Skin condition types

The EPIMAX® emollient range is for use in patients with eczema, psoriasis and other dry skin conditions to treat and manage symptoms. Learn about the different types of eczema and psoriasis below:

• Eczema
  Eczema is a dry skin condition also known as dermatitis, which causes dry, scaly, red and itchy skin, but each person affected experiences it differently. One in five children and one in twelve adults in the UK are affecetd.¹ There are many types of eczema, including:
• Atopic²
  This condition refers to a pre-disposed tendency to develop eczema, asthma and/or hay fever, and is usually hereditary (but may skip a generation). In atopic conditions, the body overreacts, often to environmental factors and irritants (soaps, detergents, fragrance), and allergens (animal dander, pollens), and the skin becomes inflamed and itchy. In atopic eczema, dry skin is thought to be caused by a defective skin barrier. Filaggrin is a structural protein in the skin, and changes to this gene, or a deficiency in those with atopic eczema can lead to a breakdown of the skin barrier.
• Contact³
  Affecting 9% of the population, and the most common type of work-related skin disease, contact eczema or dermatitis occurs as a result with contact with irritants or environmental allergens. There are two types:Irritant Contact Dermatitis
  A reaction to frequent contact with everyday things, which irritate the skin, such as: soap, detergents, hair cosmetics, bleach, cold wind and raw food.

  Allergic Contact Dermatitis
  A much less common condition caused by an individual developing a specific allergy to a chemical, or what might usually be considered harmless substances.

• Adult Seborrhoeic Dermatitis⁴
  This rash appears in areas with large numbers of grease glands, and usually begins on the scalp as dandruff, it can progress to redness, irritation and increased scaling, which becomes seborrhoeic eczema. As the scalp becomes inflamed, the eczema may spread onto the face and neck.
• Infantile Seborrhoeic⁵
  Commonly seen in infants under the age of a year old, but Infantile Seborrheic Eczema can suddenly appear between 2 weeks and six months after birth. It usually affects the scalp and is often referred to as cradle cap; although it may also affect the face, ears, neck, behind the knees, inside the elbows, armpits and nappy area.
• Discoid⁶
  A distinct condition with coin shaped areas of eczema, the size of a fifty pence piece, that begin with a bumpy appearance on the lower legs, trunk or forearms. After a few days the patches begin to ooze, become very itchy, crusted and infected. Eventually the surface becomes scaly and the centre of the discs clear, and the skin is left dry and flaky.
• Pompholyx⁷
  In this condition the skin is extremely itchy, accompanied by a burning sensation of heat and prickling in the palms or on the soles of the feet. This blistering is usually restricted to the hands and feet.
• Asteatotic⁸
  The cause of this condition is not known but almost always affects those over the age of 60. However, it has been linked to a decrease in the oils on the skins surface, over cleansing, low humidity, scrubbing the skin and vigorous towel drying. It can cause a great deal of discomfort, initially appearing on the shins with pink and red fissures, only affecting the superficial layers of the skin. It can also affect the upper arms, thighs and lower back.
• Ichthyosis⁹
  This condition can be inherited and causes a build-up of rough, scaly skin. It affects the rate at which the skin regenerates, either the shedding of old skin cells is too slow, or the cells reproduce at a much faster rate than they can shed old skin.
• Psoriasis¹⁰
  An immune condition whereby, it takes just a few days to replace skin cells in a process that usually takes 21-28 days. This accumulation of skin cells builds up to form raised ‘plaques’ on the skin, which can also be flaky, scaly, and itchy. Psoriasis can occur on any area of the body, including the scalp, hands, feet and genitals, although different types tend to occur on different areas.
• Plaque Psoriasis
  Most patients with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, either alone or in combination with another type. It can be red, itchy and sore, with white or silvery scales.
• Scalp Psoriasis
  A thick build-up of thick scaly skin on the scalp, which can make it feel itchy and tight.
• Guttate Psoriasis
  Can occur at any age but is common in children, adolescents and younger adults, some find it to be itchy and sore whilst others do not notice. Also known as ‘tear drop’ or ‘rain drop’ because of how it looks. It is often triggered by a streptococcal throat infection, and these people may experience repeat bouts of guttate psoriasis, some may find it evolves into another type of psoriasis, but others will never experience another bout of psoriasis.
• Pustular Psoriasis
  It causes small white or yellow blisters appear on top of very red or darkened skin. These pustules are filled with fluid, not a symptom of infection or bacteria, and with all types of psoriasis, not contagious.
• Nail Psoriasis
  Affects up to half of all people with psoriasis and it is thought that around 80% of those with psoriatic arthritis have nail symptoms. It can affect fingernails, toenails, or both. The symptoms can ranger from mild to severe and it is easy to misdiagnose as a fungal infection.