Eczema physical examination

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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.

Physical Examination

• Eczema is a dermatologic disease and pruritus is the hallmark feature of this disease.
• The clinical presentation of eczema varies with age.
• 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.

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.