NUMMULAR DERMATITIS

Nummular dermatitis, also known as discoid eczema or discoid

dermatitis is named so because of its clinical appearance as coin
shaped circular or oval patches with a definite border.
It is a type of eczema affecting about 5 10% of the population.
Most of the time cause is not known, but known or proposed causes
include:
1. Dry skin, hence increases in winter season.
2. Over reaction of immune system to bacteria.
3. Allergy to substances like rubber, nickel, fragrances, medications
like neomycine, etc.
4. Atopy, i.e, tendency to frequent sneezing, wheezing, asthma,
eczema in the person with dermatitis or a related family member.
5. Friction.
This condition usually starts as water filled small blisters which slowly
progress to form a characteristic coin shaped patch. Initially there is
oozing but later there is scaling and thickening of skin. Lesions may
persist for prolonged periods and commonly occur again at previously
affected sites.
It is not infectious to other people although it can become
secondarily infected by bacteria.
Whenever one gets nummular eczema repeatedly it is essential to
find out any external allergen which is aggravating it, for which we
advise a test known as patch test. Some blood tests may be ordered
to rule out causes within the body.
Nummular dermatitis is a chronic skin condition which may keep on
recurring for many years, generally 3 to 10 years. It appears and
disappears, to finally stop on its own over a period of many years.
When creams tablets and moisturizing do not suffice, Phototherapy is
administered to control the disease and make it less severe by
modulating the immunity of the skin, which is often overactive in
people with nummular dermatitis.