What Is Neurodermatitis?

Neurodermatitis is also called chronic simple moss. It is a chronic skin disease characterized by paroxysmal itching and lichenification of the skin. As a common skin disease, it is more common in adults, and children generally do not develop the disease.

Basic Information

nickname

Chronic simple moss

English name

neurodermatitis

Visiting department

dermatology

Multiple groups

Adults

Common causes

Psychological factors are currently considered to be the main cause of the disease

Common symptoms

Conscious paroxysmal itching, especially at night, with flat pimples on the skin

Contagious

no

Causes of neurodermatitis

Mental factor

At present, it is considered to be the main cause of the disease. Emotional fluctuations, excessive nervousness, anxiety, and sudden changes in the living environment can make the disease aggravated and repeated.

2. Gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine system dysfunction, chronic focal infections in the body, etc. may all become pathogenic factors.

3. Local stimulation

Such as friction caused by the collar is too hard, chemical irritation, insect bites, sun exposure, scratching, etc. can induce the disease.

Clinical manifestations of neurodermatitis

1. When the disease first started

There is only itching without primary skin lesions. Due to scratching and rubbing, the skin gradually appears miliary to mung bean-sized flat pimples, round or polygonal, hard and shiny, showing a reddish or normal skin color, scattered. . Due to paroxysmal itch, the patient often scratched, papules gradually increased, and after a long time, they merged into a film, thickened, mossy-like, manifested as deeper skin lines, raised skin ridges, skin lesions became dark brown, dry, with Fine crushing and desquamation. Patch-like skin lesions have clear borders and small flat papules on the edges, scattered and isolated. The number of skin patches is variable, and they can be single or general, and vary in size and shape.

2. Neurodermatitis

Occurs on the sides of the neck, neck, elbow fossa, popliteal fossa, zygomatic crotch, wrist and ankle. It is also found on the lower back, eyelids, limbs and vulva. Localized neurodermatitis is limited to one or more places; if the skin lesions are widely distributed and even spread to the whole body, it is called generalized neurodermatitis.

3. Conscious symptoms

For paroxysmal itching, especially at night, affecting sleep. After scratching, there may be blood stains and hemorrhoids. In severe cases, folliculitis and lymphadenitis may be secondary.

4. The disease is a chronic disease, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, and relapses easily after cure.

Classification of neurodermatitis

Localized neurodermatitis

More than 90% occur in the neck, followed by elbows, palate, eyelids, popliteal fossa and so on. First, it feels local itching, and then clusters of millet to rice grains appear with normal skin color or light brown, light red polygonal flat papules. Slightly shiny, covered with a small amount of bran-like scales, and then the pimples fuse into each other. The skin is often thickened due to itching and scratches, forming a mossy-like change, a clear state, and common scratches around the affected skin lesions.

2. Disseminated neurodermatitis

Skin lesions are similar to local neurodermatitis, but they are widely distributed, involving heads, limbs, and trunks. Paroxysmal itching, especially at night, affects sleep, has a chronic course, and is easy to recur. Secondary eczema-like changes or secondary infections include folliculitis and rickets.

Diagnosis of neurodermatitis

1. This disease is more common in young and middle-aged people, with severe itching first, followed by skin lesions.

2. The rash is a flat, polygonal papules with lichenification and no exudation.

3. The rash occurs in the neck, limbs, lumbosacral region, popliteal fossa, and vulva.

4. Chronic course, often recurrent.

Differential diagnosis of neurodermatitis

Chronic eczema

Mostly transformed from acute eczema, there is a tendency to exudate during the course of the disease, the rash manifests as infiltrating hypertrophic macular rash, plaques, mossification is not obvious, with severe itching.

2. Lichen planus

It is similar to neurodermatitis in round or polygonal flat papules and itching consciously. The difference is that the former has a larger flat pimples than the latter, which is purplish red and has a waxy luster, and the Wicknam pattern can be seen. Isomorphic reactions occur in the forearm, calf extension, trunk, etc. In addition, mucosal damage (such as damage to the buccal mucosa and the glans). Histopathology is specific.

3. Psoriasis

It occurs in the chronic limited hypertrophic psoriasis of the calf extension and scalp. The base of the lesion is light red or dark red infiltration, and it is covered with silver scales. After peeling, thin film and spotting bleeding are seen. Silver is common in other parts of the body Psoriasis damage, the patient does not feel itching or slight itching, and histopathology is of diagnostic value.

4. Pruritus

More common in the elderly, often related to the season, skin lesions are secondary.

5. Primary skin amyloidosis

The skin lesions are sorghum to mung bean large tan and hard papules, and sometimes the rashes are arranged in a rosary shape along the skin lines. Histopathology has characteristic changes in amyloid deposition.

Neurodermatitis treatment

The main purpose of treatment is to stop itching and prevent patients from scratching due to itching, thereby further aggravating the condition.

System treatment

Antihistamines, calcium and other antipruritic drugs can be selected, supplemented with oral administration of vitamin B family; sedatives can be used for severe itching; procaine veins can be blocked or combined with tripterygium drugs.

Local treatment

Glucocorticoid ointment, cream or solution can be used for external use. Those who are hypertrophic can be packaged or used in combination with 10% black bean distillate ointment for external use. For refractory skin lesions, triamcinolone injection can be injected into local lesions.

Neurodermatitis prevention

Relax tension

Patients should remain optimistic and prevent emotional stress, especially pay attention to avoid emotional tension, anxiety and excitement, strive for regular life, pay attention to work and rest.

2. Reduce irritation

The most important reason for neurodermatitis's repeated prolongation and local thickening of the skin is the scratch caused by itching. Therefore, patients should establish confidence that the disease can be cured, and avoid strong scratching, rubbing and hot water washing Ways to stop itching. This is an important part of cutting off the above-mentioned vicious circle.

3. Adjust your diet

Restrict alcohol, spicy diet, maintain smooth stool, and actively treat gastrointestinal diseases.