Neurodermatitis treatment

Neurodermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of neuroallergic origin, which is accompanied by pronounced itching, dryness, and characteristic changes of the skin. The disease has a recurrent course and can affect various areas of the body, significantly impacting well-being and quality of life.

At the medical center «Оксфорд Медікал», dermatologists will help determine the form of the disease, the causes of its development, and select an effective treatment regimen taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

You can schedule a consultation at a convenient time for you — by phone through the contact center or via the online form on the clinic’s website.

The causes of neurodermatitis are associated with disorders of the nervous system and immune regulation, as well as increased skin sensitivity to external and internal factors. The disease does not have a single specific cause; usually it develops under the influence of several factors simultaneously.

The main causes and provoking factors of neurodermatitis include:

• hereditary predisposition — dermatological and allergic diseases in close relatives;
• disorders in the functioning of the immune system and neuroendocrine regulation;
• hormonal changes;
• prolonged contact of the skin with irritating substances;
• concomitant diseases of the digestive system or metabolism;
• chronic stress, emotional overstrain, sleep disturbances.

Understanding possible provoking factors of neurodermatitis helps reduce the frequency of exacerbations, control the course of the disease, and timely adjust treatment.

Depending on the nature of the lesion and the extent of the pathological process, several clinical forms of the disease are distinguished. Such a classification helps more accurately determine the features of the disease course and choose the optimal treatment strategy.

According to the extent of the process, the following are distinguished:

• limited neurodermatitis — lesions with clear boundaries that are localized on individual areas of the skin; therefore, it is also called focal neurodermatitis;
• diffuse neurodermatitis — characterized by widespread skin involvement, may spread over the entire body, and is accompanied by itching and a tendency to frequent exacerbations.

Clinical variants of limited neurodermatitis:

• hypertrophic neurodermatitis — accompanied by significant thickening and compaction of the skin in the affected area;
• linear neurodermatitis — manifests as lesions in the form of stripes, more often affects the arms and legs;
• follicular neurodermatitis — characterized by damage to the skin around hair follicles with the formation of small nodular elements.

Each form has its own clinical features; therefore, accurate determination of the type of neurodermatitis is an important stage in establishing the diagnosis and planning further treatment.

Symptoms of neurodermatitis may vary depending on the stage of the disease and the activity of the inflammatory process. During periods of exacerbation, manifestations are more pronounced, while during remission the intensity of symptoms decreases, but the skin’s tendency to dryness and irritation remains.

Neurodermatitis can affect various areas of the body. The localization of rashes influences the severity of symptoms and the course of the disease.

Most often, manifestations of neurodermatitis are observed in the following areas:

• face — neurodermatitis on the face develops mainly in the area around the mouth and eyes, accompanied by pronounced itching and dry skin;
• neck — one of the typical affected areas where the skin is thin and sensitive;
• hands and palms — neurodermatitis in these areas is often associated with constant mechanical irritation;
• legs — rashes may appear on the shins or in the area of flexures;
• abdomen and other areas of the body — in the case of a widespread process, lesions may cover large body surfaces;
• genitals — neurodermatitis of the genital organs requires special attention due to the increased risk of complications.

In most patients, neurodermatitis has a focal character and manifests as lesions of individual skin areas.

If persistent changes appear in any area, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist to clarify the diagnosis and select treatment.

During the consultation, the doctor performs a detailed examination of the skin, evaluates the nature of changes, their localization, the duration of symptoms, and the frequency of exacerbations.

Collection of medical history is of great importance: the patient’s complaints, the presence of chronic diseases, the influence of stress factors, as well as the relationship of symptoms with possible irritants are clarified. This allows for a better understanding of the mechanism of disease development and identification of provoking factors.

In most cases, the diagnosis of neurodermatitis is established clinically. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations for differential diagnosis, including laboratory tests.

Exacerbation of the disease during this period may be associated with hormonal changes, increased skin sensitivity, and emotional stress.

Treatment of neurodermatitis during pregnancy requires a particularly balanced approach, since the choice of therapy must take into account not only the condition of the woman’s skin but also the possible impact on the course of pregnancy.

The main emphasis is placed on non-drug methods and gentle topical therapy. The doctor selects skin care products that help reduce dryness and itching.

Self-medication during pregnancy is unacceptable. Timely and correct treatment allows stabilizing the skin condition and reducing the risk of exacerbations.

Exacerbation of neurodermatitis is usually manifested by an intensification of symptoms and the appearance of new or more pronounced skin changes. At this stage, it is important for a dermatologist to help adjust skin care and the treatment program.

The main signs of exacerbation include:

• a sharp increase in itching, especially in the evening and at night;
• appearance or increase in the area of rashes and redness;
• increasing skin dryness, a feeling of tightness, irritation;
• thickening of the skin in the affected areas due to scratching.

If symptoms progress rapidly or signs of infection appear (oozing, soreness, pustular elements), it is necessary to seek medical consultation as soon as possible.

The clinic «Оксфорд Медікал» provides dermatological care in accordance with modern clinical standards.

The cost of treatment of neurodermatitis may vary, as it is selected individually and depends on the form of the disease, the stage of the process, and the severity of symptoms.

You can review the cost of a doctor’s appointment here.

Schedule a consultation at a time convenient for you.