Eczema inside the elbows: Pictures, types, and more

Eczema in and on the elbow often appears as an itchy, uncomfortable rash. Doctors refer to eczema inside the elbow as flexural eczema since it occurs inside the elbow curve or other joints.

Eczema is a medical term for skin conditions that cause itchy, irritated, and discolored skin. The most common form that affects the elbows is atopic dermatitis.

This article reviews the types of eczema found on the elbows, symptoms, possible complications, causes, treatments, management, prevention, and when to see a doctor.

Flexural eczema is most common in late childhood or adulthood. There are 7 types of eczema affecting over 31 million Americans. However, not every type is likely to affect the elbows.

The types of eczema most likely to affect the inside of the elbows include:

• Atopic dermatitis: This is the most common form. It causes dryness, inflammation, and itchy skin on the insides of the elbows and other areas of the body.
• Contact dermatitis: Doctors also call this type allergic contact dermatitis, which develops inside the elbow or elsewhere when a person comes into contact with an environmental trigger or allergen.
• Dyshidrotic eczema: Dyshidrotic eczema causes a burning sensation and dry skin in rashes and blisters.
• Neurodermatitis: This form affects small patches of skin on the insides of elbows and other body parts, making them itchy and scaly.

The three other types that will most likely not appear on the elbows include the following:

• seborrheic dermatitis, which affects the scalp
• stasis dermatitis, which causes discoloration on the legs
• nummular eczema, which causes small, round lesions anywhere on the body but often affects the arms and legs

Eczema causes the skin to become itchy, inflamed, and uncomfortable. In people with lighter skin, it can make the affected area appear red. The affected area may appear gray, brown, or purple in people with darker skin.

Learn more about eczema on darker skin.

Eczema often starts as itchy skin. As a person scratches at it, a rash will often form.

The condition appears around the joints and other areas where skin folds or creases. A person may also notice that symptoms come and go.

Eczema symptoms can range in severity from mild to severe. The symptoms a person experiences can vary, but the most common symptom is itchy skin. In fact, about 85% of people with atopic dermatitis experience itchy skin daily.

Other common symptoms of eczema on the inside of the elbows can include the following:

• sore or painful skin
• changes in the color of skin — redness in lighter skin tones or purple, brown, or gray discoloration in darker skin tones
• thickened skin
• oozing or weeping
• swollen or inflamed skin

When left untreated, eczema inside the elbow can lead to other health issues. These can include:

• trouble sleeping due to itchy or uncomfortable skin on the arms
• increased risk of infection due to open skin inside the elbow
• higher likelihood of developing:
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • feelings of social isolation

The exact cause of eczema remains unknown. Experts know it occurs due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to a chemical.

They believe that exposure to an irritant causes the immune system to overreact, creating inflammation. Inflammation is responsible for a majority of a person’s symptoms.

When eczema begins between the age of 2 and puberty, children have an increased chance of developing eczema in the creases of the elbows or other joints.

People with hay fever or asthma, or who have family members with one or both conditions, have a higher likelihood of developing eczema.

Treatment depends on a doctor properly diagnosing eczema inside the elbows. It can appear similar to psoriasis, allergic reactions, and other skin conditions. Getting the correct diagnosis can help a person get the right treatment faster.

Treatment typically involves managing flares. More specifically, a dermatologist or other medical professional will likely recommend treatments to help with the following:

• prevent worsening symptoms or disease progression
• reduce flare-ups
• ease symptoms
• help keep the skin moist
• decrease the risk of complications, such as thickening skin or infection

Eczema treatment plans

A dermatologist will likely develop a plan for an adult or child that includes the following:

• skin care, which may include warm baths and keeping the skin around the elbow moisturized
• applying topical medications and creams, such as a corticosteroid or coal tar, directly to the inside of the elbow
• phototherapy
• systemic medications, such as:
  • azathioprine, an oral medication
  • cyclosporine, an oral or injectable medication
  • methotrexate, an oral or injectable medication
  • mycophenolate mofetil

Both children and adults can use topical medications and immune-suppressing medications. However, parents or guardians should discuss their use with a doctor before introducing new medications to their children.

In most cases, an adult or child can manage their symptoms with at-home therapies, over-the-counter topical creams, and lifestyle changes.

Some suggestions for managing eczema that appears around the elbows include:

• applying a thick layer of fragrance-free, mild moisturizer to the skin daily
• using topical medicated creams according to a doctor’s recommendations
• taking baths in lukewarm water for 5–20 minutes and applying moisturizer after, or taking short showers
• managing triggers of flares by taking steps to both learn what they are and avoid them
• using fragrance- and dye-free gentle skin care products
• wearing loose-fitting clothing
• testing new products before use by applying a small amount to a single area of skin for 7–10 days

Preventing eczema from starting is not necessarily possible. However, an adult or child can take steps to help reduce the severity and frequency of flares of eczema around the elbows or other areas of the body.

These steps include:

• using fragrance- and dye-free detergents for laundry
• choosing clothes with fabrics that do not irritate the skin or trigger a flare
• following all treatment recommendations from a dermatologist or other healthcare professional
• learning what triggers affect the person the most and avoiding them as best as possible
• trying new products, including clothes and soaps, on a small patch of skin before regular use
• using appropriate protection from the sun and cold temperatures

Parents of infants may want to have their baby examined if they show signs of itchiness, which can include:

• rubbing against bedding or carpet due to excessive itching
• the development of a rash
• an open wound

An adult who develops an itchy rash that does not disappear within a few days should consider talking with a doctor.

When seeing a doctor, whether for themselves or for a child or person they act as a caregiver for, an individual should be prepared to discuss:

• medical history
• family medical histories, such as a relative having asthma or hay fever
• where and how the rash developed
• symptoms associated with it

Eczema often appears around the creases in the body, including the elbows. Though there are several forms of eczema, the most common is atopic dermatitis, which causes itchy, inflamed rashes to appear on the skin.

Both children and adults can develop eczema inside their elbows or on other areas of the body. Treatment typically involves managing symptoms and preventing flares. Examples include topical medications, moisturizers, avoiding triggers, and systemic medications in some cases.

A person should work with a dermatologist to help develop a treatment plan that will work for them.

Eczema inside the elbows: Pictures, types, and more

Eczema in and on the elbow often appears as an itchy, uncomfortable rash. Doctors refer to eczema inside the elbow as flexural eczema since it occurs inside the elbow curve or other joints.

Eczema is a medical term for skin conditions that cause itchy, irritated, and discolored skin. The most common form that affects the elbows is atopic dermatitis.

This article reviews the types of eczema found on the elbows, symptoms, possible complications, causes, treatments, management, prevention, and when to see a doctor.

Flexural eczema is most common in late childhood or adulthood. There are 7 types of eczema affecting over 31 million Americans. However, not every type is likely to affect the elbows.

The types of eczema most likely to affect the inside of the elbows include:

• Atopic dermatitis: This is the most common form. It causes dryness, inflammation, and itchy skin on the insides of the elbows and other areas of the body.
• Contact dermatitis: Doctors also call this type allergic contact dermatitis, which develops inside the elbow or elsewhere when a person comes into contact with an environmental trigger or allergen.
• Dyshidrotic eczema: Dyshidrotic eczema causes a burning sensation and dry skin in rashes and blisters.
• Neurodermatitis: This form affects small patches of skin on the insides of elbows and other body parts, making them itchy and scaly.

The three other types that will most likely not appear on the elbows include the following:

• seborrheic dermatitis, which affects the scalp
• stasis dermatitis, which causes discoloration on the legs
• nummular eczema, which causes small, round lesions anywhere on the body but often affects the arms and legs

Eczema causes the skin to become itchy, inflamed, and uncomfortable. In people with lighter skin, it can make the affected area appear red. The affected area may appear gray, brown, or purple in people with darker skin.

Learn more about eczema on darker skin.

Eczema often starts as itchy skin. As a person scratches at it, a rash will often form.

The condition appears around the joints and other areas where skin folds or creases. A person may also notice that symptoms come and go.

Eczema symptoms can range in severity from mild to severe. The symptoms a person experiences can vary, but the most common symptom is itchy skin. In fact, about 85% of people with atopic dermatitis experience itchy skin daily.

Other common symptoms of eczema on the inside of the elbows can include the following:

• sore or painful skin
• changes in the color of skin — redness in lighter skin tones or purple, brown, or gray discoloration in darker skin tones
• thickened skin
• oozing or weeping
• swollen or inflamed skin

When left untreated, eczema inside the elbow can lead to other health issues. These can include:

• trouble sleeping due to itchy or uncomfortable skin on the arms
• increased risk of infection due to open skin inside the elbow
• higher likelihood of developing:
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • feelings of social isolation

The exact cause of eczema remains unknown. Experts know it occurs due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to a chemical.

They believe that exposure to an irritant causes the immune system to overreact, creating inflammation. Inflammation is responsible for a majority of a person’s symptoms.

When eczema begins between the age of 2 and puberty, children have an increased chance of developing eczema in the creases of the elbows or other joints.

People with hay fever or asthma, or who have family members with one or both conditions, have a higher likelihood of developing eczema.

Treatment depends on a doctor properly diagnosing eczema inside the elbows. It can appear similar to psoriasis, allergic reactions, and other skin conditions. Getting the correct diagnosis can help a person get the right treatment faster.

Treatment typically involves managing flares. More specifically, a dermatologist or other medical professional will likely recommend treatments to help with the following:

• prevent worsening symptoms or disease progression
• reduce flare-ups
• ease symptoms
• help keep the skin moist
• decrease the risk of complications, such as thickening skin or infection

Eczema treatment plans

A dermatologist will likely develop a plan for an adult or child that includes the following:

• skin care, which may include warm baths and keeping the skin around the elbow moisturized
• applying topical medications and creams, such as a corticosteroid or coal tar, directly to the inside of the elbow
• phototherapy
• systemic medications, such as:
  • azathioprine, an oral medication
  • cyclosporine, an oral or injectable medication
  • methotrexate, an oral or injectable medication
  • mycophenolate mofetil

Both children and adults can use topical medications and immune-suppressing medications. However, parents or guardians should discuss their use with a doctor before introducing new medications to their children.

In most cases, an adult or child can manage their symptoms with at-home therapies, over-the-counter topical creams, and lifestyle changes.

Some suggestions for managing eczema that appears around the elbows include:

• applying a thick layer of fragrance-free, mild moisturizer to the skin daily
• using topical medicated creams according to a doctor’s recommendations
• taking baths in lukewarm water for 5–20 minutes and applying moisturizer after, or taking short showers
• managing triggers of flares by taking steps to both learn what they are and avoid them
• using fragrance- and dye-free gentle skin care products
• wearing loose-fitting clothing
• testing new products before use by applying a small amount to a single area of skin for 7–10 days

Preventing eczema from starting is not necessarily possible. However, an adult or child can take steps to help reduce the severity and frequency of flares of eczema around the elbows or other areas of the body.

These steps include:

• using fragrance- and dye-free detergents for laundry
• choosing clothes with fabrics that do not irritate the skin or trigger a flare
• following all treatment recommendations from a dermatologist or other healthcare professional
• learning what triggers affect the person the most and avoiding them as best as possible
• trying new products, including clothes and soaps, on a small patch of skin before regular use
• using appropriate protection from the sun and cold temperatures

Parents of infants may want to have their baby examined if they show signs of itchiness, which can include:

• rubbing against bedding or carpet due to excessive itching
• the development of a rash
• an open wound

An adult who develops an itchy rash that does not disappear within a few days should consider talking with a doctor.

When seeing a doctor, whether for themselves or for a child or person they act as a caregiver for, an individual should be prepared to discuss:

• medical history
• family medical histories, such as a relative having asthma or hay fever
• where and how the rash developed
• symptoms associated with it

Eczema often appears around the creases in the body, including the elbows. Though there are several forms of eczema, the most common is atopic dermatitis, which causes itchy, inflamed rashes to appear on the skin.

Both children and adults can develop eczema inside their elbows or on other areas of the body. Treatment typically involves managing symptoms and preventing flares. Examples include topical medications, moisturizers, avoiding triggers, and systemic medications in some cases.

A person should work with a dermatologist to help develop a treatment plan that will work for them.

Eczema on the elbows – effective treatment, causes and symptoms of the disease

Author : Ilya Illarionovich Grachev
Editor : Larisa Vladimirovna Demidovich

Publication date: 03/09/2019
Update date: 07/10/2022

Contents

• Causes of eczema on the elbows
• The main types of eczema of the elbow and the first signs
  • True eczema
  • Microbial eczema
  • Occupational eczema
• Stages of eczema on elbows
• Treatments for eczema on the elbows
  • Medical therapy
• Treatment of eczema on the elbows at Paramita Clinic

Rashes on the skin in the area of ​​the elbow joints are one of the characteristic manifestations of eczema. After the treatment, they disappear, and then reappear after stress or diet violations. Eczema on the elbows requires timely treatment, otherwise the rash will spread to other parts of the body and the course will become uncontrollable. It is very important to contact a specialist in time, who will prescribe treatment and prevent the spread of the pathological process. Specialists of the Moscow clinic Paramita know how to do it.

Causes of eczema on the elbows

Eczema is an allergic disease with acute, subacute or chronic course. Its main manifestations are a variety of skin rashes of an inflammatory nature, accompanied by severe itching and burning. The name of the disease comes from the Greek word ekzeo – I boil, since the most common elements of the rash are vesicles with transparent contents.

Eczema on the elbows is based on different causes, therefore, the treatment must be selected individually. The main role is played by hereditary predisposition, expressed in the peculiarities of the work of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. This leads to an increase in the body’s sensitivity to the effects of various external and internal triggering factors – triggers. As a result, an allergic reaction develops in the form of skin inflammation.

External (exogenous) causes

• prolonged mechanical impact – skin irritation;
• exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• exposure to chemicals – household chemicals, chemical and biological substances at work;
• allergenic creams, body care gels;
• insect bites;
• wearing of synthetic fabrics;
• fungal and bacterial skin infections;
• open skin injuries;
• medicinal preparations;
• food allergens;
• animal hair.

Internal (endogenous) causes

• toxins and antibodies formed against the background of chronic diseases and foci of infection;
• especially often the cause is hormonal disruptions, diabetes and diseases of the digestive system.

The main types of eczema of the elbow and the first signs

Eczema on the elbows can be true, microbial or occupational. Each type has its own manifestations and forms.

True eczema

The disease can manifest itself in the form of symmetrical rashes on the back of the elbows. The onset is acute, often without apparent cause, and is therefore called idiopathic (with no known cause). The course quickly becomes subacute and chronic.

First, on the back surface of the skin of the hands in the area of ​​​​the elbow joints, an area of ​​reddened, edematous, itchy skin appears. Then a blistering rash appears on it. The bubbles burst, small point erosions appear with drops of serous substance on the surface (serous wells), the surface becomes wet, the development of weeping eczema begins.

After some time, the acute inflammatory process subsides, part of the affected area is covered with crusts, adjacent to the bubbles and erosions. Then wetting stops, the skin becomes covered with crusts, begins to peel off. The transition to the subacute and chronic phase is accompanied by thickening of the skin with a simultaneous increase in its pattern – lichenification. The affected parts become bluish in color, bubbles periodically appear on them, which indicates an aggravation of the process. The course can be complicated by the addition of a purulent infection.

One form of true eczema on the elbows is pruriginous eczema. It is characterized by thickening of the skin in the elbow area, the appearance of small papules and vesicles (vesicles) on its surface, which do not open and do not form crusts. This form of the disease is initially chronic, often relapsing, accompanied by lichenification and severe itching.

Microbial eczema

The disease develops against the background of bacterial (streptococcal) or fungal skin lesions, wounds, cracks, etc. Allergic and autoimmune (allergy to own tissues) join the infectious process. As a result, the course takes on a long relapsing character. Microbial eczema on the elbows is initially located asymmetrically, but over time, similar manifestations appear on symmetrical parts of the body. May take the following forms:

1. Coin-like (nummular) . It manifests itself in the form of round or oval lesions, on the reddened edematous surface of which papules, vesicles, weeping and crusts appear – all symptoms characteristic of true eczema.
2. Paratraumatic . This form can affect the edges of wounds, burns and cracks in the skin of the elbows. It is acute, with weeping and severe itching. In the absence of proper therapy, the course becomes chronic.

Red spots on the skin after stress

Diagnosis of skin diseases

Occupational eczema

The professional form develops with constant contact of the affected skin with substances that cause allergies. It proceeds in the same way as the true one, symmetrical parts of the body are affected. It develops in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Often, after the action of the allergen is eliminated, all symptoms disappear. But sometimes relapses develop and the disease becomes chronic.

Stages of eczema on the elbows

The disease can occur in the following stages:

• Acute . It is subdivided into:
  1. erythematous – redness and swelling of the affected area of ​​the skin;
  2. papular – the appearance of papular rashes;
  3. vesicular – the appearance of vesicles on the surface of papules;
  4. weeping – the formation of erosion and the release of serous fluid;
  5. crusty – drying of vesicles and covering them with crusts.
• Subacute – the skin thickens, the pattern intensifies, peeling appears.
• Chronic – the skin becomes cyanotic, lichenified, flaky, age spots appear. Periodically developing relapses are characterized by the appearance of a small number of bubbles.

Treatments for eczema on the elbows

Treatment of eczema on the elbows is carried out after a comprehensive examination of the patient, identifying and eliminating the causes of the disease. Only after that, an individually selected complex therapy is prescribed, which includes:

• diet;
• drug therapy;
• modern European and traditional oriental techniques;
• folk methods.

Medical therapy

How to treat eczema on elbows? With this disease, experts prescribe:

• 2nd generation antihistamines (Claritin, Levocetirizine) injectable or oral preparations to relieve inflammation and itching; if itching is especially disturbing at night, it should be treated with 1st generation drugs (Suprastin, Tavegil), which have not only an antipruritic, but also a hypnotic effect;
• external anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents – brilliant green, fukortsin, an aqueous solution of methylene blue, chlorhexidine, miramistin;
• in acute course – solutions, creams, ointments with corticosteroids.

Treatment of eczema on the elbows at Paramita Clinic

Our clinic specializes in patients suffering from chronic skin diseases. Doctors were trained in the world’s best medical centers. They own:

• all types of drug therapy;
• modern western therapeutic methods;
• with traditional oriental techniques – all of them were trained in these methods in China and Tibet.

Distinctive features of the clinic are an individual approach to the treatment of each patient, comfortable conditions and friendly attitude of the staff. Clinic specialists relieve patients of eczema on the elbows for a long time. And with regular maintenance treatment, patients forget about their illness forever.

Plasma therapy in our clinic

To completely eliminate the causes and symptoms of eczema, we use not only creams, ointments and tablets, but also modern European and traditional oriental methods:

• PRP therapy is a method that allows you to activate the body’s defenses. Based on the ability of platelets to restore damaged tissues. The patient is injected with his own blood plasma enriched with platelets.
• Autohemotherapy – stimulation of immunity by intramuscular injection of blood taken from the patient’s vein;
• Reflexology:
  • acupuncture – needles are inserted into special acupuncture points (AT) on the patient’s body;
  • moxibustion – warming up AT with wormwood cigarettes;
  • point massage.
• Phytotherapy – prescription of herbal medicines; selection of drugs is carried out individually.

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What to do in case of exacerbation?

If the disease worsens, you should consult a doctor. Exacerbation is characterized by severe swelling of the skin and itching. At the same time, the skin can be both pronounced weeping and, conversely, dryness. This requires a different approach to prescribing medical procedures, so it’s better not to take risks by not self-medicating, but to put yourself in the hands of a specialist.

Use of folk remedies at home

Treat eczema at home only after consulting a doctor. There are many folk methods for the treatment of this disease. With pronounced weeping, applications can be made with a cold decoction of oak bark.

• take 4 tablespoons of bark, add hot water, simmer for 15 minutes over low heat, cool, strain, add boiled water to the original level;
• place the decoction in the refrigerator and make daily applications by applying a cloth moistened with the decoction to the affected areas of the skin.

For dry eczema, you can apply a cut aloe leaf (on the inside) to the elbows – this softens the skin well and relieves itching.

Prevention of eczema on the elbows

Persons suffering from eczema or having close relatives with this disease should observe the following rules to prevent recurrence:

• diet;
• avoid prolonged stress and high loads;
• timely treat chronic diseases and foci of infection;
• refuse to wear clothes made of synthetic fabrics;
• do not overheat or get cold, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun;
• avoid contact with possible allergens;
• hygiene procedures should be carried out using hypoallergenic gels and shampoos; wash clothes – using neutral detergents.

Diet for elbow eczema

The following should be excluded from the patient’s diet:

1. strong broths, hot spices, milk, mayonnaise, eggs, poultry, seafood, oily fish;
2. legumes, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, onions raw garlic, radishes, citrus fruits, nuts;
3. carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee, cocoa, chocolate.

Sweets and confectionery should also be limited. It is recommended to avoid stress and high neuropsychic stress.

Atopic dermatitis in children – causes, symptoms and treatment in the “SM-Clinic” for children and adolescents

The clinical picture in atopic dermatitis is due to the formation of a large number of foci of inflammation in different parts of the skin. In this regard, the main manifestation of the disease is itching, which interferes with sleep, worsens general well-being, and leads to constant irritability of the child.

Eruptions form at the site of local inflammation. They may have a different appearance depending on the stage of the disease:

• In the acute phase, the elements are bright red. Due to the influx of additional blood into the area of ​​​​inflammation, local edema is formed. Scales, plaques may be present. On palpation, the skin elements are moist.
• In the phase of incomplete remission, the rash is flesh-colored, dry, and may flake off. The appearance of new elements is often caused by skin rubbing against clothing.

The localization of skin rashes differs depending on the age of the child. In infants, they often occur in the head (its scalp), neck and chest. A favorite place for new rashes are the extensor surfaces of the joints.

Additional symptoms of atopic dermatitis in children are:

• dryness and flaking of the skin;
• formation of painful fissures, especially on the extensor surface of the arms and legs;
• increased discomfort at night;
• skin hyperpigmentation;
• the appearance of dry plaques and scaly spots in places of the most active rashes.

As a rule, the symptoms of AD appear brighter in the cold season and significantly decrease with the onset of the warm season.

In adolescence, the “geography” of rashes moves to the back, abdomen, groin.

Constant itching disturbs sleep, the child becomes capricious and labile. In adolescence, edematous rashes that change the aesthetics of the skin become the cause of psychological complexes. Skin elements in places of friction can become infected with the formation of local abscesses. This is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, general weakness of the child, deterioration in general well-being.

Signs of atopic dermatitis in children largely depend on the form and stage of the disease, as well as the cause of its occurrence and the age of the child.

Infant form

The inflammatory process is the most acute. Swelling and redness of the skin develops. Abundant rashes in the form of papules (“pimples”) and small vesicles, upon opening of which a richly weeping surface is formed. As the discharge dries up, crusts form on the affected areas.

Lesions are usually located on the face (forehead, cheeks, chin), under the hair on the head, on the arms and legs, less often in the buttocks. Often, the disease is accompanied by the formation of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, as well as “milk scab” – specific yellowish crusts on the cheeks.