magazine
Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common chronic inflammatory, non-contagious skin diseases. In our magazine, we provide you with valuable background knowledge and explain typical symptoms, skin areas and the diagnosis. You will also find further information on facts, causes and trigger factors as well as treatment, therapy and the right basic care for neurodermatitis.
Typical symptoms
Severity levels
The severity of atopic dermatitis is classified based on the intensity of the symptoms, the skin changes and the impact on quality of life. The disease can range from mild forms with few symptoms to severe cases that require extensive drug treatment.
Course of neurodermatitis
The good news: around 60% of affected children are symptom-free as young adults . Chronic courses are more common when several family members suffer from atopic dermatitis, hay fever or asthma, when the person also suffers from these diseases or when the course was already severe in childhood.
Neurodermatitis
itch-scratch cycle
Neurodermatitis flare-up
Neurodermatitis usually occurs in phases. There are acute phases in which itchy, inflamed areas dominate your skin, and chronic, phases without phases in which you have few or no symptoms.
Relapse-free phase / chronic neurodermatitis
In a phase without flare-ups, you live largely symptom-free . However, the chronic disease has not completely disappeared even in these phases. The skin does not have any acute, externally visible inflammation, but is still dry, irritated and possibly slightly flaky .
Acute phase / neurodermatitis flare-up
During an acute attack of neurodermatitis, the skin is very red, inflamed and plagued by intense itching, often accompanied by weeping skin patches and open wounds . This triggers a vicious circle: scratching provides short-term relief, but further damages the skin barrier, which in turn triggers a new inflammatory reaction.
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Neurodermatitis
Typical positions
The symptoms of neurodermatitis can appear on different areas of the skin over the course of the disease and depending on age
Infants & Babies
In infants and babies, one often finds flat, firmly adhering, yellowish scales or reddish, sometimes weeping patches of skin on the face, on the scalp (then known as cradle cap) and on the extensor sides of the arms and legs.
Toddlers & Children
In older children, the dry, scaly eczema appears mainly on the extremities, the bends of the joints and the neck; in severe cases, the skin thickens with coarser skin patches (so-called lichenification).
Teenagers & Adults
In adolescents and adults, neurodermatitis often occurs on the crooks of the arms, backs of the knees, wrists, neck, face and décolleté.
neurodermatitis on the head
Neurodermatitis on the head often manifests itself in severe itching and flaky skin, especially on the scalp and neck. If the affected areas are scratched too much, hair loss can occur.
Neurodermatitis on the hands
On the hands, neurodermatitis often manifests itself as cracked, dry and itchy skin. Since the hands often come into contact with external irritants, the symptoms are often made worse by repeated mechanical stress or contact allergies.
Neurodermatitis on the face
On the face, neurodermatitis often appears in the form of redness, dryness and inflamed skin, especially around the eyes and mouth. The sensitive facial skin can easily be irritated by external influences such as weather or cosmetics, which can make the symptoms worse.
Neurodermatitis
diagnosis
There are many typical symptoms that indicate atopic dermatitis. However, other skin diseases can also have similar symptoms. A diagnosis should therefore always be made by a doctor or dermatologist based on various clinical examinations and diagnostic tests.
Clinical examination
Initial consultation : During the first consultation, the doctor conducts a detailed conversation to record the patient's medical history (anamnesis). Typical questions relate to the onset and progression of symptoms, family history and possible triggers such as allergies or stress.
Visible signs and their interpretation : The doctor examines the skin for typical signs of neurodermatitis, such as redness, dryness and flaking. The skin areas are assessed for their distribution and severity, which contributes to the diagnosis and helps to assess the severity of the disease.
Differential diagnosis : In order to differentiate neurodermatitis from other skin diseases such as psoriasis or contact dermatitis, differential diagnoses are made. The doctor compares the symptoms and skin changes with those of other diseases to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnostic tests
Blood tests : Blood tests can measure IgE levels, which are often elevated in allergic reactions. Other relevant parameters may include inflammatory markers or specific antibodies that help with diagnosis and treatment planning.
Biopsy : In some cases, a skin biopsy may be required to take tissue samples and examine them under a microscope. This examination helps to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin diseases by analyzing the cell structure and possible inflammatory processes.
Further procedures
Prick test : The prick test is used to test for allergic reactions to certain substances. It involves introducing allergens into the skin and observing the immediate reaction. The results help to identify allergens that may be contributing to the worsening of atopic dermatitis.
Patch testing : Patch testing is used to diagnose contact allergies. It involves applying various allergens to the skin and observing the reaction over a period of 48 to 72 hours to detect allergic reactions.
Imaging techniques : Dermatoscopy is an imaging technique that allows the skin surface to be examined in detail. This method can help to precisely assess and document skin changes.
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