Description

Neurodermatitis is a skin condition that begins with an itching in the area of the skin. Scratching makes it itch more. With more than scratching, the skin becomes thick and leathery. You can develop several itchy spots, usually in the neck, the wrists, forearms, legs, or groin area.

Neurodermatitis — also known as lichen simplex chronicus — is not life-threatening or contagious. But the itching can be so intense that it disrupts your sleep, sexual function and quality of life.

Breaking the itch-scratch cycle of neurodermatitis is a challenge, and neurodermatitis is usually a long-term condition. It can be cured with treatment, but often returns. The treatment focuses on the control of the itching and the prevention of scratching. It can also help to identify and eliminate the factors that exacerbate their symptoms, such as dryness of the skin.

Symptoms

The symptoms of neurodermatitis include:

  • An itchy, scaly skin patches
  • Open sores that bleed
  • Thick, leathery skin
  • Faded, wrinkled skin of the genital area
  • Raised, rough areas that are inflamed or darker than the rest of the skin

The condition involves areas that can get you to scratch the scalp, the neck, the wrists, forearms, ankles, vulva, scrotum, and anus. The itching, which may be severe, can appear and disappear, or be non-stop. You can scrape the skin of the usual and while you sleep.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care provider if home remedies do not help him after two days and:

  • You catch yourself repeatedly scratching the same patch of skin
  • The itching that keeps you from sleeping or concentrating in their daily routines

Seek medical attention right away if your skin becomes painful, or looks infected, and you have a fever

Causes

The exact cause of neurodermatitis is not known. It can be caused by anything that irritates the skin, such as tight clothing or a bug bite. The more you scratch, the more it itches.

Sometimes, neurodermatitis goes along with other conditions of the skin such as dry skin, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Stress and anxiety can also cause itching.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of neurodermatitis include:

  • Age. The condition is more common among people between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age.
  • Other conditions of the skin. People who have, or have had other skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, are more likely to develop neurodermatitis.
  • The history of the family. People whose blood relatives have or have ever had hay fever, infantile eczema or asthma may be more likely to develop neurodermatitis.
  • The anxiety disorders. The anxiety and emotional stress can trigger neurodermatitis.

Complications

Persistent scratching can lead to a wound, a bacterial skin infection or permanent scarring and changes in the color of the skin (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation postinflammatory). The itch neurodermatitis can affect your sleep, sexual function and quality of life.

Diagnosis

To see if you have neurodermatitis, your health care provider will examine your skin and talk with you about your symptoms. To rule out other conditions, your doctor may take a small sample of the affected skin to be examined under a microscope in a laboratory. This test is called a biopsy of the skin.

Treatment

The treatment for neurodermatitis focuses on the control of itching, avoiding scratches and addressing the underlying causes. Even with the success of the treatment, the condition often returns. Your health care provider may suggest one or more of the following treatments:

  • Anti-itch creams. If the steroid cream that can be in a store is not helping, your health care provider may prescribe a strong corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-itch product with a calcineurin inhibitor such as tacrolimus (Protopic) or pimecrolimus (Elidel). A calcineurin inhibitor may be useful in the relief of itching in sensitive areas, such as the genitals.
  • Injections of corticosteroids. Your doctor may inject corticosteroids directly into the affected skin to help it heal.
  • Medications to relieve itching. Prescription antihistamines help relieve the itching in many people with neurodermatitis. Some of these drugs can cause drowsiness and help prevent scratches while you sleep.
  • Anti-anxiety drugs. Because of that anxiety and stress can trigger neurodermatitis, anti-anxiety medications can help prevent itching.
  • The medicated patches. For stubborn itching, your doctor may suggest that lidocaine or capsaicin (kap-SAY-ih-sin) patches.
  • OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injection. This technique can be useful for people who have not had success with other treatments.
  • The light therapy. This technique can also be useful for people who have not had success with other treatments. It is the exposure of the affected skin to certain types of light.
  • Talk therapy. Talking with a counselor can help you to learn how emotions and behaviors can fuel or prevent itching and scratching. Your counselor may suggest some behavioral techniques to try.

Lifestyle and home remedies

These self-care measures can help you manage neurodermatitis:

  • Stop rubbing and scratching. The itching can be intense, but avoid rubbing and scratching is the key to managing your condition and prevent the itch to go back.
  • Apply cool, wet cloths. These may calm the skin and relieve itching. Put a cool, damp cloth on the affected skin for a few minutes before applying a medicated cream. This helps the cream to penetrate the skin.
  • Try cooling lotions. Apply calamine lotion or a lotion containing camphor or menthol.
  • Try over the counter medications.Apply an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. Do this three times a day for two days. Hydrocortisone cream may temporarily relieve the itching. If you store the cream in the refrigerator, it is cool and soothing when used. Or try a drug with cream of menthol or pramoxine (CeraVe, Scabies, etc.) to help relieve the itch. An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can relieve the severe itching and help you sleep. Some people have success with capsaicin cream, but it can sting at first.
  • Cover the affected area. Bandages or dressings can help protect the skin and prevent scratching. These can be particularly useful if you scratch him in his sleep.
  • Keep nails trimmed. Short nails you can do less damage to the skin, especially if you tend to zero, while you are asleep. You could try to use gloves when you sleep too much.
  • Take short, lukewarm baths and moisturize your skin.Prepare the bath water warm — not hot — water. Sprinkle in flour and oat-based, also called colloidal, bathroom product (Aveeno). Use mild soaps without dyes or perfumes. Limit bathing time and frequency. Ideally, shower or bath, not more than once a day, and try to limit your shower or bath to 10 minutes or less. After washing, dry the skin and apply a moisturizer without fragrance.
  • To avoid the triggers. Notice what seems to put on a replay and avoid that. For example, if a stressful event triggers the itching, try to learn stress management techniques.

Try over the counter medications. Apply an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. Do this three times a day for two days. Hydrocortisone cream may temporarily relieve the itching. If you store the cream in the refrigerator, it is cool and soothing when used. Or try a drug with cream of menthol or pramoxine (CeraVe, Scabies, etc.) to help relieve the itch.

An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can relieve the severe itching and help you sleep. Some people have success with capsaicin cream, but it can sting at first.

Take short, lukewarm baths and moisturize your skin. Prepare the bath water warm — not hot — water. Sprinkle in flour and oat-based, also called colloidal, bathroom product (Aveeno). Use mild soaps without dyes or perfumes. Limit bathing time and frequency. Ideally, shower or bath, not more than once a day, and try to limit your shower or bath to 10 minutes or less.

After washing, dry the skin and apply a moisturizer without fragrance.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the skin called a dermatologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms that you've had and for how long
  • Key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your health care provider

For neurodermatitis, some basic questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my itching?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • Do I need any tests?
  • Is the itching ever stop?
  • What treatments are recommended?
  • What side effects can I expect from treatment?
  • What else could help?
  • How long will it take for my skin to be better?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • Do your symptoms come and go, or are fairly constant?
  • What products do you use in the skin, such as soaps, lotions, and cosmetics?
  • What measures have been taken to manage the itching?
  • Have any of these measures helped?
  • You've been stressed or anxious lately?
  • How much your symptoms affect your quality of life, including your ability to sleep?
Symptoms and treatment of Neurodermatitis