Neurodermatitis: Causes, symptoms & treatments

Neurodermatitis is also known as ‘lichen simplex chronicus’. It is an itchy skin disease that is similar to atopic dermatitis. People with neurodermatitis tend to get thick, scaly patches on their skin as a result of abrasion of the area, such as too much rubbing and scratching.

Symptoms of Neurodermatitis:

• Thick, scaly patches on the nape of the neck, scalp, shoulders, on the bottoms of feet, on ankles, wrists and backs of the hands
• Itching
• Discoloured skin

Triggers of Neurodermatitis:

The cause of neurodermatitis is unknown, however certain triggers such as an insect bite and stress seem to play a role. In neurodermatitis, the nerves in the skin appear be overly ready to tell the brain that there is itch. Sometimes, neurodermatitis can occur with a skin allergy.

What can you do to help control Neurodermatitis?

• Avoid scratching and rubbing the affected areas is very important.
• Moisturise to calm and protect damaged skin.
• Covering the skin (also known as occlusion) with socks, gloves, and even gauze wraps may also help the skin heal by disrupting the itch-scratch cycle and allowing the moisturiser to deeply penetrate.
• Topical medications can help calm the inflammation and itch. Because the skin tends to be very thick and scaly in neurodermatitis, stronger steroids may be required.
• In severe cases, medications may be injected into the lesions to allow them to penetrate the thickened skin.

It can take a few months for a flare-up to clear. Even if hands appear eczema-free, an eczema sufferer will need to take special care with them to avoid a return of symptoms.

1,2,3 https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/

4,5 bhcmedicalcentre.com.au/uncategorized/how-common-are-eczema-and-psoriasis-in-australia/

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/eczema-atopic-dermatitis