Eczema is a pretty common skin condition today. Many people have the condition but not everyone has the same kind. There are many types of eczema. The symptoms are similar but vary according to the type of you might have. Here are five common eczema types.

1. Atopic dermatitis

This type of eczema affects nearly 3% of the adult population of the United States. It tends to run in families and afflicts about 10% of infants born in the US. It is the most common eczema type. The symptoms appear as skin that is itchy and inflamed. The symptoms tend to come and go over time.

2. Contact eczema

Another of the eczema types is contact eczema. This skin condition occurs when your skin has an allergic reaction or is irritated by some substance, usually chemicals found in cleaning products. Some examples of products that might cause contact eczema are cosmetics, perfume, nickel jewelry, laundry detergent and clothing. Your skin reacts by becoming red, burning, and itching around the area where contact with the chemical irritant was made.

3. Seborrheic eczema

This kind of skin inflammation has an unknown cause, but includes symptoms of yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin that can appear on the scalp, face and other parts of the body. It is common for your face to inflame where the creases of your cheeks and nasal fold. Stress, oily skin, and varying weather conditions can all increase the risk of developing this kind of eczema.

4. Nummular eczema

This eczema is characterized by coin shaped patches of inflamed skin which usually appear on the back, buttocks, lower legs and arms. These patches of irritated, extremely itchy skin appear crusty and scaly. This kind of eczema is a chronic skin condition that runs in families so if a family member has this type of eczema, there is an increased chance you might get it too.

5. Neurodermatitis

This type of eczema is a chronic inflammation of your skin that is made worse when you scratch it. It is triggered by a scratch-itch cycle. So even though it itches, you must avoid scratching or the inflammation becomes irritated.

Women tend to have eczema more often than men. It is usually found in people ages 20 through 50. The symptoms can appear anywhere on the body but they are usually found on the lower legs, head, forearms or wrists.

There is currently no known cure for eczema but the symptoms can be managed fairly well. Your doctor may prescribe medication to control the itching. Do what you can to avoid coming into known skin irritants so you don’t trigger an outbreak.