Nummular Dermatitis

Nummular Dermatitis.

Nummular dermatitis is a form of eczema with round, coin-shaped patches of scaly, itchy, pink and sometimes oozy skin. It is often seen in people who do not have a personal or family history of eczema or atopic dermatitis and can occur in men or women of any age. It can be considered a “tipping-point” eczema because the skin barrier gets dried out enough that it “tips” into eczema. Nummular Dermatitis is often associated with infection by a virus like molluscum or Staphylococcus aureus somewhere else on the body.


Recommended Regimen

For flares:

  • Apply Truelipids® Eczema Experts 1% Hydrocortisone Barrier Cream in a very thick layer to affected areas 2-4 times a day.  Avoid long-term use on the eyelids or folds of the skin. (Please see directions and warnings on the box.) For children under 2, please consult a physician.
  • Apply a thick layer of TrueLipids® Relieve and Protect Ointment to all affected areas; also include areas of the skin that have no sign of eczema. This heavy, hypoallergenic moisturizer can help prevent future flares.

For maintenance:

  • Once the skin has returned to a state that is close to normal, continue to use one of the following products as a maintenance moisturizer to prevent the “tipping” into excessive dryness effect:
  • TrueLipids® Ointment (the heaviest, most effective moisturizer for super dry skin)
  • TrueLipids® Cream (a luxuriously thick maintenance cream for dry skin)
  • TrueLipids® Lotion (for dry skin on the face).

Continue the above regimen as long as the skin is continuing to improve. If you see little improvement, or if your level of improvement seems to have plateaued, you may consider using a benzoyl peroxide wash on the entire body daily for a week or so, OR consider involving your dermatologist who may prescribe prescription steroids, a topical or oral antibiotic, or other products to help address any components of Staph. aureus. If associated with a minor Staph. infection on the skin, nummular dermatitis may not improve unless it is addressed by a dermatologist.

For more information about Nummular Dermatitis, please see our Nummular Dermatitis Library.




"My 2 year old daughter developed an ugly, patchy rash over most of her body during about a 9 month period. Her formerly soft, smooth baby skin was rough to the touch and so unsightly that we didn't like to take her to the public swimming pool for fear the parents of other kids might think it was contagious. We tried several skin-care products including Vaseline and some high-end lotions sampled to us from the dermatology office. Nothing helped. If anything, the problem seemed to gradually get worse. Finally, Dr. Cheryl Lee Eberting, gave us some of her True Lipids ointment to try. Within one day, I could tell my daughter's skin was starting to heal. Within 1 week I would say her skin was 90% back to wonderful, smooth baby skin. Within 2 weeks, it was 99% better! The effectiveness of the TrueLipids ointment in my daughter's case was truly stunning."

Rick, father of Grace, Age 2