Discoid eczema causes distinctive circular or oval patches of eczema. They may be a few millimetres or several centimetres wide and are usually pink, red or brown.
Discoid eczema can be:
- dry – the patches are dry, cracked and scaly, but not itchy
- wet – the patches are bumpy and blistered (covered with small fluid-filled pockets) and ooze fluid. They may be very itchy and the fluid may dry and crust over.
Patches of discoid eczema may appear first as a dry patch, and then become wet and oozing. The patch may become drier and scalier, and sometimes clear in the middle.
Some people find the itching severe, and if it is bad at night this can affect your sleep. Other people may barely notice the itching. Discoid eczema may also cause a burning or stinging feeling.
You may just have one patch of discoid eczema, or you may have several patches. The skin between the patches will usually be unaffected, although it is often dry. The patches of discoid eczema can last for weeks or months if they are not treated.
Where the patches appear
Discoid eczema can appear anywhere on the body, but does not usually occur on the face or scalp. It most commonly occurs on the:
- lower legs
- forearms
- trunk (the body, excluding the head, neck and limbs)
- hands
- feet
If you treat your discoid eczema and it then returns, the patches may be in the same place as before.
