Neurodermatitis is disease skin chronic which insignai with felt skin patches very itchy, especially if scratched. These patches usually appear on the neck, wrists, arms, thighs or ankles.
Neurodermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus harmless and not contagious. However, the itching it causes can get worse when the patient is resting or if scratched. This can interfere and reduce the patient's quality of life.
Treatment of neurodermatitis aims to reduce the patient's desire to scratch the itchy area, so that this condition does not get worse. However, the underlying causes and risk factors for neurodermatitis need to be identified first.
Causes and Risk Factors for Neurodermatitis
The cause of the emergence of neurodermatitis is still unknown until now. However, this condition is thought to occur due to an overreaction of the nerves in the skin, which can appear when the sufferer experiences stress, anxiety, or depression.
In addition, overreaction to nerves in the skin can also be triggered by several things, namely:
- Tight clothes
- Insect bites
- Bacterial infection
- Injury to nerves
- Dry skin
- Sweat
- Hot weather
- Pollution
- Disorders of blood flow
- Eczema
- Psoriary
- Allergic reaction
Neurodermatitis is rare in children. In contrast, neurodermatitis is known to be more common in people with the following factors:
- Female gender
- 30–50 years old
- Suffering from anxiety disorder
- Have a family who suffers from dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis
Symptoms of Neurodermatitis
Symptoms of neurodermatitis generally begin with the appearance of 1-2 very itchy patches on the surface of the skin. The patches are usually striped or oval in shape with clear edges. The size can vary, ranging from 18 to 60 cm.
These itchy patches can appear on the head, neck, wrists, arms, ankles, genitals (vulva or scrotum), and anus. Other symptoms of neurodermatitis are:
- Itching that gets worse when the spot is scratched
- Pain in the patches from scratching too much, especially the patches on the scalp
- Open wounds and bleeding in the spots due to scratching
- Thickening of the skin on the itchy part due to continuous scratching
- Changes in the color of the patches to red-purple or darker than the surrounding skin
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the following complaints:
- Tend to scratch in the same skin area
- Itching causes disturbances during sleep and activities
- The skin feels sore or infected, which is characterized by pain, redness, pus discharge from the patches, and fever.
If you have other skin problems, such as eczema or psoriasis, consult a dermatologist regarding the possibility of neurodermatitis.
Diagnosis of neurodermatitis
The diagnosis of neurodermatitis begins with questions and answers related to the symptoms experienced by the patient, especially the onset of itching, and the actions taken by the patient. The doctor will also perform a physical examination, especially on the itchy skin.
In addition, the doctor may also perform additional examinations, such as:
- Skin biopsy, which is to take some of the itchy skin tissue and examine it under a microscope
- Allergy test, if itching is suspected due to an allergic reaction
- Swab test on the skin, if itching is suspected due to a skin infection
Neurodermatitis Treatment
Neurodermatitis rarely resolves without treatment. Therefore, proper treatment is necessary.
Treatment of neurodermatitis aims to relieve itching, prevent sufferers from scratching the itchy patches, and treat the cause. To help relieve symptoms, there are several efforts that can be done independently at home, namely:
- Refrain from rubbing and scratching itchy skin.
- Cover itchy skin with a clean bandage or cloth to protect it and prevent the sufferer from scratching it.
- Compress the skin with a cold, wet cloth, so the itching can subside.
- Use an over-the-counter anti-itch cream.
- Keep your nails short to prevent further damage to the skin when scratching.
- Shower with warm water, but not too long.
- Moisturize the skin, especially the itchy area, with a lotion that doesn't contain fragrances or dyes.
- Avoid conditions that can trigger neurodermatitis, such as anxiety, stress, and wearing clothes that are too tight.
If the above efforts have not been able to relieve symptoms, the doctor can give drugs to overcome the complaints suffered by the patient. These drugs are:
- Anti-itch cream
The doctor will prescribe a corticosteroid cream to reduce inflammation and itching of the skin. If a corticosteroid cream doesn't work well, your doctor can give you a non-steroidal anti-itch medication. To treat neurodermatitis of the vulva, tacrolimus ointment can also help relieve symptoms.
- Patch medicine
For itching that is very difficult to go away, the doctor can give a patch such as a patch containing lidocaine and capsaicin to relieve itching and pain in the area affected by neurodermatitis.
- Antihistamines
Antihistamines work to relieve itching and help the sufferer to sleep.
- Injectable corticosteroids
Doctors can inject corticosteroids directly into the skin affected by neurodermatitis to help the healing process.
- Sedativeand antidepressants
Sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants are given to reduce anxiety and stress. This drug is preferred in neurodermatitis patients who often experience anxiety or depression disorders.
In addition to medication, there are several therapies that can be done to help manage symptoms. One of them is light therapy, which is applied directly to the patch area to relieve itching.
In addition, psychotherapy can also be done to help patients control their emotions and behavior. This therapy can help patients to restrain themselves when they want to scratch, so that symptoms do not get worse.
Complications of Neurodermatitis
Severe itching due to neurodermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus, can cause several complications, including:
- Wounds on the skin
- Bacterial infection of the skin
- Changes in skin color
- Permanent scars
- Sleep disturbance
- Disturbances in sexual relations
- Decreased quality of life