Discoid (Nummular) Eczema

The term nummular means coin-shaped, so both terms describe the characteristic round (or oval) erythematous skin plaques.

This is purely a dermatological condition that does not affect other systems. Infection is common but is secondary rather than causative.

The prevalence is around 2 per 1,000 people. There are 2 peaks of prevalence with age. It is most common in the 60s and 70s when it is more common in men but there is a lesser peak in the teens and 20s when there is a slight female preponderance. It is rare in children.

There may be a past history of atopic eczema and dry or sensitive skin.

• There are characteristic round or oval erythematous plaques. They are most often on the extremities, especially the legs, but they may occur anywhere on the trunk, hands, or feet. The face and scalp are not involved. Lesions are often symmetrical.
• The lesions start as erythematous or violaceous papules or vesicles. They coalesce to form confluent plaques.
• Erosions may appear over the lesions due to excoriation as itch is intense.
• Early lesions, especially vesicles, often have staphylococcal infection, which produces a yellowish crust. Gross infection, with cellulitis surrounding the plaques, requires oral antibiotics.
• After a few days, plaques become dry, scaly and more violaceous, particularly when below the knee. The lesions then flatten to macules, usually with brown hyperpigmentation from the inflammation. It gradually lightens but the pigment may never completely fade, particularly below the knee.
• Plaques may clear in the centre and resemble tinea corporis.
• The condition varies in intensity rather than being constant.
• The eruptions are intensely itchy but they may also burn or sting. Pruritis is always worst at night, almost irrespective of the aetiology.
• There tends to be seasonal variation in intensity. It is worse in cold and dry weather and better in warm and humid conditions.

• Tinea corporis usually has few vesicles, a raised narrow border, and scale on the outside of the plaque.
• Other forms of dermatitis including asteatotic eczema and atopic dermatitis, are very similar but fortunately treatment is similar.
• Contact dermatitis may show a pattern from the offending agent.
• Lichen simplex chronicus often occurs on the lower legs, the neck, the scalp, or the scrotum. It is lichenified or thickened by chronic scratching, more violaceous, and, often, has no clear border.
• Stasis dermatitis may occur simultaneously on the lower extremities, and venous stasis may lead to the development of both conditions.
• Plaques of psoriasis are often found on the extensor surfaces, especially at the elbows and knees and the scalp is often involved. The scale is usually thick and silver.

• Scrapings of lesions should be analysed to exclude tinea
• If there is secondary infection swabs should be taken
• Patch testing may be useful to exclude other causes in severe or persistent cases^1,2
• Biopsy is not usually required

Most patients with discoid eczema have dry sensitive skin. The cause of the condition is unknown but irritation from insect bites, chemical or abrasions may be involved. Venous insufficiency and stasis may aggravate the condition on the lower legs. Severe discoid eczema has been reported after administration of interferon and ribavirin for hepatitis C.³

The basic components of treatment are:

1. Rehydration of the skin
2. Treating infection
3. Reducing inflammation

• Patients should shower or bathe once or twice a day in cool water. Moisturisers or medicated topical preparations should be used to seal the water in the skin.
• If medication is applied to damp skin it helps seal it and aids penetration
• Topical steroids reduce inflammation. Usually mild ones are adequate but in severe disease, stronger steroid applications may be required and in very severe cases oral steroids can be needed. Ointments tend to be more effective than creams. The effect of topical applications can be enhanced by occlusion or by applying ointment on wet skin that has been soaking and has not been dried.⁴
• If there is secondary infection then antibiotics are required. Oral antibiotics, effective against streptococci should be used.
• Antihistamines can reduce pruritis and aid sleep. As the pruritis is not a direct effect of histamine, the sedative effect is more important than the antihistamine action and so the older, sedating ones are needed. A higher dose at night will aid sleep.
• Tar preparations may reduce inflammation, particularly in older, thickened, scaly plaques.
• After the eruption has resolved, continue aggressive hydration to reduce the frequency of attacks, especially in dry climates. Moisturisers for sensitive skin may be applied or petroleum jelly applied to damp skin after showering.
• Resting in a cool, moist environment helps whilst a hot dry environment aggravates the problem.
• Sunlight or phototherapy may benefit chronic cases. Ultraviolet radiation helps reduce the inflammatory activity within the skin but there is risk of heat worsening the pruritis and ultraviolet light has its own problems including carcinogenesis.

• Secondary infection may occur
• Excoriation or infection may leave permanent scars
• Lesions on the lower extremities are slow to heal and may leave permanent brown macules

It tends to be a chronic and recurrent disease. Attention to features that reduce relapse will make life more tolerable.

• Use moisturisers freely to keep the skin well hydrated.
• Avoid hot baths but cool or lukewarm ones are permissible. Do not use soap. Oils may be added to the bath.
• After a bath or shower, pat the skin dry and apply an emollient.
• Wear loose clothes of materials that do not irritate
• A room humidifier may help, especially with central heating or air conditioning.