I have venous eczema. Occasionally a clear fluid discharge occurs. What is this fluid?

[jaffas]

[Hidden]

Its the skin's natural fluid

[loopylou73]

My 3 yr old daughter has this and she gets it when shes been scratching too much and know shes took the top layer of skin off.

[Yaffle]

Hi,

The fluid is made up of skin protein, and the weeping can be a sign of infection. If you're not getting relief with your current skin care regime then you may need to see your doctor.

[Shell567]

Hi jaffas,

Fluid leaks from the veins and into the surrounding tissues.

For further information go to:

dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/ve...

bad.org.uk/site/1376/defaul...

nhs.uk/conditions/eczema-(v...

[darmog]

The clear fluid which may leak from eczematous or otherwise damaged skin is LYMPH which generally goes unnoticed, Any swelling so common in lower legs is from accumulation of lymph which normally drains into lymphatic vessels and ultimately via the Lymphatic Duct into large veins inside the chest (thorax). Lymph is essentially from the plasma of the blood some of which diffuses from the capillaries to bring nutrients to tissues and carry away unwanted materials. There are lymph glands mostly noticeable at places such as groin and armpit. These glands are important part of immune system filtering and purifying the lymph..

Muscle activity of legs helps pump away the lymph. and about one third of each day is spent in horizontal rest and sleep, Treatment of the eczema will include aim to avoid infection spreading under skin leading to an erysipelas and cellulitis. Look up Lymph and Lymphatic system for more detail. See also Lymphedema

Massage has been shown to reduce risk of cellulitis .which requires urgent medical treatment.

I suspect lymph from leg wounds gave rise to an ancient Greek myth of gods in whose veins flowed golden fluid called Ichor on which imortality depended..

[Jingo]

The clear liquid usually appears when an area of broken skin is infected. In my own case a course of flucloxacillian (sp) antibiotics is normally prescribed. Infected eczema I know to be called atopic eczema, and is very uncomfortable. A steroid cream such as betnovate and emollients such as double bass and aveeno come highly recmomended. Personally I had a bad reaction to hydrocotisone so it may be best to seek advice before using it.

[zurraspa]

I had a bit of weeping from eczema blisters when I scratched them and the itching drove me mad. What worked for me was Evening Primrose Oil applied directly to the area of irritation. See my reply to the Itchy Skin question.