dermatologic disorders
Nummular Dermatitis
Introduction
Nummular dermatitis is inflammation of the skin characterized by coin-shaped or discoid eczematous lesions. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment may include topical corticosteroids and phototherapy. (See also Definition of Dermatitis .) Many patients with nummular dermatitis are atopic. In these cases, nummular dermatitis is simply a localized manifestation of Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) (nummular atopic dermatitis). Patients with atopic dermatitis can have nummular plaques side-by-side with other, more common manifestations of atopic dermatitis. However, some patients with nummular dermatitis do not have atopy. In these patients, the etiology is unclear. Bacterial colonization or allergic contact reactions ( General reference ), either at the site of the lesions or elsewhere (autoeczematization or id reaction, dermatitis at sites remote from the site of the initial inflammatory problem or infection) are possible causes. Nummular dermatitis is most common among middle-aged and older patients. 