Various in origin, but similar in manifestations of skin lesions, called eczema, refer to inflammatory non-contagious dermatological diseases. It is often diagnosed eczema on the legs, which can occur in an acute form or take a chronic recurrent course.
Eczema - Species
Eczema, localized on the legs, is accompanied by inflammatory processes in the thickness of the dermis and epidermis. Depending on the peculiarities of the mechanism of the origin and development of the disease, its clinical manifestations, specialists distinguish the types of eczema on the legs: true, microbial, varicose, professional, horny (corn-like) and some others. Let us dwell briefly on these main types of pathology.
Varicose Eczema
This form of the disease appears in patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities and often has a chronic course with a tendency to frequent exacerbations. The main factor leading to the occurrence of lesions is a violation of venous blood flow. This is often due to disruption of the vascular valve apparatus, weakening of its functions, because of which there is an increase in pressure in the veins, their modification, the development of stagnant phenomena. These adverse events lead to the desiccation and thinning of skin tissues, the appearance on them of microarrays, cracks.
Varicose eczema on the legs is localized mainly on the lower third of the shins, near areas with dilated veins. At the beginning of the development of such complications, patients note the peeling of skin areas, the appearance of increasing itching. After that, inflammatory signs join: redness of the tissues, soreness, the formation of opening bubbles leaving coarse crusts. Often, these manifestations precede the occurrence of trophic ulcers on the legs.
Microbial eczema
In those cases when on the lower extremities there are long-term non-healing infected wounds, resulting from injuries or surgical interventions, fungal lesions, fistulas, abrasions, microbial eczema on the legs may develop. Also, this kind of pathology is sometimes formed against the background of lymphatic stasis, venous insufficiency. As causative agents are often the following microorganisms:
- streptococci ;
- staphylococci;
- Proteins;
- Klebsiella;
- candida.
Due to the reduction of the barrier functions of the epidermis, the chronic effects of pathogenic pathogens result in the formation of eczematous lesions. A distinctive feature of this form of the disease is clearly limited inflammatory foci, prone to peripheral growth and a massive layering of purulent crusts. In addition, often with the microbial form observed the appearance of screenings - individual small pustules, foci of peeling on the external healthy tissues.
True eczema
This species, having an unclear etiology, is the most common. At the beginning of development, the pathology is localized in the face area, after which it passes to the limbs. If there is such eczema on the legs, the initial stage is characterized by redness and swelling of the tissues. After this, there are vesicular and papular rashes, severe itching. The foci do not have clear boundaries. Opening elements leave behind wet sores, covered with crusts. After the extinction of inflammatory processes, the scar tissue is formed on the affected areas.
A kind of true eczema is a dyshidrotic eczema on the feet, in which the soles of the feet are affected. Typical manifestations are small dense bubbles with a transparent liquid inside, opening and forming painful erosions or leaving crusts. The disease is accompanied by severe itching, burning. In addition, many patients develop trophic nail changes.
Professional eczema
This form of pathology arises from the long-term effects of various stimuli, often chemical, for example: nickel, chromium, formalin, epoxy, benzylpenicillin, novocaine, dyes, detergents, etc. Workers in the pharmaceutical, chemical, metallurgical, , cleaners.
Quite often professional eczema begins on the toes, spreading to the feet. Typical manifestations are severe redness, swelling, a large number of vesicles. On the affected skin surface, the pattern changes, the tissues thicken. Pathological processes of the slopes quickly "subside" when eliminating contact with substances-stimuli.
Corneal eczema
Defeat of this species is often observed in women in the climacteric period, which may indicate the role of changes in the hormonal background in its occurrence. A characteristic feature of the disease is the appearance of hyperkeratosis - excessive thickening of the epidermis. Unlike other forms of the disease, the bubbles do not arise, but instead they form corn-shaped growths that eventually crack with the formation of deep cracks that cause pain.
Corneal eczema (tylotic, horny) is somewhat similar to the manifestations of psoriasis, mycosis, epidermophytia of the feet, from which this disease should be distinguished. Often, with a long course of pathology, it is complicated by a lesion of interdigital spaces, accompanied by pronounced itching, redness, swelling, and the appearance of painful erosions.
Eczema on the feet - causes
The exact causes of the appearance of pathology have not been established for today, there are several theories on this subject. It is believed that eczema on the legs is a polyethological disease, one of the main values in the development of which is assigned to immune changes that provoke allergic reactions. Scientists suggest that various stimuli (mainly external) lead to a reorganization of the body tissues, in which eczematous reactions in the skin can start at any time.
However, many facts suggest that eczema between the toes and other parts of the lower extremities during its formation is dependent on the state of the nervous system. Violation of its activities can occur due to frequent stressful situations, mental overwork. On this basis the changes preceding the development of the eczematous process in the skin tissues are developing reflexively. In addition, some internal pathologies "help" unfavorable processes:
- liver disease ;
- kidney disease;
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis ;
- gastritis with a change in acidity;
- peptic ulcer;
- helminthic invasions;
- disorders of the hormonal background (associated with the thyroid gland, adrenal glands);
- atopic dermatitis .
Causal factors are recognized and many external effects:
- contact with allergens, chemical irritants;
- influence of heat, cold, ultraviolet radiation;
- mechanical, chemical, thermal and radiation damage to the skin;
- infection.
What does eczema look like?
In typical cases, eczema on the feet begins with reddening of the skin, accompanied by intolerable itching, against which soon there are multiple vesicles with serous fluid inside. After the opening of these elements, there remain point erosions, when drying, yellowish crusts are formed. When dry eczema develops on the legs, eruptions and erosions are absent, and the affected areas appear reddened, strongly flaky, scaly and cracked.
Wet eczema on the legs
Wet eczema is the transformation of a dry form of damage, in which bursting vesicles with leaky serous fluid do not have time to overgrow with cortices, but begin to deepen and turn into sores. This forms an inhomogeneous wetting surface, gradually increasing in size. Emerging crusts quickly get wet, not allowing tissues to epithelialize. All these processes are associated with severe itching, burning. What kind of eczema is on the legs, the photo below is able to convey.
How to treat eczema on the legs?
In order to determine in each case how to cure eczema on the feet, specialists need to know as much as possible about the mechanism of its appearance, provoking factors. To do this, you may need to perform allergic tests, study the functioning of the nervous system, digestive organs, hormone levels and check other pathogenetic links. All patients who have eczema on their feet are recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:
- restriction of water procedures in the area of lesions;
- refusal to contact with possible irritants, chemicals, household chemicals;
- avoidance of stressful situations;
- compliance with a healthy hypoallergenic diet;
- regular care for the skin of the feet with special medications.
In many cases, the treatment of eczema on the legs at home involves medication with the following preparations of systemic action:
- antihistamines (Diazolin, Loratadine, Cetirizine);
- tranquilizers (Nosepam, tincture of valerian, Chlosepide);
- glucocorticoid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone);
- antibacterial drugs (Gentamicin, Tetracycline, Erythromycin);
- vitamins B1, B6, C;
- sorbents (Enterosgel, Atoxil, activated carbon).
Physiotherapeutic methods are effective in the treatment:
- PUVA-therapy ;
- selective phototherapy;
- helium-neon laser irradiation;
- ozonotherapy ;
- magnetotherapy.
Ointments versus eczema on the legs
From preparations of local action, ointment from eczema is often recommended, especially with a dry form of lesion. The ointment from eczema on the legs can be non-hormonal, the action of which is aimed at suppression of pathogenic microflora, elimination of inflammatory processes, acceleration of tissue regeneration, or hormonal, used in more severe cases with the purpose of a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Let's list the basic preparations in the form of ointments, appointed at an eczema:
- with the content of corticosteroids - Hydrocortisone, Advantan, Lorinden C;
- non-hormonal - Wilkinson's ointment, salicylic-zinc ointment, Ichthyol, Dexpanthenol, Magnipsol, Baneoocin, Levomekol, Mycoderm and others.
Cream for eczema on the legs
Treatment of eczema on the feet with the presence of mocclusion often involves the use of the following types of creams:
- hormonal - Celestoderm B, Cinaflan, Elokom;
- without corticosteroids - Bepanten, Skin-cap, Agrosulfan, Elidel, Losterin, Timogen and some others.
Treatment of eczema on the feet with folk remedies
Adherents of alternative medicine offer to use recipes based on herbal ingredients for treatment. Many of them effectively help to eliminate annoying itching, reduce the activity of inflammatory processes, disinfect the lesions. We suggest using a simple remedy for eczema on the legs, recommended for different types of lesions.
Prescription for lotion
Ingredients:
- potatoes - 1 pc .;
- honey - 1 tsp.
Preparation and use
- Peel the root and grate.
- Mix with honey.
- Place the mixture in a gauze folded in several layers.
- The resulting lotion is applied to the affected area several times a day.
Diet with eczema
The diet for eczema on the legs, which is part of the treatment, is based on the following principles:
- predominance of dairy-vegetable dishes, cereals, boiled lean meat, fresh fruits and vegetables;
- refusal of fatty, fried, smoked dishes, sweets, marinades, alcohol;
- refusal from highly allergenic products (citrus, cocoa, strawberry, red fish, egg white);
- sufficient use of liquid.