Eczema

• Atopic dermatitis (AD)
• Atopic eczema
• Infantile eczema
• Nummlar eczema

• 692.0 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to detergents
• 692.1 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to oils and greases
• 692.2 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to solvents
• 692.3 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to drugs and medicines in contact with skin
• 692.4 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to other chemical products
• 692.5 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to food in contact with skin
• 692.6 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to plants [except food]
• 692.7 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to solar radiation
• 692.8 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to other specified agents
• 692.84 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to animal (cat) (dog) dander
• 692.89 Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to other specified agents
• 692.9 Contact dermatitis and other eczema, unspecified cause

• L20-L30 Dermatitis and eczema

• 7B: Impaired integumentary integrity secondary to superficial skin involvement2

Description

• Eczema is a common group of skin conditions
• Form of dermatitis
• A chronic, relapsing, and inflammatory skin condition
• Results in itchy, inflamed, irritated skin
• Often has an inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever

Essentials of Diagnosis

• There are no laboratory tests used to diagnose eczema
• Clinical features of the disease are used for diagnosis, including the itchiness and the biology and spread (appearance) of the lesions
• Ruling out other skin diseases like contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis is used to confirm the diagnosis
• Skin lesion biopsies or skin cultures may be used to rule out other causes

General Considerations

• There are three stages of the disease: infantile, childhood, and adult
  • Often with latent phases in between
  • At each stage, the condition may be diagnosed as acute, subacute, or chronic
• Intrinsic
  • Non-allergic with xerosis and occurrence at a young age
• Extrinsic
  • Generally associated with a medical history (personal or hereditary) of respiratory allergy

Demographics

• Eczema is the most common skin problem for which people seek medical treatment
• Affects about 10% of the U.S. population

Signs and Symptoms

• Itching, which may be severe, especially at night
• Small, raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched
• Rash, most common on face, back of knees, wrists, hands, and feet
• Thickened, cracked, or scaly skin
• Change in skin pigmentation making affected area lighter or darker
• Red to brownish-gray colored patches
• Areas with loss of hair and skin color changes

Functional Implications

• Inability to tolerate stress; cold, dry air; allergens without rash; itching; and dry skin
• Limitation of the use of some modalities

Possible Contributing Causes

• Skin lesions
• Circulation impairment
• Pain
• Edema
• The ...