Dealing with nummular eczema/dermatitis?

I couldn't find a thread quite like this on Google, so I’m starting one since I’ve just been hit with this diagnosis—plus incipient atopic dermatitis.

It all kicked off around August when I felt this sharp sting in my right leg, way down low. It started with this tiny spot that itched like absolute hell. Then, out of nowhere, these little blisters started spreading out in a circle. I’ve never had allergies for anything in my life.
I hit up a local drugstore and they handed me some Synopsys ointment. Didn't do a damn thing; it just kept spreading and itching. So, I went to my GP. They gave me some Belogent cream and Rinolan tablets. Still nothing. It spread like crazy—my entire right leg from the knee down to the ankle was covered in blisters and constant itching. Eventually, it moved to my elbows, hips, and even my left leg. The elbows have calmed down a bit, though.

I went back to the doctor, and only then did she actually refer me to a dermatologist, who finally gave me these diagnoses and a bunch of tests to run. I did some testing, or whatever—it’s a long story.

He prescribed me Control once a day and a 40% Elocom/Belobaza cream.
The cream only works for a split second—just until it absorbs and my skin dries out, then the itching starts right back up. I’ve realized the itch really hits hardest once the skin is dry.

Nights are the worst part. I haven't slept properly in two months because of this.🙂🙂
Now, I keep some kind of cream by my bed at night—honestly, I've realized it doesn't even matter what kind it is, as long as it's a cream, whether it's for hands or body—and I slather it on my legs, and then the itching settles down for a bit.

I don't have any photos and I’m certainly not posting them... they’re hideous. I can't even shave myself.🙄 But these weren't watery blisters; they were just blister after blister.

Anyway, the question is, is there anyone else here dealing with the same diagnosis?

How are you guys treating it? Does it actually go away? Does the itching stop?

Has anyone actually cured themselves? How? Seriously, how?

One more detail I noticed while digging around online—it says this stuff can be triggered by your mental state, which is pretty much spot on. I went through a massive shock this summer and I still haven't mentally recovered, which I guess makes healing harder, but I just don't have the energy left to deal with an extra layer of stress.

Any advice is welcome, obviously, provided it isn't inappropriate or just plain stupid.

Kimberly Robinson2 said:I couldn't find a thread quite like this on Google, so I’m starting one since I’ve just been hit with this diagnosis—plus incipient atopic dermatitis.

It all kicked off around August when I felt this sharp sting in my right leg, way down low. It started with this tiny spot that itched like absolute hell. Then, out of nowhere, these little blisters started spreading out in a circle. I’ve never had allergies for anything in my life.
I hit up a local drugstore and they handed me some Synopsys ointment. Didn't do a damn thing; it just kept spreading and itching. So, I went to my GP. They gave me some Belogent cream and Rinolan tablets. Still nothing. It spread like crazy—my entire right leg from the knee down to the ankle was covered in blisters and constant itching. Eventually, it moved to my elbows, hips, and even my left leg. The elbows have calmed down a bit, though.

I went back to the doctor, and only then did she actually refer me to a dermatologist, who finally gave me these diagnoses and a bunch of tests to run. I did some testing, or whatever—it’s a long story.

He prescribed me Control once a day and a 40% Elocom/Belobaza cream.
The cream only works for a split second—just until it absorbs and my skin dries out, then the itching starts right back up. I’ve realized the itch really hits hardest once the skin is dry.

Nights are the worst part. I haven't slept properly in two months because of this.🙂🙂
Now, I keep some kind of cream by my bed at night—honestly, I've realized it doesn't even matter what kind it is, as long as it's a cream, whether it's for hands or body—and I slather it on my legs, and then the itching settles down for a bit.

I don't have any photos and I’m certainly not posting them... they’re hideous. I can't even shave myself.🙄 But these weren't watery blisters; they were just blister after blister.

Anyway, the question is, is there anyone else here dealing with the same diagnosis?

How are you guys treating it? Does it actually go away? Does the itching stop?

Has anyone actually cured themselves? How? Seriously, how?

One more detail I noticed while digging around online—it says this stuff can be triggered by your mental state, which is pretty much spot on. I went through a massive shock this summer and I still haven't mentally recovered, which I guess makes healing harder, but I just don't have the energy left to deal with an extra layer of stress.

Any advice is welcome, obviously, provided it isn't inappropriate or just plain stupid.

Has an autoimmune component been ruled out yet?

Dear Madam,

Regarding the causes of the condition you have been diagnosed with, we unfortunately still lack sufficient scientific certainty.

What is established, however, is that it can manifest as a reaction to an inflammatory focus within the body—think bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It seems logical to attempt to identify if such a focus exists. I hope you have been advised to undergo microbiological testing (such as swabs or stool samples), a dental checkup, a gynecological exam, and perhaps an H. pylori test, depending on your specific clinical indications.

If such a focus is identified through testing, treatment should be targeted specifically at the pathogen found.

Furthermore, other factors contribute to the onset of this condition. Skin dryness is one of them. Make sure your skin remains well-hydrated. Avoid long baths; stick to short showers using lukewarm water. You might consider applying olive oil or baby oil before showering, followed immediately by a hydrating cream once you are out.

Avoid synthetic fabrics and wool, and try to steer clear of sudden temperature shifts.

You are correct about stress; it can certainly act as a trigger for flare-ups.

Keep in mind that this is a chronic condition. This means that even after symptoms subside—which can sometimes take months—you may face a recurrence or worsening if the underlying cause isn't identified and managed.

Standard therapy typically involves topical corticosteroids, which you were prescribed (Elocom), and antihistamines (you were given Control). It is vital to complete the full course as directed by your dermatologist. Do not stop the treatment prematurely, for instance, due to concerns regarding corticosteroid use.

Best regards. 🙂

Post above the last one:

No, we still don't have a definitive answer.

Microbiological testing (throat swabs, stool samples), dental and OBGYN exams if necessary, and an H. pylori test.

I’ve done the swabs—throat and nose both show normal flora, which is fine. Candida in the stool came back negative. Blood work looks okay, though there's a bit of anemia. H. pylori came back positive. I took a handful of those nasty pills for about ten days. As for the OBGYN, I had swabs done previously—twice—where the first one was positive for something, I went through treatment, and everything's been fine since then. Pap smear was normal too. I’ve been on birth control for the last two months—tried two different brands. The only thing I haven't checked is my thyroid hormones because my doctor is a total mess. She gave me a referral but then claimed all my paperwork was already sitting in the lab computer and told me to just hand over the black copay slip. Apparently, that hormone test isn't covered by insurance either, though I'm not sure how much it costs. So, I didn't bother doing it yet since I have a follow-up this Tuesday. I also haven't made the trip into downtown Chicago to get the ASTO and Asta tests done at the infectious disease clinic.
I'll see what happens during Tuesday's appointment and if they decide I need more testing.

The dermatologist recommended some specific oil, but it won't arrive until $33, and honestly, I'm broke right now. Plus, I’d have to pay extra for the cream itself. I’m constantly applying stuff, but it feels useless... I'm absorbing it like a sponge.

I try to keep the humidity up in the apartment by drying clothes indoors so the air doesn't get too dry. I'm drinking plenty of water.
But the itching... God, it just itches and itches. To give you an idea of what that feels like... imagine being bitten by a hundred mosquitoes all at once on a tiny 5x5 patch of skin. It makes you want to tear yourself apart. I end up scratching until I'm bleeding, and then it just itches even more. It's miserable.

I suspect that while there might be a psychological component—I deal with frequent bouts of depression, crying spells, and total lethargy (even though I’m naturally a cheerful, outgoing, optimistic person)—all triggered by this whole mess with love, a divorce, being cheated on, miscarriages, money troubles, and dealing with certain people... there has to be something physically wrong inside my body, too.

So, this is actually the first time I’ve seen anyone else dealing with these exact same symptoms... about a month and a half ago, I noticed three little bumps on my hip. Honestly, they looked just like insect bites or something. I tried slathering on all sorts of different creams, but nothing really did the trick. After a while, the area started spreading out and turned into this pretty large, itchy patch of eczema. To make things worse, about a week ago, I suddenly broke out in these tiny, super itchy bumps all over my body. I went to see my doctor, and they told me it's some kind of allergy and that there's inflammation going on inside my system. I've been taking some antibiotics, which helped a little bit, I guess, but those bumps are still hanging around. I was wondering, does anyone know if an allergy like this could actually be caused by something more serious??😕

I can't believe I'm not the only one struggling with this... I thought I was alone.
For me, it all started two years ago with a single tiny spot on my forearm. I was convinced something had bitten me because the itching was absolutely maddening. Three weeks later, that spot had expanded into a two-inch red patch that wouldn't stop itching. I went to a dermatologist in downtown Chicago, and they prescribed a corticosteroid cream mixed with acetylsalicylic acid, which cleared it up. But after a while, the same thing popped up on my legs... and during the winter, on my face too. I eventually saw a specialist at a major hospital... diagnosed with nummular atopic dermatitis, or nummular eczema. I went through a mountain of tests: swabs, blood work, autoimmune markers... everything came back negative. Finally, I did full allergy testing, and the only culprit was a nickel allergy. I stopped wearing costume jewelry and haven't worn a watch since. I can say things have improved significantly, but it hasn't vanished entirely... and I doubt it ever will.😢
The only silver lining is that I don't wake up in the middle of the night scratching myself like a maniac anymore.
My dermatitis is always limited to my arms, legs, and occasionally my face. My torso, back, and chest stay clear. What I've learned is that the golden rule is: your skin must NEVER be dry. I apply moisturizer 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times a day using whatever neutral creams are available. It doesn't matter if they are expensive or budget brands; the effect is the same. Every once in a while, when things get really bad, I have to use corticosteroids for a few days... but that's just how it is.😢

I hope this long-winded post helps someone out somehow.😉

Oh man, I can't believe I actually found someone else dealing with this exact same thing. Well, at least we can swap tips or whatever, right? xD... Regarding my skin, I’ve definitely noticed that if it gets too dry, things go south fast. I’ve been using Neutrogena and it helps a bit, but the breakouts just keep coming... I honestly have no clue what it is. It's such a nightmare. I don't even have an official diagnosis yet; looks like I'm in for a mountain of tests and doctor visits. It's just... one day everything feels fine, and the next, the itching is absolutely unbearable!! I guess I can't help but wonder if it could be something more serious that shows up like this 🤷... and then, if I accidentally scratch a pimple, it flares up and starts looking like it's turning into eczema😠.. Has that ever happened to you guys??

mistyfox15, there’s no need to panic. Most descriptions of this condition point toward a simple allergy or some internal inflammation rather than anything malignant. If you're worried about something more serious, go see a dermatologist. They can order the necessary workups: blood panels, urinalysis, autoimmune markers like ANA, throat and nasal swabs, vaginal cultures, and allergy testing—including RIST, RAST, or patch tests.
I went through all of that myself and ended up with a nickel allergy. Whether that's the sole cause of my condition? Who knows. But my skin has definitely improved since I started being careful.
To me, every patch of eczema starts out looking like a tiny, intensely itchy spot. Once I inevitably scratch it because the itch is unbearable, it starts weeping fluid. Then the itching intensifies, and it spreads into a red, eczematous circle about 3-5 mm wide.

Brandon Palmer7, thanks, I feel a little better now... honestly, I’ve been spiraling a bit reading up on all the different conditions linked to pruritus... and for me, this itching has just been constant in a few spots for ages, and then suddenly it starts popping up everywhere else too.. it's just all over my body at this point.. so now I'm wondering, is this something you can actually cure, or is it more of a "manage it" kind of thing? ..I don't even have a full diagnosis yet; they just told me it was eczematoid dermatitis, but my doctor didn't really give me any follow-up info on what that actually means.. and yeah, I'd never even heard of anyone having something like this before..

A few posts back, Nicholas Myers mentioned this is a chronic condition. That means you’ll never truly cure it. You might manage to heal the current flare-ups and get some relief—maybe for a month, maybe for six—but it’s unpredictable. Eventually, it will return. It usually pops up in the exact same spots. You'll likely see improvements during the summer thanks to the humidity and ocean air, but the dry winter chill tends to make things worse.

Nummular eczematous dermatitis is essentially synonymous with nummular atopic dermatitis. It's just a specific subtype of atopic dermatitis. While classic AD presents with irregular, larger patches, the nummular variety shows up as distinct, coin-shaped lesions. The treatment approach is pretty much the same. Hopefully, that clears things up so you don't have to be so anxious about what you're facing.😉

That makes much more sense... thanks for clearing that up. I'll probably do some more digging online to pin down exactly what we're dealing with, and once I have a better idea, I'll let you know. But until then, I guess we can just enjoy this endless cycle of itching and applying creams... oh, and I was actually wondering, what kind of neutral moisturizer do you use? I've been sticking with Neutrogena lately, and it seems okay so far, I suppose.

Neutrogena works fine if you aren't allergic to parabens. I’ve used it myself and had no issues 😉 since I don't have that allergy.
I’ve cycled through about 50 different creams and lotions, and honestly, I haven't found a single one that hits all the marks. My list includes everything from Adermá to Uriage Pruriced, Eucerin with urea, and various baby brands like Hipp, Balee, and Johnson's...
Right now, I'm using a Hippov product. Generally, I stick to baby products because they cut out the preservatives, fragrances, and other unnecessary junk.

Alright, I’ve uploaded some photos showing what my legs look like right now. It’s not just my legs, though—I have patches on my left arm and on the right side of my body, right around my kidney area.

As for my skin—specifically my legs—this is the situation (and please, don't judge the appearance, since shaving is basically impossible right now):

http://i44.tinypic.com/2zsaf76.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/358nzwj.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/e7m2ky.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2vbpowm.jpg

And this is the left one: (honestly, it looks better compared to the right side)

http://i44.tinypic.com/2dkac2d.jpg

I’ve tried everything under the sun—from allergy pills to antibiotics—and nothing works. For now, it’s staying quiet, meaning it isn't spreading, though it does seem to migrate to different spots every now and then.

For those of you dealing with this, I have one question—if you feel like answering.

Are you going through any major issues in your life?

In my case, this flared up because of some massive shock I went through—just a brutal stretch of mental anguish, psychological stress, and financial crisis. Plus, relationship drama...
I read somewhere that if you're facing significant life problems, stress, or constant worry, it can actually manifest on your skin.

So, theoretically, I should be healing my soul, but how exactly do you do that? 🤷

Brandon Palmer7 said:I can't believe I'm not the only one struggling with this... I thought I was alone.
For me, it all started two years ago with a single tiny spot on my forearm. I was convinced something had bitten me because the itching was absolutely maddening. Three weeks later, that spot had expanded into a two-inch red patch that wouldn't stop itching. I went to a dermatologist in downtown Chicago, and they prescribed a corticosteroid cream mixed with acetylsalicylic acid, which cleared it up. But after a while, the same thing popped up on my legs... and during the winter, on my face too. I eventually saw a specialist at a major hospital... diagnosed with nummular atopic dermatitis, or nummular eczema. I went through a mountain of tests: swabs, blood work, autoimmune markers... everything came back negative. Finally, I did full allergy testing, and the only culprit was a nickel allergy. I stopped wearing costume jewelry and haven't worn a watch since. I can say things have improved significantly, but it hasn't vanished entirely... and I doubt it ever will.😢
The only silver lining is that I don't wake up in the middle of the night scratching myself like a maniac anymore.
My dermatitis is always limited to my arms, legs, and occasionally my face. My torso, back, and chest stay clear. What I've learned is that the golden rule is: your skin must NEVER be dry. I apply moisturizer 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times a day using whatever neutral creams are available. It doesn't matter if they are expensive or budget brands; the effect is the same. Every once in a while, when things get really bad, I have to use corticosteroids for a few days... but that's just how it is.😢

I hope this long-winded post helps someone out somehow.😉

Man...😲 it was the exact same thing for me. I was sitting outside at work when suddenly I felt something sting me. I didn't see what it was, just a tiny red dot that scabbed over so fast and started itching so intensely that I actually let out a whimper. My doctor told me it must have been a venomous spider or something similar. But from that single little dot, blisters—well, raised bumps—started spreading rapidly, the skin hardened, and the itch became unbearable...🙂

There have been countless times where I've wanted to just grab a knife and scrape my own skin off... the itching is that bad.🙂

In a way, it's a blessing it's winter, because I have no idea how I'd manage wearing shorts with my legs looking like this...😢 Though I still wear wool stockings when it's cold... and even those are starting to bother me now.😢

Kimberly Robinson2 said:. My doctor actually told me I got bitten by some venomous spider or something like that. But from that one little dot, blisters—well, more like bumps on the skin—started spreading fast, the skin got all hard, and the itching was just unbearable..

My doctor also thought maybe it was an insect bite, but in the end, it turned out to be something else entirely... she thought it might have been a venomous spider too, or whatever..
..now that I've looked at your photos, I'm not even sure if what I have is the same thing as yours, even though the way the problem started felt identical.. my bumps are really visible, they don't look quite as swollen or like I got stung by a nettle or anything.. it's more like tiny red spots that itch like crazy, and if I scratch them too much, they start getting bigger, you know, turning into eczema.. I'll take some pictures in a few days, then you can see for yourself... as for the stress part... well, who isn't living stressed out these days? I mean, I've dealt with my fair share of stuff, so maybe there's a psychological component to it too. I don't know, we'll see.🤷

I just snapped some more photos of my legs—freshly moisturized with that honey-infused oil lotion from Balee. A fellow member on this forum was kind enough to gift it to me today, so I wanted to give her a quick shout-out here. Huge thanks to her for the five bottles, and a massive thank you to everyone else who’s sent over various creams lately. It's much appreciated.

Don't mention it—honestly, I’m just glad someone actually found those skincare recommendations useful. It’s about time we got some decent stuff in the rotation. No need to make a big deal out of it; I just hate seeing people waste money on junk that doesn't work. Happy to help.

Fotkić is being incredibly temperamental—I actually tried testing it out in a few different positions and kept messing around with the settings just to see if I could catch it at its best, but honestly, from what I can tell, it’s just not happening.

But, hey, that’s just how it looks.
Managed to actually get around to shaving my legs one evening—small wins, I guess. 🤣)

I can't see the image you're trying to share—the link isn't working on my end. If there was something specific in that photo you wanted me to look at or comment on, you'll have to try uploading it again or just describe what's going on. I'm sitting here ready to dive in, but I can't exactly analyze a broken link.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—looks like that link might be broken or dead. If there was some specific point you were trying to make or a screenshot you wanted me to weigh in on, just drop the details or try a new link. I'm sitting here ready to dive into the weeds once you actually give me something to work with.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—the link isn't working. If you want me to take a look at something or give you my two cents on it, you'll have to try uploading it again or just describe what we're looking at. I'm sitting here ready to go, but I can't exactly analyze a broken link.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—looks like that link might be broken or dead. If you've got something specific you want me to look at or talk about, just drop the details or try a different link. I'm sitting here ready to dive in, but I can't exactly analyze a ghost.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—the link seems to be broken or dead. If you want me to take a look at something, you'll need to find a working link or just describe what's going on in the photo. I'm all ears, though.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—the link isn't working on my end. If you want me to take a look at whatever it is, just upload the file directly or drop a fresh link. I'm ready when you are.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—looks like that link might be broken or dead. If there was something specific in that photo you wanted me to weigh in on, just describe it or try another link. I'm ready when you are.

I can't see the image you're trying to share—looks like that link might be broken or dead. If there was something specific you wanted me to take a look at or comment on, just drop the details or try a different link. I'm standing by.

I've got a follow-up appointment with my dermatologist tomorrow... I'll let you guys know what they have to say once it's over.😉

Just got back from my follow-up appointment with the dermatologist.

Not much has changed, really—except that I actually pushed him to prescribe allergy testing this time. It felt like a waste of time just popping pills and slathering on various creams if they aren't actually fixing the root cause; at best, they’re just numbing the agony of the itching.

So, looks like I’m in for some needle pricks on my arm soon....🙄😁

Kimberly Robinson2, it's hard to say much just from a photo since the quality isn't great, but it looks like nummular atopic dermatitis to me...
Could psychological stress have been the trigger? Perhaps. But that's rarely the root cause. Usually, there's an underlying allergy involved. That’s why getting allergy testing is a smart move. Did your doctor send you for both prick and scratch tests?

I’m heading to see my doctor tomorrow morning—she’s switched to afternoon hours now—and I might as well swing by the allergist right after. Honestly, I have no clue if I need an appointment first, and I really don't feel like making two separate trips if I can avoid it.

Look, I realize the photo quality is pretty trash... they’re just cheap snapshots, really.🙂

I actually just took some shots using my even older Olympus—which is basically half-broken and has half the megapixels of my newer one—and somehow the pictures came out better than the ones from the newer camera... weird, I know.🙂 😲

Anyway, here are the latest shots from the old camera, taken in natural daylight (I tried the newer one too, but it’s just more junk quality).

Two of the right leg (that side is a total mess) and one shot of the left leg (it looks a bit better so far, things have receded slightly):

http://i39.tinypic.com/35iozyw.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/242hnau.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/3008ca0.jpg

It doesn't show up clearly on my arm, so you wouldn't be able to tell from a photo. You can feel the bumps, though.

Lucky you guys, actually getting sent off for tests or whatever... my doctor won't even bother, she thinks it's just a waste of time. So now I'm stuck using Diprosone and zinc paste on these breakouts that are literally everywhere on my body. Nothing is getting better, honestly, they're just popping up new 😠 constantly. It looks like I’ll have to just go somewhere out of pocket without a referral. Does anyone have any recommendations? Like, where's a decent clinic to hit up if I don't want to deal with the insurance referral headache?

GO GET IT! They have to give you a referral! Otherwise, just switch ☕

I’ve got an appointment with an allergist on April 1st. Heading in to get tested—turns out I might actually be allergic to something. Honestly, I don't even have a clue what could be triggering me...🤷 As long as it isn't chocolate or anything sweet, I'll be fine...🙂🙂