In eczema sclerosum the skin is thickened, infiltrated, hard, and almost horny. Eczema verrucosum presents similar conditions, but, in addition, displays a tendency to papillary or wart-like hypertrophy. In both varieties the disease is usually seated about the ankle or the foot, developing from the papular or squamous type. They are uncommon, and obstinately chronic.
State the nature of the subjective symptoms in eczema.
Itching, commonly intense, is usually a conspicuous symptom; it may be more or less paroxysmal. In some cases burning and heat constitute the main subjective phenomena.
Is eczema accompanied by febrile or systemic symptoms?
No. In rare instances, in acute universal eczema, slight febrile action, or other systemic disturbance, may be noted at the time of the outbreak.
Is the eczematous eruption (patch or patches) sharply defined against the neighboring sound skin?
No. In almost all instances the diseased area merges gradually and imperceptibly into the surrounding healthy integument.
What is the character of eczema as regards the degree of inflammatory action?
The inflammatory action may be acute, subacute or sluggish in character, and may be so from the start and so continue throughout its whole course; or it may, as is usually the case, vary in intensity from time to time.
State the character of eczema as regards duration.