At certain stages of their development, the following conditions
may resemble eczema,but are actually very different in origin
and character. If a patient is ever in doubt as to the nature
if their condition, then specialist advice should be sought
without delay.
Erysipelas
Characterised by well defined red, shiny and tender eruptions.
It is often accompanied by blisters and commonly, a high
fever and chills. It can be recurrent in some patients.
Erythema
Multiforme
This is an inflammatory eruption with symmetric redness
of the skin and swollen lesions. The onset is usually
sudden with papules, weals and blisters mostly found on
the hands, feet and face. This condition can often be
caused by drugs and can last between two to four weeks,
often reoccurring annually.
Fungal
Infections
Usually only a mild inflammatory condition, but very persistent,
these infections can include ringworm, ringworm of the scalp,
athlete's foot and jock / dhobi itch.
Ichthyosis
Chronic dryness and scaling of the skin. This is often
an hereditary condition, but can signal lymphoma in children.
Lichen
Planus
This is a recurring eruption, characterised by itchy and
inflamed, angular papules that may form rough, scaly patches.
It may be coupled with mild to severe itching with the
mouth being affected in most cases. It is rare in children.
Pemphigus
A very rare but sometimes fatal disease. There are blisters
on the skin and on mucous membranes, which leave a raw
and crusty area when burst. The top layer of the skin
can be easily detached from the underlying layers and
the condition may occur in the mouth. Treatment usually
requires hospitalisation.
Itching
(Pruritis)
This may come under the umbrella of a skin disease or
it may be symptomatic of another disease.
Itchy skin diseases include: scabies, insect bites, blocked
sweat glands, lice and dry skin in the elderly.
Symptomatic
itching occurs in many conditions: including lymphoma,
leukaemia, diabetes and internal cancers.
General:
many drugs, for example barbiturates, can cause generalised
itching and itching can occur in the later months of pregnancy.
Psoriasis
This shows dry, silvery patches of various sizes, it is
not particularly itchy but accompanied by redness of the
skin and papules.
Scabies
This is caused by a mite and is characterised by intense
itching, especially in bed. Lesions are caused by the
mite's burrowing and appear as thin, wavy lines with a
small lump at one end. Scabies can be difficult to diagnose,
as once lesions are scratched, they can resemble an outbreak
of eczema.
Scalded
Skin Syndrome
This is a severe peeling condition, which gives the appearance
of scalded skin. It begins with a crusty eruption, usually
around the nose or ear and quickly develops into widespread
redness and the peeling off or scaling of the top layer
of skin. The skin peels off in large sheets and progresses
rapidly; it is unlikely to present itself as chronic eczema.
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