Eczema - a specific form of dermatitis - is a chronic skin condition that can cause patches of extremely dry, often itchy, red and inflamed skin. For some people, eczema can present in different ways ranging from dry, ill-defined red and thickened skin, to blistering, weepy, well-defined lesions. 

As one of the most common of all skin conditions, estimated by the National Eczema Society to affect 1 in 5 children and 1 in 12 adults in the UK. What causes eczema can range from genetics to allergies to lifestyle factors, including stress, diet, climate, hormones and allergic reactions. Flare-ups may be short lived or go on for months or years.

Identifying and understanding which form you have, and knowing how best to treat it can, therefore, be confusing... Nonetheless, eczema in all its forms can have a huge impact on both physical and emotional wellbeing. It’s vital, therefore, that they are successfully treated, so we are here to help as we take you through what eczema can look like, its symptoms and the best natural eczema treatment options. 

What Does Eczema Look Like?

Eczema is often defined as causing dry, flaky patches of skin, often irritated or inflamed, but due to the many different types of eczema (as listed below) the answer is often more complex. 

Weeping Eczema, for instance, typically has pus-filled blisters that can be wet and ooze a yellow-ish liquid, or may dry leaving a crust on the skin. While the bumps caused by papular eczema are often mistaken for a rash, or even bites. 

On dark skin tones, eczema can show as darker brown or purple-coloured patches with itchy and dry, or flaky skin on the surface. Papular eczema on dark skin tones can be mistaken for bites, or even goosebumps, so may easily be overlooked as a serious skin condition. 

What are the different types of eczema?

Atopic Eczema | This is by far the most common form of eczema today. It manifests in various forms, either as dry, cracked, itchy and red patches of skin, or more acute symptoms of crusting, blistery and weeping red skin. Affected areas may be limited to small parts of the body (often the inside of the elbows and knees) or can affect large swathes of skin.

Seborrhoeic Eczema | This appears as dry, red, flaky and itchy skin, primarily affecting areas rich in sebaceous glands, oilier areas of the body (for example, the eyebrows, either side of the nose, mid chest, upper back and scalp, where it’s known as dandruff). Occasionally, it can affect the groin and armpits.

Stasis Eczema | Also known as Gravitational Eczema, this describes inflamed, itchy and ulcerated skin on the legs, and is linked to varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.

Nummular Eczema | This typically manifests as well-defined round or oval lesions scattered on limbs and torso. Individual lesions are typically itchy and may form blisters, crusting and weeping patches. Alternatively, the lesions are dry and cracked. It may be associated with persistent local infection, in which case it is known as Microbial Eczema.

Pompholyx Eczema | Also known as Dyshidrotic Eczema, this commonly affects the fingers and palms of hands, plus occasionally toes and the soles of feet. It manifests initially as small, itchy blisters between, followed a week or so later by dry and peeling skin. Like most forms of eczema, it is very itchy.

Fingertip eczema | Dry, cracked and painful skin of the fingertips and thumbs. Unlike other forms of eczema, this type is not itchy.

…So, How Do You Treat Eczema?

In line with each type of eczema, our founder, Mazin Al-Khafaji, has developed a range of targeted gels, creams and ointments, which you can alternate depending on the type of formula you prefer to apply to your face or body. Each and every product has been tried, tested and proven on countless eczema sufferers seen at our Avicenna Clinic.

1. ‘Hot Blood’ type

Hot blood type eczema can occur in a range of the eczemas above (e.g. Atopic, Nummular, etc) and is characterised by dry, red, itchy skin without blisters, crusting or weeping.

Soothing Cream | For the hand, face and body. This natural calming and cooling cream is rich in soothing actives and essential fatty acids including Amur Cork and Qing Dai, plus organic Safflower and Borage Seed Oils to deeply nourish and help lock moisture into skin.

Soothing Body Rescue | For the body. Ideal for widespread patches of itchy skin, this natural gel blends Hu Zhang, Aloe Vera and Calamine with powerfully soothing and softening effect.

Soothing Balm | For the face or body. Developed especially for Seborrhoeic Eczema, this soothing and softening formula is a unique blend of Qing Dai, Amur Cork, organic Shea Butter and Calamine – ideal for helping bring swift relief to hot, red or weeping skin on the face (typically the nose and eyebrows), upper back, chest, armpits or groin.

It goes without saying that your chosen topical formula should be applied to skin that is clean and dry (3-4 times a day). Once it is absorbed, apply the soothing emollient cream Nourishing Cream to affected areas on the face and body to further boost nourishment.

2. ‘Damp Heat’ type

Damp heat type eczema can also occur in a range of the eczemas above (e.g. Atopic, Nummular, etc) and is characterised by blisters, crusting and weeping of skin.

Soothing Ointment | For any areas that are affected by blistering, weepy, crusted eczema. Blending essential fatty acids plus vitamins A and E, this versatile, targeted cream is ideal for use day and night to help calm and comfort itchy ‘damp heat’ eczema.

Soothing Body Rescue | For the body. The specialised combination of Hu Zhang, Aloe Vera and Calamine in our natural gel also makes it ideal for soothing widespread and itchy patches of ‘damp heat’ eczema.

Soothing Balm | For the face or body. Developed especially for Seborrhoeic Eczema, this soothing and softening formula is a unique blend of Qing Dai, Amur Cork, organic Shea Butter and Calamine – ideal for helping bring swift relief to hot, red or weeping skin on the face (typically the nose and eyebrows), upper back, chest, armpits or groin.

More often than not, ‘damp heat’ eczema sufferers will experience dry patches between the wet areas. To help alleviate this, smooth a little Nourishing Cream over affected areas on the face or body to restore nourished skin.

3. ‘Dry Blood’ type

Dry Blood type eczema can also occur in a range of the eczemas above (e.g. Atopic, Nummular, etc) and is characterised by dry, pale, cracked, thickened, (lichenified) skin.

Soothing Fingertip Ointment | Specifically for fingertip eczema. It includes Bai Ji Bletilla Root, plus Shea and Cocoa Butters to help relieve and replenish dry, cracked fingertip skin.

Nourishing Hand & Foot Cream | Let your specialist hand and foot skincare work hard while you sleep… our powerfully calming and nourishing ointment is specifically for dry, thickened skin of the hands and feet

Nourishing Cream | For all skin. During the day and night, keep the dryness and discomfort associated with all types of dry skin eczema (hot blood, or dry blood) at bay by regularly smoothing this antioxidant-rich, deeply nourishing and revitalising cream onto affected areas.

A final word

As eczema is a very fickle skin condition and it’s quite common for a cream or ointment to suddenly stop working, even if it has previously been effective. As a result, we recommend switching between the different formulas for your eczema type. 

Can we help you further?
For further assistance with eczema symptoms and treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Explore our complete range of natural eczema skincare solutions.