Why Do I Have Eczema On My Legs

When To Seek Medical Advice

See a GP if you have symptoms of atopic eczema. They’ll usually be able to diagnose atopic eczema by looking at your skin and asking questions, such as:

• whether the rash is itchy and where it appears
• when the symptoms first began
• whether it comes and goes over time
• whether there’s a history of atopic eczema in your family
• whether you have any other conditions, such as allergies or asthma
• whether something in your diet or lifestyle may be contributing to your symptoms

Typically, to be diagnosed with atopic eczema you should have had an itchy skin condition in the last 12 months and 3 or more of the following:

• visibly irritated red skin in the creases of your skin such as the insides of your elbows or behind your knees at the time of examination by a health professional
• a history of skin irritation occurring in the same areas mentioned above
• generally dry skin in the last 12 months
• a history of asthma or hay fever children under 4 must have an immediate relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who has 1 of these conditions
• the condition started before the age of 2

Causes Of Varicose Eczema

Varicose eczema is usually caused by increased pressure in the leg veins.

When small valves in the veins stop working properly, it’s difficult for blood to be pushed upwards against gravity and it can leak backwards.

This increases the pressure in the veins, which can cause fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. It’s thought that varicose eczema may develop as a result of the immune system reacting to this fluid.

Varicose eczema is more common in people with varicose veins, as these are also often a sign that the leg veins are not working properly.

Some people develop the condition for no obvious reason, although there are some factors that increase the chance of this happening, including:

• gender varicose eczema is more common in women
• obesity this can increase the pressure in your leg veins
• pregnancy this can also increase the pressure in your leg veins
• not being able to move for a long period of time this can affect the circulation of blood in your leg veins
• having previously had DVT blood clots that develop in leg veins which can damage the valves in your veins
• increasing age people generally find it harder to move about as they get older, which can affect their circulation

How To Treat Eczema On Legs

Do you suffer from eczema on legs and cantfind relief from relentless scratching and overall irritation? Leg eczema can becaused from a variety of external issues such as allergens and season allergiesor from internal factors such as a stress, hormones, an unhealthy gut and more.

However, eczema on legs can also be easilytriggered from clothing that contains chemical dyes and unnatural fibers . Eczema caused from clothing actually has its own name: Textile Dermatitis.

Although eczema on legs can cause a varietyof symptoms, the most common are:

• Red to brownish-gray patches onknees or behind knees
• Small, oozing bumps
• Thickened, cracked, scaly skin

Many suffer from eczema on thighs andeczema on calves as well.

Regardless of where your eczema appears,there are a variety of natural treatments that can help diminish your symptomsand triggers.

You May Like: What Does Baby Eczema Look Like Pictures

Aquaphor Healing Ointment Cream

This cream from Aquaphor is dermatologist recommended for dry heels and feet, cracked cuticles, chapped lips and cracked and dry skin. It is clinically proven to restore healthy and smooth skin without preservatives and harmful chemicals.

Moreover, this cream for eczema is uniquely formulated with 41 percent petroleum that allows oxygen to flow and heal the skin Panthenol for skin protection and glycerin to nourish, moisturize and protect the skin and enhance its healing.

Donât Miss: What Causes Eczema In Children

Eczema Coping Tips Reducing Skin Irritation

People with eczema have sensitive skin. Irritants such as heat or detergents can easily trigger a bout of eczema.Suggestions for reducing skin irritation include:

• Avoid overheating your skin. Wear several layers of clothing that you can remove, as required, instead of one heavy layer. Dont put too many blankets on your bed and avoid doonas.
• Dont use perfumed bubble bath or bath products labelled medicated.
• Wear soft, smooth materials next to your skin, preferably 100% cotton. Avoid scratchy materials, such as pure wool, polyester or acrylic. You could try a cotton and synthetic mix material this is fine for some people with eczema. Remove labels from clothing.
• Always wear protective gloves when using any type of chemical or detergent. You may want to wear cotton gloves inside rubber or PVC gloves.
• Avoid chlorinated pools. If you have to swim in a chlorinated pool, moisturise your skin well when you get out.

Read Also: What Can Be Done For Severe Eczema

Surprising Ways Parents Make Eczema Itchier

Some itch-relieving techniques that people use can make eczema itchier. To prevent this, dermatologists recommend that you avoid:

Top Tips: How To Apply Emollients On Varicose Eczema:

• use a large amount all over both lower legs, not just flared areas
• apply at least twice a day, and more frequently if skin is very dry
• dont rub smooth emollients into the skin in the same direction that the hair grows
• apply after bathing, gently dry the skin, then immediately apply the emollient while the skin is still moist

Recommended Reading: Best Natural Cure For Eczema

What Causes Discoid Eczema

The exact cause of discoid eczema is uncertain. However, most people with discoid eczema have generally dry skin. One theory is that the dry skin upsets the normal fatty layer within the outer layer of the skin which usually helps to protect the skin. Because this protection is lost, special proteins that can cause allergy can penetrate through the skin. This can lead to an allergic or irritant response in the skin, so leading to the patches of eczema. In fact, some doctors actually consider discoid eczema as a form of adult-onset atopic dermatitis.

Sometimes certain medicines can trigger discoid eczema in some people. For example, medicines used to treat hepatitis C infection . Insect bites or injury to the skin can also trigger an outbreak of discoid eczema in some people.

Because the fatty, protective layer within the skin is lost, it is thought that some people with discoid eczema may also have an increased risk of developing contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is eczema that is caused by your skin reacting to a substance it has come into contact with. Such substances can include nickel in jewellery or belt buckles, cosmetics, preservatives in creams and ointments, additives to leather, etc. See the separate leaflet called Contact Dermatitis for more details.

Also Check: How Do You Heal Eczema

How Is Eczema Treated What Medications Are Used

Treating eczema can be difficult if the cause is something you cant control, like genetics. Fortunately, you may have some influence over your environment and stress levels. Do your best to figure out what triggers or worsens your eczema, and then avoid it. The goal is to reduce itching and discomfort and prevent infection and additional flare-ups.

Consider these treatment tips:

If your child has skin problems, such as eczema, you can:

• Avoid long, hot baths, which can dry the skin. Use lukewarm water instead and give your child sponge baths.
• Apply lotion immediately after bathing while the skin is still moist. This will help trap moisture in the skin.
• Keep the room temperature as regular as possible. Changes in room temperature and humidity can dry the skin.
• Keep your child dressed in cotton. Wool, silk and manmade fabrics such as polyester can irritate the skin.
• Use mild laundry soap and make sure that clothes are well rinsed.
• Watch for skin infections. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice an infection.
• Help them avoid rubbing or scratching the rash.
• Use moisturizers several times daily. In infants with eczema, moisturizing on a regular basis is extremely helpful.

You May Like: Tubby Todd Cream For Eczema

How Can Parents Help

Help prevent or treat eczema by keeping your child’s skin from getting dry or itchy and avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups. Try these suggestions:

• Kids should take short baths or showers in warm water. Use mild unscented soaps or non-soap cleansers and pat the skin dry before putting on cream or ointment. Teens should use unscented makeup and oil-free facial moisturizers.
• Ask your doctor if it’s OK to use oatmeal soaking products in the bath to help control itching.
• Kids should wear soft clothes that “breathe,” such as those made from cotton. Wool or polyester may be too harsh or irritating.
• Keep your child’s fingernails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Try having your child wear comfortable, light gloves to bed if scratching at night is a problem.
• Kids should avoid becoming overheated, which can lead to flare-ups.
• Kids should drink plenty of water, which adds moisture to the skin.
• Get rid of known allergens in your household and help your child avoid others, like pollen, mold, and tobacco smoke.
• Stress can make eczema worse. Help your child find ways to deal with stress .

General Tips For Coping With Eczema

Other tips to manage your eczema include:

• Keep your fingernails short longer nails are more likely to injure your skin when you scratch.
• If the water in your area is hard or alkaline, consider installing a water-softening device.
• Swim in the sea in warm weather whenever you can seawater is known to reduce the symptoms of eczema.
• Use sun exposure for limited periods for example, when swimming at the beach. This can help relieve eczema symptoms. But be aware that ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin. Also, if sun exposure causes overheating, this can also aggravate eczema.

Recommended Reading: Types Of Eczema In Babies

Types Of Facial Eczema

Eczema is actually a term for a group of conditions that cause itchy, red, and inflamed skin rashes. The types of eczema that are most likely to appear on the face are:

• Atopic dermatitis: This is the most common type of eczema overall. It is very common on the cheeks and chin, especially in infants. It can also appear around the eyes, on the eyelids, and around the lips. It can, however, occur anywhere on the face or the rest of the body.
• Contact dermatitis: This is also a common type of eczema. It is a skin reaction to a specific irritant. On the face, it is usually found around the eyes, the hairline, and in areas that contact perfumes and jewelry, like the neck and earlobes. But, like atopic dermatitis, this type of eczema can occur anywhere.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: This type most often occurs around the hairline, in the eyebrows, around the ears, and on the sides of the nose.

• Small blisters that may weep or ooze
• Cracked skin that may bleed

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

The skin may also feel sore and raw during a flare-up. If eczema lasts long, the skin can eventually become thick, discolored, or scarred.

Nearly 30 million people live with eczema in the United States, and it impacts everyone differently. Some people may experience minor flare-ups, where their skin becomes mildly itchy. For others, flare-ups involve severe itching, dryness or oozing, and bleeding.

What Causes Varicose Eczema

Varicose eczema is caused by increased pressure in the leg veins.

When the small valves in the veins stop working properly, its difficult for blood to be pushed against gravity and it can leak backwards.

This increases the pressure in the veins, which can cause fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. It is thought that varicose eczema may develop as a result of the immune system reacting to this fluid.

Varicose eczema is more common in people with varicose veins, as these are also often a sign that the leg veins arent working properly.

Also Check: What Is The Best Lotion To Use For Eczema

Don’t Miss: Does Stress Cause Eczema Breakouts

How Is Eczema Treated

There is no cure for eczema. But treatments can help with symptoms. The doctor will recommend different treatments based on how severe the symptoms are, the child’s age, and where the rash is. Some are “topical” and applied to the skin. Others are taken by mouth.

Topical moisturizers. Skin should be moisturized often . The best time to apply moisturizer is after a bath or shower, with the skin patted dry gently. Ointments and creams are best because they contain a lot of oil. Lotions have too much water to be helpful.

Topical corticosteroids, also called cortisone or steroid creams or ointments. These ease skin inflammation. It’s important not to use a topical steroid prescribed for someone else. These creams and ointments vary in strength, and using the wrong strength in sensitive areas can damage the skin, especially in infants.

Other topical anti-inflammatory medicines. These include medicines that change the way the skin’s immune system reacts.

Medicine taken by mouth. These can include antihistamines to help itchy kids sleep better at night, antibiotics if a rash gets infected by bacteria, and corticosteroid pills or other medicines that suppress the immune system.

Other types of treatment can include:

• wet wraps: damp cloths placed on irritated areas of skin
• bleach baths: bathing in very diluted bleach solution

Referral To A Specialist

You may be referred to a hospital specialist for further tests. You might see a doctor or surgeon who specialises in conditions affecting blood vessels , or a doctor who specialises in skin conditions if:

• you have varicose veins and changes to your skin, such as varicose eczema, lipodermatosclerosis or a history of leg ulcers
• you have very poor blood flow in your legs
• your symptoms do not get better, despite treatment
• it’s possible you have contact dermatitis

Recommended Reading: Is Eczema A Sign Of Hiv

Living With Eczema And Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema can flare up when you are under stress. Learn how to recognize and cope with stress. Stress reduction techniques can help. Changing your activities to reduce daily stress can also be helpful.

The area where you had the eczema may easily get irritated again, so it needs special care. Continue to follow the tips provided here even after your skin has healed.

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your childâs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Recommended Reading: Does Paraffin Wax Help Eczema

A Personalized Savings And Support Program

Learn more about financial assistance options and other resources by talking to a Patient Support Representative.

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET

You are encouraged to report adverse events related to Pfizer products by calling 1-800-438-1985 .If you prefer, you may contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration directly. Visit www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

You are encouraged to report adverse events related to Pfizer products by calling1-800-438-1985 .

If you prefer, you may contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration directly. Visit www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CIBINQO may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious infections. CIBINQO can lower your immune systemâs ability to fight infections. Do not start CIBINQO if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. Serious infections, including tuberculosis and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body, have occurred in people taking CIBINQO or other similar medicines. Some people have died from these infections. Your risk of developing shingles may increase while taking CIBINQO.

Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before treatment with CIBINQO and monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB infection during treatment.

Before and after starting CIBINQO, tell your doctor right away if you have an infection, are being treated for one, or have symptoms of an infection, including:

Choice Of Topical Corticosteroid

There are different strengths of topical corticosteroids that can be prescribed depending on the severity of your eczema. Discoid eczema usually needs a stronger type of corticosteroid than other types of eczema.

You might be prescribed a cream to be used on visible areas, such as face and hands, and an ointment to be used at night or for more severe flare-ups.

Recommended Reading: Things To Use For Eczema