Neurodermatitis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory , non-contagious skin diseases. Neurodermatitis typically manifests itself in the form of a skin rash that occurs in phases and dry, sometimes scaly eczema . The skin barrier is disrupted and loses fluid as a result. The constant main symptoms such as itching and skin irritation can lead to sleep disorders, social withdrawal and emotional stress. Neurodermatitis therefore not only affects the external appearance of the body, but often also affects the mental health of those affected.

Neurodermatitis differs from other skin diseases, such as psoriasis or contact dermatitis, primarily in its causes and symptoms . Neurodermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a disrupted skin barrier that often occurs in conjunction with allergic reactions. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is caused by an overproduction of skin cells, which leads to thick, scaly plaques, with no direct connection to allergies. Contact dermatitis is triggered by contact with irritants or allergens and usually only affects the affected areas of skin, while the symptoms often subside quickly once the trigger is removed.

You may also be familiar with other terms for neurodermatitis. In medical terms, skin affected by neurodermatitis is often referred to as atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema or, rarely, allergic dermatitis . Atopic means that the body reacts allergically to contact with otherwise harmless substances or environmental factors such as pollen, house dust mites, food or animal hair. This physical reaction is often genetic. In addition to neurodermatitis, typical atopic diseases also include asthma and hay fever .

Neurodermatitis usually occurs in babies and toddlers and often improves during puberty. However, it is rare for neurodermatitis to develop after the age of 5. In Germany , every 4th baby or toddler is affected by neurodermatitis . This makes it the most common chronic disease in childhood.

But there are also cases in which neurodermatitis suddenly appears between the ages of 20 and 40, or even after the age of 65. Neurodermatitis does not discriminate in terms of skin color, it can occur in people of any skin color. Other atopic diseases such as asthma or allergies (e.g. hay fever) often occur over time.

Neurodermatitis shows some differences in frequency depending on gender. In childhood, boys are affected slightly more often than girls . However, this trend evens out in adulthood, so that women then suffer from neurodermatitis more frequently overall .

It is suspected that hormonal differences and gender-specific immune reactions could play a role. Some women therefore develop severe atopic dermatitis during pregnancy or sometimes during menopause , even though they were not previously affected or only slightly affected by it.

Genetic factors play a key role in the development of atopic dermatitis, as atopic dermatitis can be inherited . The risk of atopic dermatitis and other atopic diseases increases significantly if both parents are affected.

If one parent suffers from atopic dermatitis or another atopic disease such as asthma or hay fever, the risk for the child is around 20-40%. If both parents are affected, the risk increases to 60-80% . However, inheritance does not occur directly for the disease itself, but for the genetic predisposition to atopic reactions, which is why other atopic diseases can also occur.

The human skin is populated by a variety of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These normally live in a harmonious balance with each other and protect the skin from external influences such as allergens, bacteria and environmental factors.

In people with atopic dermatitis, this balance is disturbed by a change in the composition of microorganisms . This disruption leads to increased water loss and makes the skin dry, cracked and prone to inflammation. This allows irritants to penetrate more easily, leading to the typical symptoms of the disease.

The immune system is our body's defense system. In atopic dermatitis, the immune system reacts excessively to environmental stimuli , which leads to an increased production of IgE and other antibodies.

This overreaction contributes significantly to the development of redness, inflammation and itching, which are characteristic of the disease.

In addition to genetic influences, environmental factors, i.e. external factors such as climate, diet, stress and lifestyle, are crucial for the triggering and worsening of neurodermatitis. These external influences can affect both the onset and the progression of the disease, which is why they are also referred to as so-called trigger factors . These are individual for each affected person and can also change over time.