbs, it can be in the torso area.
Rashes of this disease never appear on the face or scalp.
As the rash worsens, a change in pigmentation remains for some time in the rashed areas – the skin in these areas darker.
Heals without scarring

Risk factors:

tendency to dry skin, atopic dermatitis
tendency to contact allergies or sensitization to environmental factors
frequent and long bathing with hot water
irritating detergents and soap are used for washing
dry environment (when the ambient humidity is less than 30%)
wearing tight, rough cloth clothes
some medicines, e.g. use of antiviral or immunosuppressive drugs
chronic venous insufficiency of the legs

Diagnostics.

It is diagnosed based on the characteristic clinical picture – coin-shaped or oval-shaped red spots, plaques. If the rash is more scaly or infiltration is felt when palpated, additional tests may be performed to clarify the diagnosis:

skin biopsy
microscopic examination for fungus
allergen patch test if contact allergy is suspected

Treatment.

Topical hormonal preparations or calcineurin inhibitors are prescribed. In more complex cases, when the rash has spread or does not respond to medication, phototherapy or oral medication may be prescribed.

Round, coin-like spots can manifest various diseases: fungal infection, impetigo (bacterial infection), granuloma annulare, rosacea, psoriasis, fixed skin reaction to drugs, even cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, so self-medicate without consulting a family doctor or dermatovenerologist we do not recommend?

If you notice redness, dryness accompanied by itching, before visiting a doctor, we recommend:

wash with cooler water, limiting the duration of washing to 5 minutes.
for washing, use gentle, sensitive skin cleansers, preferably oily ones
immediately after washing, while the skin is still damp, apply moisturizing (summer) or nourishing (oilier, in winter) cream. Choose products without added fragrances.
wear looser, natural fiber clothes, avoid wool