Eczema physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, D.M.D., M.D.

Overview

Eczema is a dermatologic disease and pruritus is the hallmark feature of this disease. ^[1]

Physical Examination

Eczema is a dermatologic disease and pruritus is the hallmark feature of this disease. ^[1]
The clinical presentation of eczema varies with age. ^[2]
The stage of lesion can be determined based on how it appears.
- Acute – crusted, oozing, eroded vesicles, erythematous plaques, or papules.
- Subacute – erythematous scaly plaques or papules.
- Chronic – slightly pigmented, lichenified plaques or excoriations. ^[2]

**Table 1. Summary of Physical Examination.**
System	Findings

General Appearance	Patient with eczema usually appears conscious, coherent, and not in cardiorespiratory distress.
Vital Signs	Patient is usually normotensive and afebrile.
HEENT	Head can be normocephalic.
	Eyes can be normal.
	Ears can be normal.
	Nose can be normal.
	Throat can be normal.
Chest / Lungs	Respiration can be normal.
Cardiovascular	Patient usually has no pertinent findings.
Abdomen	Patient usually has no pertinent findings.
Skin / Extremities	More severe eczema (Image courtesy of Wikipedia). A patch of eczema that has been scratched (Image courtesy of Wikipedia).
Neurologic	Patient usually has no pertinent findings.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Eichenfield LF, Tom WL, Chamlin SL, Feldman SR, Hanifin JM, Simpson EL; et al. (2014). “Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: section 1. Diagnosis and assessment of atopic dermatitis”. J Am Acad Dermatol. 70 (2): 338–51. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.010. PMC 4410183. PMID 24290431.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Kulthanan K, Tuchinda P, Nitiyarom R, Chunharas A, Chantaphakul H, Aunhachoke K; et al. (2021). “Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis”. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 39 (3): 145–155. doi:10.12932/AP-010221-1050. PMID 34246205 Check |pmid= value (help).

Overview