Nummulair eczeem of ringworm - Verschillen en overeenkomsten

How do you know if you have ringworm?

Ringworm often creates a ring-shaped rash with a raised, scaly border that snakes its way around the edge like a worm. Some experts believe that the appearance may be where it got its name.

Nummular eczema and ringworm are skin conditions that can cause round patches of itchy skin that vary in color depending on the tone of a person’s skin.

However, these conditions have different causes and treatments, so it is important to be able to differentiate between them.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can spread between people. It is usually treatable with antifungal medications and should clear up within a couple of weeks.

Nummular eczema is an inflammatory skin condition. There is currently no cure for nummular eczema, but keeping the skin hydrated, avoiding known triggers, and using eczema medications can relieve symptoms and help prevent future flare-ups.

Treating discoid eczema

Discoid eczema is usually a long-term problem, but medicines are available to help relieve the symptoms and keep the condition under control.

• emollients – moisturisers applied to the skin to stop it becoming dry
• topical corticosteroids – ointments and creams containing a steroid that are applied to the skin and may relieve severe symptoms
• antihistamines – medicines that can reduce itching

There are also things you can do yourself to help, such as avoiding all the irritating chemicals in soaps, detergents, bubble baths and shower gels.

Additional medicine can be prescribed if your eczema is infected or particularly severe.

Occasionally, areas of skin affected by discoid eczema can be left permanently discoloured after the condition has cleared up.

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• Discoid eczema. (n.d.).
  https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/discoid-eczema/
• Louie, P., et al. (2018). Representations of race and skin tone in medical textbook imagery.
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953618300790
• Ludmann, P. (2021). Eczema types: Nummular eczema self-care.
  https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/nummular-dermatitis/self-care
• Nummular eczema. (n.d.).
  https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/nummular-eczema/
• Overview: Discoid eczema. (2019).
  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/discoid-eczema
• Ringworm: Diagnosis and treatment. (n.d.).
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• Ringworm: Overview. (n.d.).
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• Ringworm: Who gets and causes. (n.d.).
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• Robinson, C. A., et al. (2022). Nummular dermatitis.
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Overview - Discoid eczema

Without treatment, discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or even years. It may also keep coming back – often in the same area that was affected previously.

Discoid eczema causes distinctive circular or oval patches of eczema. It can affect any part of the body, although it does not usually affect the face or scalp.

The first sign of discoid eczema is usually a group of small spots or bumps on the skin. These then quickly join up to form larger patches that can range from a few millimetres to several centimetres in size.

On lighter skin these patches will be pink or red. On darker skin these patches can be a dark brown or they can be paler than the skin around them.

Initially, these patches are often swollen, blistered (covered with small fluid-filled pockets) and ooze fluid. They also tend to be very itchy, particularly at night.

Over time, the patches may become dry, crusty, cracked and flaky. The centre of the patch also sometimes clears, leaving a ring of discoloured skin that can be mistaken for ringworm.

You may just have 1 patch of discoid eczema, but most people get several patches. The skin between the patches is often dry.

Patches of discoid eczema can sometimes become infected. Signs of an infection can include:

• the patches oozing a lot of fluid
• a yellow crust developing over the patches
• the skin around the patches becoming hot, swollen and tender or painful
• feeling sick
• feeling hot or shivery
• feeling unwell