Coin-shaped eczema: causes and treatment in children and adults

Coin eczema is a type of skin disease characterized by round lesions on the dermis that resemble coins.

The origin of the disease has not yet been established, but in patients with weakened immune systems it occurs much more often.

The second name for coin-shaped eczema is nummular eczema. Almost always occurs in infectious diseases.

According to the international classification of diseases, the disease has an ICD 10 code - L30.0 “Other dermatitis” - “coin-shaped eczema”. More than 10% of the population suffers from it. It manifests itself equally in both adults and children. Gender and place of work do not matter. It worsens during the period of acute respiratory diseases.

Causes and symptoms

The exact causes of dyshidrosis have not yet been identified, but since coin-shaped eczema is considered one of the types of microbial eczema, the development of this disease does not occur without the participation of bacteria.

Causes:

Infectious diseases (acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, etc.)
Stress loads on the body
Frequent exposure to chemicals
Hereditary predisposition
Hormonal diseases (for example, diabetes)
Misuse of medications
Increased sweating
Violation of the protective function of the dermis due to exposure to cold, heat, moisture, etc.

During the course of coin-shaped eczema, infection in the body has an effect on epithelial cells, which begin to produce molecules that ensure the development of the inflammatory process. The body begins to release fluid. The skin becomes swollen, the color of the tissue changes, and a rash appears.

Kinds:
getting wet
Seborrheic
Dry

Symptoms of eczema:

Dilation of capillaries located close to the surface of the skin
Redness of the dermis in the form of ovals or circles (resembling a coin)
Clear boundaries of redness
Rash
Formation of small bubbles filled with liquid
Itching and burning
Wounds after scratching
Development of purulent rashes due to infection
Merging of rashes with each other, formation of plaques
Isolation of serous fluid from opened vesicles
Formation of dry crusts on the surface of the skin
Possible suppuration of the skin under the cortical formations

Coin-shaped eczema begins its development from the extremities. The rash first begins on the arms or legs, then can spread throughout the body, including the buttock area. In children, general symptoms may include fever and enlarged lymph nodes.

Symptoms of nummular eczema

Nummular eczema is characterized by the formation of rounded spots, which is why it is called coin-shaped or disc-shaped eczema. The spots are large and can reach three centimeters in diameter.

At the initial stage of the disease, spots of pink shades form, which are accompanied by itching; often the lesions are localized mainly on the hands, but can be on any part of the body.

The formations have clearly defined edges, which are distinguished by a more saturated shade. To the touch, the spots rise above the level of healthy skin.

As the disease progresses, the spots change color from red to bluish, and vesicles (rash) with cloudy contents form on them. Papules and vesicles tend to open up on their own, thereby forming weeping areas that, after drying, form crusts and cracks.

The rash with nummular eczema tends to have a wave-like course, some vesicles have opened and at the same time new ones have formed nearby, such a rash is called polymorphic.

After crusts have formed, the skin in the affected areas begins to peel off, and pigmented dermis is noted in these areas.

Based on the above, general features can be identified:

formation of bright pink spots;
itching;
the appearance of a polymorphic rash;
opening of vesicles;
formation of wet areas;
formation of crusts and cracks;
peeling;
change in skin tone (pigmentation).

In the photo section you can see what nummular eczema looks like at different stages of the disease.

Diagnosis and treatment methods

The diagnosis is made based on external signs and does not cause any particular difficulties. However, the patient is prescribed certain tests that give a more complete picture of the development of eczema.

Analyzes:

General blood analysis
General urine analysis
Microbiological examination of skin
Biopsy of areas of the dermis
Allergen tests

In addition to tests, the dermatologist collects complete information about a person’s diet, use of medications and recent illnesses. If a specialist has doubts about the nature of coin-shaped eczema. He may recommend visiting a gastroenterologist, immunologist, psychologist, etc.

Treatment methods are determined only on the basis of studies conducted. Coin-shaped eczema is one of the most difficult to treat diseases, so the main goal of restoring the body is to transfer the disease into long-term remission.

Treatment of nummular eczema

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis to confirm an accurate diagnosis and identify the cause that led to the development of the disease. As a diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe:

Stool analysis - to identify the presence or absence of dysbiosis.
Scraping from the affected areas for culture and detection of sensitivity to antibiotic therapy.
Biochemical and general blood tests.
An immunogram is a general study of the state of the body.

Diagnostics is very important in this case, because this type of eczema has similar symptoms to other dermatological diseases, such as lichen/dermatosis/psoriasis and others.

Based on the tests obtained, the dermatologist will prescribe treatment. Therapy for nummular eczema involves a complex of medications that are aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms and the detrimental effect on the causative agent of the disease.

Antiseptics

With nummular eczema, the skin is susceptible to pathogenic bacteria and viruses, because its integrity is compromised; to avoid this, antiseptic treatment is prescribed. Pharmaceutical solutions are used as antiseptic treatment.

Antihistamines

The disease is accompanied by itching; to relieve discomfort, antihistamine tablets or ointments for local action can be prescribed.

Drying drugs

One of the stages of the disease is the formation of weeping areas; to eliminate them, ointments are prescribed that have a drying effect, in addition, most of these remedies help in eliminating itching.

Hormonal ointments

To eliminate inflammatory processes (hyperemia/swelling), as well as for long-term treatment, hormonal ointments can be prescribed.

Antibacterial drugs

To eliminate the cause of nummular eczema, the doctor prescribes antibiotics in tablets and ointments for local use.

Antifungal drugs

If, in addition to eczema, fungal infections are detected, antifungal ointments/creams and tablets are prescribed.

Additional funds

The level of immunity plays an important role in any disease, so vitamins must be prescribed to maintain immunity or immunomodulators to increase it. If antibiotics have been prescribed, it is advisable to take a course of probiotics.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is indicated for many dermatological diseases; it is highly effective in treating various skin diseases. In addition to treatment, physiotherapy plays a preventive role.

Ignoring the disease is fraught with transition to a chronic form and other complications.

A timely visit to a doctor will speed up treatment and contribute to a speedy recovery.

In addition to unpleasant sensations, the disease has an unpleasant appearance, which is why it brings severe psychological discomfort to the patient.

Treatment of nummular eczema with folk remedies

It is no secret that traditional medicine has a huge selection of recipes for any disease, but it is important to remember that any folk remedies can only be an addition to the main treatment, and not the main therapy.

The use of any means is permissible only after consultation with the attending physician. It is also important to know that with any disease, immunity decreases, and an allergic reaction may occur to herbal medicine, which will aggravate the situation.

As an additional treatment, you can use decoctions or tinctures based on the following herbs:

chamomile/calendula/oak bark – have an anti-inflammatory effect;
St. John's wort/birch buds/nettle – have an antiseptic and wound-healing effect.

In addition to drug therapy and traditional methods, many doctors recommend following a diet that is based on proper nutrition and the exclusion of harmful foods and foods that are considered a source of allergies.

It is also advisable to give up bad habits or at least reduce the amount of their consumption (tobacco/alcohol).

Treatment with drugs

Drug treatment:

Sedatives – will ease the patient’s nervous condition, relieve anxiety and sleep disturbances. Preparations based on herbal components are recommended for use - infusion of valerian or motherwort, herbal teas.
Antihistamines are drugs that relieve the body's allergic reaction. You can use Diazolin, Zyrtec, Loratadine, etc.
Antibiotics - they are used only in case of infection in the body, for example, Oxycort, Ampicillin, Doxycycline.
Ointments - Hyoxysone or Akriderm Genta - topical medications that provide not only an antibacterial, but also an anti-inflammatory effect on inflamed skin, help fight many pathogenic microbes.
Immunomodulators are sets of vitamins that will have a general strengthening effect on the human body and activate skin regeneration.
Diuretics (diuretics) – will remove the infection from the body and cleanse it of toxins. Prescribe Furosemide or Metozalone.
Corticosteroids are antifungal drugs prescribed when concomitant illnesses occur. This is Dermovate or Galcinonide.
Physiotherapeutic treatment - ultraviolet light, oxygen therapy, mud therapy, etc.

Treatment with folk remedies

Fruit

Potatoes are a vegetable that has a unique effect in the fight against any type of eczema. You can use it both in the form of compresses and apply the juice internally. Simultaneous use will give better results. To prepare a compress, grind the raw root vegetable into a pulp and wrap it in a clean cloth. Apply to affected areas 3-4 times a day.

Cabbage - its leaves contain not only vitamin A, but potassium, magnesium, manganese, which are so necessary for the body during the development of coin-shaped eczema. Used in the form of compresses. These can be crushed leaves or boiled in milk. Apply to a wet wound 2-3 times a day for 20 minutes.

Garlic is known to everyone as an antimicrobial plant. The clove needs to be boiled, crushed into a paste and mixed with honey, the resulting mass should be applied to papules for coin-shaped eczema. It will prevent coin-shaped eczema from spreading further throughout the body and eliminate the occurrence of concomitant infections.

Leaves and flowers

Walnut leaves have an antifungal and hemostatic effect. The thick juice of the plant is used. To do this, the raw materials are washed and crushed until liquid is released. The resulting oil is lubricated on the skin in the area of purulent rashes.

Elderberry is a plant whose leaves relieve inflammation. They are evaporated for 1 minute in boiling water and applied to areas of eczema.

Kalanchoe is a houseplant that has only positive reviews about its medicinal properties. They will ideally help eliminate weeping and purulent lesions. The juice from the soft leaves of the plant is used. Sterile gauze is soaked in it and applied for 10 minutes.

Oils

Sea buckthorn oil - has a healing, soothing and softening effect on open wounds. You can simply rub it into the inflamed skin, or you can apply it and bandage it with a sterile bandage at night.

Flaxseed oil gives a good result in the treatment of coin-shaped eczema, since during the period of weeping it helps to quickly restore the affected dermis without clogging the pores.

Corn oil is not used externally, but internally. You need to drink once a day during meals, preferably breakfast. This remedy will help remove toxins and waste from the body, strengthen the immune system and enrich it with a significant amount of vitamins.

Speaking about the treatment of coin-shaped eczema, it is worth noting that many drugs and traditional methods have contraindications for use if a person has concomitant diseases, and not only skin ones, therefore, before deciding to use this or that product, so as not to cause more harm to the body, you should consult your doctor. Only a professional can tell you how and with what to treat coin-shaped eczema.

Coin eczema: nutrition

During the period of coin-shaped eczema, it is important to avoid any factors that could lead to a worsening of the condition or complicate the course of the disease, so much attention should be paid to nutrition. Diet in this case will be of great importance not only for the restoration of the skin, but also in the functioning of the digestive and urinary systems.

Include in your diet:

Milk and fermented milk products (low-fat cottage cheese, sour cream)
Cereals
Greens, lettuce leaves
Zucchini, squash
Pumpkin
Broccoli
Rabbit meat

Exclude:

Hot seasonings and spices
Marinades
Red fruits and vegetables (strawberries, beets)
Alcoholic drinks
Egg
Citrus
Smoked, fatty, fried foods
Marinades

If it is difficult to create a menu on your own for a period of exacerbation of coin-shaped eczema, you should contact an allergist and nutritionist. Both specialists will be able to choose the right diet to not only exclude harmful foods, but also enrich the body with the microelements, vitamins and acids necessary to fight eczema.

Causes of nummular eczema

There are many reasons that can trigger the development of nummular eczema, including:

staphylococci/streptococci;
intestinal infections;
candidiasis;
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

These viruses and fungi are recognized as the most common pathogens.

We also highlight the reasons that together can become a factor provoking the development of the disease:

mental illness/long-term stressful situations;
acute and chronic diseases of internal organs;
predisposition to allergic reactions;
disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
hormonal imbalances;
temperature effects - hypothermia or overheating;
decreased immunity due to frequent respiratory diseases;
malfunctions of the autoimmune system;
vaccination.

It is important to note that diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) have a great impact on the state of the immune system, and can contribute to the development of many skin diseases.

The condition of the skin is directly related to general immunity, so it is very important to pay attention to skin lesions.

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Prevention and complications

Coin-shaped eczema requires constant monitoring and prevention. Since it is a chronic disease, all behavioral measures are aimed at increasing the period of remission. To do this, you need to follow certain rules.

Following a diet during an exacerbation and eliminating dietary errors
Reduce contact with harmful substances, use protective clothing
Limiting alcohol consumption
General hardening of the body, taking vitamins
Limiting the use of cosmetics containing high levels of chemical derivatives
Use of medicinal plants as prophylaxis (infusions, decoctions, baths, lotions, etc.)
Timely treatment of fungal and any other skin diseases

If coin-shaped eczema is diagnosed in time and its treatment is started, the prognosis of the disease is favorable. It is important not to miss a secondary infection, which can provoke the purulent development of the disease. If symptoms do not disappear over a long period of time or additional symptoms appear, such as fever or deterioration in general condition, you must immediately inform your dermatologist about this to change medications or add additional ones.

Prevention of nummular eczema

Any disease is easier to prevent; to avoid the occurrence of nummular eczema, a number of simple preventive rules should be followed:

Adhere to the rules of personal hygiene.
Treat acute and chronic diseases of internal organs.
Avoid hypothermia.
Maintain immunity levels, especially during seasons when respiratory diseases peak.
Get tested on time.

If you experience the symptoms described above, you should immediately consult a doctor; the sooner treatment is started, the higher the chances of a speedy recovery and minimizing relapses. If the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis, do not panic, you should:

follow the doctor's instructions; if you have any questions, ask your doctor;
do not stop treatment, even if the symptoms have begun to subside; if the course of treatment is not completed, there is a high risk of re-development of the disease and its transition to a chronic form;
pay increased attention to personal hygiene, change underwear and bed linen more often;
take control tests.

Despite the fact that the disease is not contagious, you should not use other people’s personal belongings and personal hygiene items. With timely treatment, nummular eczema has a favorable outcome.