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ASTEATOTIC ECZEMA
This condition is thought to be associated with a decrease in skin surface lipid (fat) layer.
Common triggers for this condition include a dry environment (excessive heating & low humidity), dietary imbalances and illness. It frequently affects individuals who have naturally dry skin.
It is more common in Winter, usually improving in the Summer months. It occurs predominantly in elderly patients or patients whose work exposes them to excessive washing of the affected areas.
Any area of the body may be affected but it is more commonly seen on the legs, arms and hand.
The association with varicose veins often causes the lower legs to be affected and years of contact with household/ industrial cleaners and degreasing agents usually causes the arms and hands to be affected. It is usually, however, triggered by a cold and dry Winter.
Dry Skin is the first sign, followed by slight scaling in a “dry river bed” or “crazy paving” pattern. The superficial cracks and fissures criss-cross and deepen as the flexibility of the skin becomes impaired. The cracks redden and inflamed eczematous spots begin to emerge. As these spots worsen they form large “plaques” – patches. It is at this point that the typical problems associated with severe itching - scratching, rupturing of the affected skin, slow weeping, formation of crusts, scaling, thickening, deep fissuring - begin to occur.
Itching with this condition is usually intense. A chronic sufferer may eventually cause ulceration to occur as a direct result of the constant and endless cycle of scratching and resultant damage to the skin.
Eventually the cycle of“relapse” in Winter and “clearing” in the Summer merges into a state of permanency. It is at this stage that the potential for ulceration is at its worst.
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