Dry round red patches on skin: Discoid eczema | nidirect

23.11.202113.07.2023 by alexxlab

Discoid eczema | nidirect

Discoid eczema, also known as nummular or discoid dermatitis, is a long-term skin condition. It causes skin to become itchy, reddened, swollen and cracked in circular or oval patches. See your pharmacist or GP if you think you may have discoid eczema so they can recommend a suitable treatment.

Symptoms of discoid eczema

Circular or oval patches of eczema

Circular or oval patches of eczema can affect any part of the body, although they don’t usually affect the face or scalp.

They start as a group of small red spots or bumps on the skin which join up to form larger pink, red or brown patches that can range from a few millimetres to several centimetres in size.

Blistering

At first, these patches of eczema are often swollen, blistered (covered with small fluid-filled pockets) and ooze fluid.

Itchiness and pain

The patches also tend to be very itchy, particularly at night.

Dry, crusty, cracked and flaky skin patches

Over time, the patches may become dry, crusty, cracked and flaky. the centre of the patch also sometimes clears, leaving a ring of discoloured skin that can be mistaken for ringworm.

Discoid eczema causes circular or oval patches of eczema on the skin

You may just have one patch of discoid eczema, but most people get several patches. The skin between the patches is often dry.

Patches of discoid eczema can sometimes become infected.

Signs of an infection can include:

the patches oozing a lot of fluid
a yellow crust developing over the patches
the skin around the patches becoming red, hot, swollen, and tender or painful
feeling sick
chills
feeling unwell

When to get medical advice

See your pharmacist or GP if you think you may have discoid eczema so they can recommend a suitable treatment.

You should also seek medical advice if you think your skin may be infected. You may need treatment.

Your GP should be able to make a diagnosis just by examining the affected areas of skin. In some cases they may also ask questions or arrange some tests to rule out other conditions.

Your GP may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specialises in managing skin conditions) if they’re unsure of the diagnosis or if you need patch testing.

Causes of discoid eczema

The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it may occur as a result of having particularly dry skin.

Dry skin means your skin can’t provide an effective barrier against substances that come into contact with it. This could allow a previously harmless substance, such as soap, to irritate (damage) your skin.

It’s important to look carefully at all the chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries that may have come into contact with your skin. Contact dermatitis, a type of eczema caused by coming into contact with a particular irritant, may have a role in discoid eczema.

Some people with discoid eczema also have a history of atopic eczema, which often occurs in people who are prone to asthma and hay fever. However, unlike atopic eczema, discoid eczema doesn’t seem to run in families.

Other possible triggers

An outbreak of discoid eczema may sometimes be triggered by a minor skin injury, such as an insect bite or a burn.

Some medicines may also be associated with discoid eczema, as patches of eczema can appear in people taking:

interferon and ribavirin – when they’re used together to treat hepatitis C
tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers – used to treat some types of arthritis
statins (cholesterol-lowering medication) – which can cause dry skin and rashes

Dry environments and cold climates can make discoid eczema worse, and sunny or humid (damp) environments may make your symptoms better.

Treating discoid eczema

Discoid eczema is usually a long-term problem. But medications are available to help relieve the symptoms and keep the condition under control.

Without treatment, discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or even years. It may also keep recurring – often in the same area that was affected previously.

Treatments used include:

emollients – moisturisers applied to the skin to stop it becoming dry
topical corticosteroids – ointments and creams applied to the skin that can help relieve severe symptoms
antihistamines – medications that can reduce itching and help you sleep better

There are also things you can do yourself to help, such as avoiding all the irritating chemicals in soaps, detergents, bubble baths and shower gels.

Additional medication can be prescribed if your eczema is infected or particularly severe.

Occasionally, areas of skin affected by discoid eczema can be left permanently discoloured after the condition has cleared up.

Other types of eczema

Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin. Other types of eczema include:

atopic eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) – the most common type of eczema, it often runs in families and is linked to other conditions such as asthma and hay fever
contact dermatitis – a type of eczema that occurs when the body comes into contact with a particular substance
varicose eczema – a type of eczema that most often affects the lower legs and is caused by problems with the flow of blood through the leg veins

Discoid eczema

Help improve this page – send your feedback

When a Red Circle on Your Skin Is Not Ringworm

Health Conditions
- Featured
  - Breast Cancer
  - IBD
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Rheumatoid Arthritis
  - Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
  - Acid Reflux
  - ADHD
  - Allergies
  - Alzheimer’s & Dementia
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Cancer
  - Crohn’s Disease
  - Chronic Pain
  - Cold & Flu
  - COPD
  - Depression
  - Fibromyalgia
  - Heart Disease
  - High Cholesterol
  - HIV
  - Hypertension
  - IPF
  - Osteoarthritis
  - Psoriasis
  - Skin Disorders and Care
  - STDs
Discover
- Wellness Topics
  - Nutrition
  - Fitness
  - Skin Care
  - Sexual Health
  - Women’s Health
  - Mental Well-Being
  - Sleep
- Product Reviews
  - Vitamins & Supplements
  - Sleep
  - Mental Health
  - Nutrition
  - At-Home Testing
  - CBD
  - Men’s Health
- Original Series
  - Fresh Food Fast
  - Diagnosis Diaries
  - You’re Not Alone
  - Present Tense
- Video Series
  - Youth in Focus
  - Healthy Harvest
  - No More Silence
  - Future of Health
Plan
- Health Challenges
  - Mindful Eating
  - Sugar Savvy
  - Move Your Body
  - Gut Health
  - Mood Foods
  - Align Your Spine
- Find Care
  - Primary Care
  - Mental Health
  - OB-GYN
  - Dermatologists
  - Neurologists
  - Cardiologists
  - Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
  - Weight Management
  - Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
  - Are You a Workaholic?
  - How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
  - Health News
  - Find a Diet
  - Find Healthy Snacks
  - Drugs A-Z
  - Health A-Z
Connect
- - Breast Cancer
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  - Psoriatic Arthritis
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. D., MPH — By Scott Frothingham on April 18, 2019

The telltale signs of the fungal infection ringworm, include an area of the skin that may be:

red
itchy
scaly
bumpy
roughly circular

It may also have a slightly raised border. If the border of the patch slightly raises and extends outward, roughly forming a circle, it might resemble a worm or a snake.

Ringworm is actually caused by mold-like parasites — no actual worm is involved. If caught early it can be cleared with an antifungal cream or ointment. If it covers a large area of skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medicine.

These signs of ringworm can be different for different people and they’re similar to other conditions. So, if that red circle on your skin isn’t ringworm, what could it be?

Like ringworm, eczema is often first noticed as an itchy, red patch. Other symptoms may include:

dry skin
rough or scaly patches of skin
swelling
crusting or oozing

Unlike ringworm, there’s currently no cure for eczema. But symptoms can be managed with:

lifestyle changes
over-the-counter remedies
prescription topicals
immunosuppressants

Because it often looks like a ring of small skin-colored, pink or red bumps, granuloma annulare might be mistakenly identified as ringworm. The diameter of the rings can be up to 2 inches.

While ringworm is a fungal infection, it’s not clear was causes granuloma annulare.

It’s sometimes triggered by:

minor skin injuries
insect or animal bites
vaccinations
infections

Granuloma annulare is typically treated with:

corticosteroid creams or injections
oral medications, such as antibiotics or drugs to prevent immune system reactions
freezing with liquid nitrogen
light therapy

Psoriasis could be mistaken for ringworm because of the itchy red patches and scales that are symptoms of the condition.

Unlike ringworm, psoriasis is not a fungal infection, it’s a skin condition that accelerates the skin cell life cycle.

Psoriasis symptoms may include:

red patches with silvery scales
itching, soreness, or burning
cracked, dry skin

While ringworm can be cured with antifungal medication, there’s currently no cure for psoriasis. The symptoms of psoriasis can be addressed with a variety of treatments including:

topical steroids
vitamin D analogues
retinoids
calcineurin inhibitors
cyclosporine
light therapy

With its itchy, red rash, contact dermatitis might be confused with ringworm. Contact dermatitis occurs when your body reacts to a chemical, such as a skin care product or detergent.

Other symptoms might include:

dry, scaly, cracked skin
swelling or tenderness
bumps or blisters

Like ringworm, a key to treating contact dermatitis is avoidance. With ringworm, a contagious fungal infection, you avoid infected people, animals, and objects. With contact dermatitis you identify and avoid the substance that triggers the condition.

Treatment might include steroid ointments or creams and oral medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids.

A bullseye rash is a common sign of Lyme disease. Because of its circular appearance, it can be mistaken for ringworm.

Lyme disease is caused by a bite from a black-legged tick.

Other symptoms of Lyme disease may include flu-like symptoms and a spreading rash that’s itchy or painful.

It’s important to treat Lyme disease as soon as possible. Treatment commonly includes oral or intravenous antibiotics.

Pityriasis rosea typically starts with a round or oval, slightly raised, scaly patch on your chest, abdomen, or back. Because of its shape, the first patch (herald patch) might be erroneously thought to be ringworm. The herald patch is usually followed by smaller spots and itching.

Although the exact cause of pityriasis rosea hasn’t been determined, it’s thought to be triggered by a viral infection. Unlike ringworm, it’s not believed to be contagious.

Pityriasis rosea commonly goes away on its own in 10 weeks or less and is treated with nonprescription medications and remedies to relieve itching.

If the itching is unbearable or it doesn’t disappear in an appropriate amount of time, your doctor may prescribe:

antihistamines
antiviral drugs
corticosteroids

Although a circular or ring-like rash could be ringworm, it could also be a ringworm look alike.

If you notice a circular rash on yourself or a child, a visit to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis is often warranted. Your doctor might refer you to a dermatologist. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a dermatologist.

If, following the doctor’s visit, the rash doesn’t clear up as expected, update your doctor to see if you need a new diagnosis. Many skin conditions have similar appearances and symptoms, so the original diagnosis may have been inaccurate.

Last medically reviewed on April 18, 2019

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

About psoriasis. (2018).
psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis
Contact dermatitis. (n.d.).
aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/contact-dermatitis
Eczema treatment. (n.d.).
nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/
Lyme disease: Treatment. (2018).
cdc.gov/lyme/treatment/index.html
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Pityriasis rosea.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pityriasis-rosea/symptoms-causes/syc-20376405
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Granuloma annulare.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/granuloma-annulare/symptoms-causes/syc-20351319
Ringworm. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/ringworm
Signs of Lyme disease that appear on your skin. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/rashes/lyme-disease
What is eczema? (n.d.).
nationaleczema.org/eczema/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — By Scott Frothingham on April 18, 2019

Plaques on the skin – causes, what diseases it occurs in, diagnosis and methods of treatment

INVITRO
Library
org/ListItem”> Symptoms
Fungus
Allergy
Psoriasis
Keratoma
Mycosis
Nevus
Melanoma
7689
November 16
Plaques on the skin: the causes of occurrence, in what diseases they occur, diagnosis and methods of treatment.
Definition

A plaque is a pathological element with clear edges that rises above the skin surface or merges with it, more than 5 mm in size.
In dermatology, many types of plaques are distinguished – about 70 diseases occur with the formation of these elements, which makes the plaque one of the most common rashes.
Varieties of plaques

The shape of the plaques are round, oval and irregular in shape. Over time, the shape, surface and appearance of this element may change.
Due to the occurrence of plaques, they can be both a manifestation of skin diseases and a symptom of diseases of internal organs and systems (autoimmune reactions, liver diseases, oncological processes, allergic reactions).
Plaques are dry, smooth, red, brown, gray-white, etc.
Possible causes of plaques
Dry plaques on the skin in adults can be a manifestation of the following diseases:
1. Fungal infection of the skin, accompanied by plaques with severe itching.
2. Allergic reactions are characterized by the appearance on the skin of smooth dry plaques, pink spots, blisters, which are very itchy and cause severe discomfort. They can develop both when the skin comes into contact with the allergen, and when it gets on the mucous membranes (for example, with urticaria, hay fever, food and contact allergies).
3. Psoriasis is a chronic non-infectious skin disease in which scaly dry plaques form on the elbows, knees, scalp, prone to fusion and accompanied by mild itching.
1. Dry plaques form on the skin if it is exposed to stress for a long time with the loss of its protective functions.
2. Diseases of the digestive tract, accompanied by malabsorption syndrome (impaired absorption of vitamins and trace elements in the small intestine), chronic diseases of the liver and other organs, in which substances that are not normally present in the dermis accumulate, also lead to the appearance of dry plaques.
3. Solar keratoma is a precancerous condition, which is characterized by the presence of many light grayish plaques on the skin.
The appearance of red plaques on the skin indicates their good blood supply. Possible causes of this condition may be the following nosologies:
1. Drug toxidermia is an allergic reaction accompanied by the appearance of elements in the form of plaques on the skin. In severe cases, Lyell’s syndrome or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, may develop.
1. Dühring’s dermatitis (herpetiform) is a chronic skin disease with no established etiology, which is characterized by recurrent appearance of a rash of various morphologies on the skin, accompanied by severe skin itching and burning.
2. Mycosis fungoides is a primary T-cell lymphoma of the skin, a malignant lymphoid lesion, primarily of the skin. Itchy red plaques appear on the skin, resembling eczema. In the initial stages, they respond well to treatment with hormonal ointments, but the disease itself requires more complex therapy.
1. In children, the appearance of red spots and plaques on the skin is most often associated with an allergic reaction to food.
Brown plaques occur when melanin is deposited in the affected area of the dermis, which causes a brown (dark) color. Possible causes may be the following diseases:
1. Becker’s nevus – an anomaly in the development of the dermis, when dark plaques with an uneven surface appear on the skin, on which hair can begin to grow over time.
2. Pigmentary nevus – “birthmark”, may rise above the skin, has a brown or dark color.
3. Melanoma is the most malignant skin tumor characterized by rapid metastasis. It develops mainly from nevi and moles. If the nature of the surface, the boundaries of the mole change, its size increases, bleeding occurs, you should immediately contact a dermatologist or oncologist to exclude the development of melanoma.
4. Basal cell skin cancer is more often localized on the head, face, neck, does not metastasize, is characterized by slow growth.
5. Senile keratoma occurs in elderly people, most likely due to a lack of vitamins, an abundance of animal fats consumed, skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation due to a violation of its protective functions. Typical localization – face, neck, open areas of the body.
6. Seborrheic keratoma is a yellowish plaque on the skin that, over time, transforms into a dark brown growth that tends to peel, itch, crack, bleed, and can serve as an entryway for infection.
Which doctors to contact
With the formation of plaques on the skin, it is necessary to contact a dermatologist to determine the causes of the appearance of this element of the rash.
Diagnosis and testing for plaques

For the diagnosis of fungal skin lesions, scraping from the affected area is used for subsequent microscopic examination.
The development of an allergic reaction requires seeking medical help to identify the allergen, prescribing antihistamines, and sometimes hormonal drugs. In clinical cases of allergy, along with skin tests, analyzes are performed using various sets of common allergens and triggers: a panel for respiratory allergens, for food allergens, and for a combination of both.
RUB 10,490
Add to cart
RUB 11,890
Add to cart
5 515 RUB
Add to cart
In psoriasis, seeing a dermatologist and a rheumatologist can help reduce the symptoms of the disease if appropriate therapy is prescribed. For the diagnosis, it is usually sufficient to examine, determine, the skin manifestations of psoriasis are so characteristic, but if necessary, a differential diagnosis is carried out, including a clinical blood test, feces for the presence of worm eggs and protozoa, and a histological examination of the skin.
Clinical blood test: general analysis, leukoformula, ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in the presence of pathological changes)
Synonyms: Complete blood count, UAC. Full blood count, FBC, Complete blood count (CBC) with differential white blood cell count (CBC with diff), Hemogram.
Brief description of the study CBC: general a…
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
RUB 810
Add to cart
Fecal analysis for helminth eggs (helminth eggs)
There are restrictions on the days of taking samples in medical offices and receiving samples self-collected for this study (feces, urine, etc. ).
We recommend that you check the details…
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
RUB 570
Add to cart
Protozoa stool test (PRO stool)
There are restrictions on the days of taking samples in medical offices and receiving samples self-collected for this study (feces, urine, etc.).
We recommend that you check the details…
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
RUB 570
Add to cart
Histological examination of biopsy material and material obtained during surgical interventions (endoscopic material; tissues of the female reproductive system; skin, soft tissues; hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue; bone and cartilage tissue)
Taking biomaterial is paid separately.
According to the requirements of paragraph 17 of the Rules for conducting pathological and anatomical studies, approved. Order of the Ministry of Health Ro…
Up to 5 business days
Available with house call
2 880 RUB
Add to cart
Diseases of the stomach and intestines can also lead to plaque formation on the skin. To identify the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, it is enough to refer to
therapist or
gastroenterologist, conduct
a number of endoscopic examinations (gastroscopy, and, if necessary, colonoscopy), ultrasound of the abdominal organs, perform some screening blood tests for diseases of the liver, intestines, stomach.
Gastroscopy
Examination of the mucous membrane of the upper gastrointestinal tract with the possibility of performing a biopsy or endoscopic removal of small pathological. ..
4 490 rubles
Sign up
Colonoscopy
Endoscopic examination of the large intestine to look for abnormalities, perform biopsies, and remove small polyps and tumors.
RUB 6,390
Sign up
Comprehensive ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen)
Scanning of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity to assess its functional state and the presence of pathology.
RUB 3,090
Sign up
Liver function tests: screening
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
RUB 1,935
Add to cart
Diagnosis of celiac disease: intolerance to cereal protein (gluten)
Up to 8 working days
Available with house call
7 520 RUB
Add to cart
Gastropanel
Up to 10 business days
Available with house call
RUB 4,760
Add to cart
To clarify the diagnosis of keratoma, a skin biopsy is performed and an epithelium scraping is performed, followed by microscopic and histochemical examination.
Histological examination of biopsy material and material obtained during surgical interventions (endoscopic material; tissues of the female reproductive system; skin, soft tissues; hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue; bone and cartilage tissue)
Taking biomaterial is paid separately.
According to the requirements of paragraph 17 of the Rules for conducting pathological and anatomical studies, approved. Order of the Ministry of Health Ro…
Up to 5 business days
Available with house call
2 880 RUB
Add to cart
Examination of scrapings and impressions of tumors and tumor-like formations
Material for research. Imprints and scrapings are obtained from pathological lesions of the skin and mucous membranes (except for the cervix and cervical canal). Relative to test…
Up to 2 business days
Available with house call
RUB 1,030
Add to cart
If atypical cells are detected in scrapings or biopsies, immediately contact
oncologist.
If xanthomas appear on the skin, it is recommended to consult a cardiologist, take blood tests for lipid profile and blood glucose levels, and screen for diabetes mellitus.
Lipid profile screening
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
1 355 RUB
Add to cart
Glucose (in the blood) (Glucose)
Research material
Serum or blood plasma. If it is not possible to centrifuge the sample 30 minutes after collection for serum/plasma separation…
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
335 RUB
Add to cart
Diabetes management: advanced
Up to 1 working day
Available with house call
RUB 5 820
Add to cart
What should I do if plaques appear on the skin?

Any newly appeared neoplasms should be shown to a dermatologist. Their cosmetic removal without prior consultation with a specialist is fraught with serious consequences.
In addition, there are symptoms that require immediate medical attention:
- change in the shape of the plaque – the edges have become uneven;
- change in the surface of the plaque – cracks, ulcerations appeared;
- change in the size of the plaque – it began to grow rapidly above the surface of the skin or actively spread through it;
- discoloration of the plaque – in cases of malignancy, an uneven color of the formation is usually observed with areas of darker and lighter shades;
- the appearance of bleeding – both contact and spontaneous;
- enlargement of regional (nearby) lymph nodes.
Plaque treatment

When plaques of an allergic nature appear on the skin, antihistamines are prescribed, in cases of a severe course of the disease, glucocorticosteroids. In addition, it is important to follow a hypoallergenic diet.
Mycotic plaques require antifungal drugs, both local (ointments, creams) and systemic (tablets). Taking these drugs is associated with a high risk of side effects, and therefore it is possible only after consulting a doctor, accurate verification of the diagnosis and confirmation of the etiology of the disease.
Treatment of psoriasis is multi-stage and complex, it involves constant monitoring by a rheumatologist, taking cytostatics and other drugs, using ointments and shampoos to improve skin condition, using antihistamines to reduce itching, including physiotherapy and a hypoallergenic diet in the treatment regimen.
When confirming the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, properly selected therapy can stop the appearance of new plaques on the skin, as well as prevent the development of complications of the underlying disease.
Sources:
1. Clinical guidelines. Dermatitis herpetiformis // Russian Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists. 2016.
2. Clinical guidelines. Urticaria in children // Union of Pediatricians of Russia; Russian Association of Allergists and Clinical Immunologists. 2018.
3. Clinical guidelines. Toxidermia // Russian Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists. 2016.
4. Clinical guidelines. Familial hypercholesterolemia // National Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis. 2018.
IMPORTANT!
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes over time, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.
Recommendations
- Hypervitaminosis A
  151
  June 18
- Narrow basin
  30863
  12 June
- Increased thirst
  269
  May 18
Show more
Allergy
Fungus
Sulfur plug
Mastoiditis
Tympanic membrane rupture
Otomycosis
Ear discharge or otorrhea
90 012 Discharge from the ear: causes, what diseases occur, diagnosis and treatment.
More
Fungus
Allergy
Menopause
Hyperkeratosis
Intoxication
Demodicosis
Pimples on the face
9001 2 Pimples on the face: the causes of the appearance, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.
More
Fungus
Cystitis
Thrush
Colpitis
Flakes in the urine
Flakes in the urine: causes, what diseases occur, diagnosis and methods of treatment.
More
Allergy
Iron deficiency
Fungus
Neurodermatitis
Seborrhea
Eczema
Colic
Urticaria
Erythema
Diathesis
Diathesis: causes, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and treatment methods.
More
Gastritis
Iron deficiency
Allergy
Botulinum toxin
UV rays
Expression wrinkles
Expression wrinkles: causes, diseases, diagnosis and treatments
More
Nothing found
Try editing your query or select a doctor or service from the list.
Doctor not found
Try changing your query or select
doctor from the list
Medical office not found
Try changing your query or select
medical office from the list
Therapist
Traumatologist-orthopedist
Endocrinologist
Urologist
Gynecologist
Ultrasound doctor
Cardiologist
Pediatrician
Nothing found
Try changing your request
Thank you!
You have successfully made an appointment
Detailed information has been sent to your e-mail
Dry spots on the skin: three common dermatological diseases
July 5, 2020
Dry spots on the skin are a common dermatological symptom that can indicate both a temporary failure and a violation of the barrier functions of the epidermis, and a skin disease. It all depends on the size of the spots, the clarity of their boundaries, as well as the duration of their presence on the skin.
The causes of dryness can be divided into two large groups:
- non-specific – allergic reactions to household chemicals, laundry soap, cosmetic products, dehydration due to cold and wind;
- specific – then the spots become a manifestation of dermatological diseases.
Sometimes a person may notice that dry spots appear on his skin after a certain event occurs, for example, after washing clothes with his hands. Then the reason is obvious and easy to eliminate. But if dry spots on the skin do not go away, itch, peel off, you should consult a doctor.
Dry spots with scales
Pink raised dry spots on the body and head may indicate psoriasis. With this dermatological pathology in humans, raised plaques appear on the skin – psoriatic papules. They protrude above the surface of the skin, cause intense itching and flake, tend to spread and merge.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which rashes are most often localized on the elbows, head, knees and groin. Dry pink spots covered with white scales are foci of chronic inflammation. Under the influence of internal autoimmune processes, epidermal cells divide several times faster than necessary. As a result, small scales are constantly separated from dying skin cells.
Atopic dermatitis and its difference from psoriasis
Atopic dermatitis can also cause dry patches on the body. And as with psoriasis, they cause itching. Due to the increased sensitivity of the skin to environmental factors, the mechanisms of its self-regulation are violated, including the barrier function. That is, an allergy is a trigger for atopic dermatitis, but the tendency to such a skin reaction is genetically laid down.
Most often, atopic dermatitis occurs in children. The disease has a chronic course, when exacerbations are replaced by periods of remission. Here are the typical signs of atopic dermatitis:
- dry skin;
- peeling and redness of the eyelids;
- dry skin-colored plaques on the trunk and extensor areas of the body;
- cracks.
It is difficult for a person who does not have a medical education to distinguish psoriasis from atopic dermatitis, but a doctor can easily make a differential diagnosis. There are several differences that may speak in favor of a particular pathology. Atopic dermatitis often affects children, psoriasis can debut in adulthood. Psoriatic plaques are raised above the skin, and scales can be seen. Dry spots in atopic dermatitis are flat. It is also important to consider typical localization.
Useful links: State Center of Urology in Moscow – Clinic of Urology named after R. M. Fronshtein of the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov
Dry eczema
Sometimes white, dry, scaly patches on the skin of the legs can indicate dry eczema. With this disease, dryness and tightness of the skin first occurs, then peeling and unbearable itching join, cracks may occur. In addition to the legs, the hands, the space between the fingers, and even the face are often affected.