Types of Eczema: 7 Types, What Triggers Each and How to Tell Them Apart
Eczema guide
There are seven main types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx), hand eczema, neurodermatitis and stasis dermatitis. All cause itchy, inflamed skin, but each has its own typical location, trigger and care. Knowing your type helps you avoid the right triggers and choose the right treatment.
- Atopic dermatitis is the most common type and often starts in childhood.
- Contact dermatitis appears where something touched the skin.
- Dyshidrotic eczema causes tiny blisters on the hands and feet; stasis dermatitis affects the lower legs.
- Regular moisturising helps every type and reduces flares.
What are the 7 types of eczema?
| Type | Where | Looks like | Main triggers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atopic dermatitis | Elbow and knee creases, neck, face (babies: cheeks) | Dry, itchy, red or darker patches | Dry skin, soaps, heat, sweat, allergens, stress |
| Contact dermatitis | Where a substance touched the skin | Itchy or burning rash, sometimes blisters | Nickel, fragrance, preservatives, detergents, plants |
| Nummular eczema | Legs, arms, trunk | Coin-shaped, very itchy patches that may ooze | Very dry skin, skin injury, cold dry weather |
| Dyshidrotic eczema | Palms, sides of fingers, soles | Tiny, deep, itchy blisters | Sweat, heat, metal allergy, stress |
| Hand eczema | Hands and fingers | Dry, cracked, red skin | Frequent washing, wet work, chemicals |
| Neurodermatitis | Neck, wrists, ankles, scalp, genitals | One or two thick, leathery, very itchy patches | Itch-scratch cycle, stress |
| Stasis dermatitis | Lower legs and ankles | Swollen, discoloured, itchy skin | Poor circulation in the leg veins |
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It usually starts in childhood, runs in families with asthma and hay fever, and comes and goes in flares. It is driven by a weak skin barrier and an over-reactive immune response. A large analysis of 310 studies covering 25.5 million people found it affects about 11% of children and teenagers and about 6% of adults (Migliavaca et al., 2024).
What is contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis appears where the skin has touched an irritant (such as detergent or frequent washing) or an allergen (such as nickel, fragrance or a preservative). The key is finding and avoiding the trigger; a doctor can arrange patch testing. Full guide: contact dermatitis.
What is nummular eczema?
Nummular (discoid) eczema forms coin-shaped, very itchy patches, often on the legs, that can ooze and crust. It is linked with very dry skin and is common in cold, dry weather. Patches can look like ringworm, so see a doctor if unsure. Compare with ringworm. Full guide: nummular eczema.
What is dyshidrotic eczema?
Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) causes tiny, intensely itchy blisters on the palms, sides of the fingers and soles. Sweating and metal allergy are common triggers (Nishizawa, 2016). Full guide: pompholyx.
What are hand eczema and neurodermatitis?
Hand eczema is often caused or worsened by frequent handwashing, wet work and chemicals, and is common in healthcare, cleaning, catering and hairdressing. Neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus) starts with an itch that is scratched so often the skin becomes thick and leathery; breaking the itch-scratch cycle is the key. Full guides: hand eczema causes, types and treatment and neurodermatitis.
What is stasis dermatitis?
Stasis dermatitis affects the lower legs when blood pools in weak leg veins. The skin becomes swollen, itchy and discoloured. Treating the circulation with leg elevation and compression, under medical advice, is central. See a doctor promptly if the skin breaks down or an ulcer forms.
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How do you care for every type of eczema?
- Moisturise twice a day. Across 77 trials, regular moisturising lowered eczema severity and reduced flares (van Zuuren et al., 2017).
- Avoid your triggers, such as soaps, fragrance, nickel or sweat.
- Calm the itch without scratching, using cooling and soothing creams.
- See a doctor for widespread, infected or stubborn eczema.
Chinese herbal creams with Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi achieved eczema lesion scores similar to steroid creams in a meta-analysis of 10 trials (Gu et al., 2014). Learn more about how TCM explains eczema.
Where QICAOGANGMU fits
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Patch test on a small area first, use a thin layer on intact skin and avoid the eyes, lips and genitals. Steroid-free options · Product details
Frequently asked questions
What are the 7 types of eczema?
Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis and stasis dermatitis.
What is the most common type of eczema?
Atopic dermatitis. It usually starts in childhood and often runs in families with asthma and hay fever.
How can I tell which type of eczema I have?
Look at where it is, what it looks like and what triggers it: blisters on the palms suggest dyshidrotic eczema, coin-shaped patches suggest nummular eczema, and a rash where something touched the skin suggests contact dermatitis. A doctor can confirm the type.
Can you have more than one type of eczema?
Yes. Many people have more than one type, for example atopic dermatitis with hand eczema or contact dermatitis.
What helps all types of eczema?
Regular moisturising, avoiding triggers and calming the itch without scratching help every type. Moisturising reduced eczema flares across 77 trials.
Related articles
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. Eczema types.
- Nishizawa A. Dyshidrotic eczema and its relationship to metal allergy. Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;51:80-85. PMID 27584966
- van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Christensen R, et al. Emollients and moisturisers for eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD012119. PMID 28166390
- Gu S, Yang AW, Li CG, et al. Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema: a systematic review with a meta-analysis. Dermatology. 2014;228(4):294-302. PMID 24821063
- Migliavaca CB, Lazzarini R, Stein C, et al. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dermatitis. 2025;36(6):575-582. PMID 39134072
Educational information only. Widespread, infected or unclear rashes should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
