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Nummular eczema - Overview

Alternative Names

Eczema - nummular; Nummular dermatitis

Definition of Nummular eczema:

Nummular eczema is an allergy-related disorder in which itchy, coin-shaped spots or patches appear on the skin.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of nummular eczema is unknown, but there usually is a personal or family history of asthma, allergies, atopic dermatitis, or similar disorder. It is relatively uncommon, and most often occurs in elderly men.

Several things may make the condition worse, including

Dry skin
Environmental irritants
Stress
Temperature changes

Skin layers

Reviewed last on: 4/12/2007
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

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