Baylor Health Care System
 

Nummular eczema

Definition

Nummular eczema is an allergy-related disorder in which itchy, coin-shaped spots or patches appear on the skin.

Alternative Names

Eczema - nummular; Nummular dermatitis

Causes

The cause of nummular eczema is unknown, but there usually is a personal or family history of asthma, allergies, atopic dermatitis, or similar disorder. It is relatively uncommon, and most often occurs in elderly men.

Several things may make the condition worse, including

  • Dry skin
  • Environmental irritants
  • Stress
  • Temperature changes

References

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Review Date: 4/12/2007
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.