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Subacute eczema
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The causes of subacute eczema
Contact allergy, contact irritation, atopic dermatitis, congestive dermatitis, coin-like eczema, eczema of fingertips and fungal infections can manifest as subacute eczema. If there is no obvious atopic anamnesis, you need to look for a new skin irritant or the effect of an allergen. Stress can worsen a condition and promote its development, but is not the only reason.
The pathogenesis of subacute eczema
Podotraya eczema can develop from acute (vesicular) eczema. This is the most common clinical manifestation of atopic dermatitis. Patients complain of dermatitis, which lasts more than one week. The intensity of pruritus is different: from mild to moderate and severe. The condition is resolved without the formation of scars, when eliminating provoking or contributing factors. Excoriation and repeated exposure to deteriorating conditions (water, cleaning or washing agents, irritants or other common allergic or irritating factors) translates the disease into a chronic form.
Symptoms of subacute eczema
Erythema or peeling of various forms. Borders are often not clearly outlined. Hyperemia may be weak or intense.
Treatment of subacute eczema
In the treatment of subacute eczema, steroid creams of Group II-V are administered twice daily under polyethylene occlusion or without it. Occlusion accelerates the resolution of foci, enhancing the absorption of the topical steroid. The duration of occlusion is determined individually, it must be limited and controlled. Steroid ointments are used twice a day without occlusion. The non-steroidal topical immunomodulator pimecrolimus (Elidel cream 1%) can be applied twice a day to the affected areas of the skin and is especially effective in subacute eczema of the face or periorbital area. In the beginning, a burning sensation may occur, which occurs after a few days. This type of therapy is effective in the chronic course of subacute eczema in atopics. Tar ointments and creams are an alternative in the case of steroid-resistant foci and have a moderately effective effect on some patients. Wet compresses should be avoided because they dry the skin. The use of moisturizers is an essential part of daily therapy. Humidifiers work best if they are used several hours after topical steroids. The application should continue for several days or weeks after the inflammation subsides. Humectants should often be used. Humidifiers are most effective if they are carefully rubbed into the skin immediately after washing, after carefully drying it with patting movements of the towel.
Creams of a simple composition (for example, "Aveeno"), not containing the ingredients that are most often associated with allergens, are better suited than lotions. A simple vaseline jelly is an excellent moisturizer, the advantages of which are the simplicity of the composition, the absence of allergenic additives or irritating ingredients. However, the acceptability of petroleum jelly for patients is limited because of its fat content. With infrequent washing of the skin with soap it is more useful to use soft soap type "Dove". Antibiotics are used in secondary bacterial infections.