{"id":676,"date":"2022-12-21T13:10:23","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T10:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicinehospital.com.tr\/?p=676"},"modified":"2023-07-05T08:29:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T08:29:54","slug":"lichen-simplex-chronicus-neurodermatitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/lichen-simplex-chronicus-neurodermatitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Lichen Simplex Chronicus (Neurodermatitis)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neurodermatitis, also known as lichen simplex chronicus, is a non-life-threatening skin condition associated with itching, usually characterized by one or more patches of skin. Itching can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the arms, shoulders, elbows, legs, ankles, wrists, hands, back of the neck, or scalp. It can also affect the anal and genital areas as well as the face. The itching can be intense, leading to frequent scratching, which may cause the affected areas to become thickened and leathery or worsen over time. The symptoms tend to be most active when the person is resting or trying to sleep. In some cases, the patient may stimulate the affected area by scratching or rubbing.<\/p>\n

What Does Neurodermatitis Look Like?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The itchy patches are usually between 3×6 centimeters and 6×10 centimeters in size. The wounds can appear dry, thickened, scaly, rough, and may have a reddish, brownish, yellowish, grayish, or purplish color. Older wounds may have a darker color around the edges, with the center of the spot being pale or white, and they may turn into scars over time.
\nScratching the affected area can irritate the nerve endings in the skin, worsening the itching and leading to further scratching. This itch-scratch cycle can perpetuate the condition and make it chronic.<\/p>\n

Who Is Most Likely to Get Neurodermatitis?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Neurodermatitis is estimated to occur in about 12% of the population. Research has shown that individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 are more likely to develop the condition. Women are at a higher risk, with a 2:1 ratio compared to men. People with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and a family history of eczema, contact dermatitis, or other skin diseases are also at a higher risk of developing neurodermatitis.
\nRecent studies have suggested that individuals with weak social skills, inflexibility, a tendency to avoid pain, dependent on others for approval, and specific personality traits like irritability may also have a higher likelihood of developing neurodermatitis. However, different studies have not consistently found a direct link between personality and the condition.<\/p>\n

What Are the Causes of Neurodermatitis?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The underlying cause of neurodermatitis is not fully understood. However, itching can begin during periods of extreme stress, anxiety, emotional trauma, or depression. Sometimes, the itching may persist even after mental stress has decreased or stopped.
\nOther possible triggers for neurodermatitis include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Nerve injuries<\/li>\n
  • Insect bites<\/li>\n
  • Dry skin<\/li>\n
  • Wearing tight clothing, especially garments made from synthetic fibers like polyester or artificial silk. These factors can cause excessive reactions and itching in people with sensitive skin.<\/li>\n
  • Other skin diseases; neurodermatitis can sometimes occur as a result of eczema or psoriasis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What Are the Symptoms of Neurodermatitis?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In addition to itching and dry, colorless skin patches, the following symptoms may be observed:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Pain<\/li>\n
    • Itching that leads to hair loss on the scalp.<\/li>\n
    • Open wounds and bleeding due to repeated scratching.<\/li>\n
    • Yellow crusty sores and signs of infection, such as fluid-filled or pus-filled swellings.<\/li>\n
    • Scarring from persistent scratching.<\/li>\n
    • Skin lines on the affected area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      How Is Neurodermatitis Diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      A dermatologist will likely examine the itchy area with a magnifying instrument. The doctor will first rule out other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. They will take a complete medical history and may ask questions such as:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • When did the itching start?<\/li>\n
      • Is it constant or does it come and go?<\/li>\n
      • What medications have been tried?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        What Tests Can Be Used to Diagnose Neurodermatitis?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Skin swab tests to check for infection.<\/li>\n
        • Patch testing to determine if there are accompanying allergies.<\/li>\n
        • Fungus tests to identify general skin disorders and rule out sexually transmitted infections.<\/li>\n
        • Skin biopsy to detect or exclude forms of lymphoma like mycosis fungoides or psoriasis.<\/li>\n
        • Blood tests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          How is Neurodermatitis Treated?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          Neurodermatitis rarely improves without treatment. A dermatologist prepares a suitable treatment plan for the patient. The main goal is to stop itching and scratching. Treatments include medications such as:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Corticosteroids<\/strong>: These medications can be applied topically or injected into the itchy wound. Corticosteroids help reduce redness, swelling, heat, itching, and sensitivity, and they soften thickened skin.<\/li>\n
          2. Antihistamines<\/strong>: Taking an antihistamine before bedtime prevents itching during sleep. They can also help prevent allergic reactions that could worsen the condition.<\/li>\n
          3. Antibiotics<\/strong>: If the wound becomes infected, antibiotics may be prescribed. They can be applied to the skin or taken orally in pill form.<\/li>\n
          4. Moisturizers<\/strong>: These reduce dryness and itching.<\/li>\n
          5. Coal tar preparations<\/strong>: Such medications cause the shedding of dead skin cells and slow down the growth of new cells. Patients can apply them directly to their skin or add them to their baths.<\/li>\n
          6. Capsaicin creams<\/strong>: These can alleviate both pain and itching. Your doctor may also recommend the following:<\/li>\n
          7. Dressing:<\/strong> Using bandages, socks, or gloves prevents nighttime scratching, ensuring better sleep. Dressing also helps the applied medication penetrate the skin more effectively. (This is also called occlusion.)<\/li>\n
          8. Cold compresses:<\/strong> These can be applied to the skin about five minutes before the application of corticosteroids. The compress softens the skin, making it easier for the medication to penetrate and can also relieve itching.<\/li>\n
          9. Antidepressants and\/or therapy:<\/strong> If anxiety, depression, or stress is thought to be causing itching, this type of treatment may be recommended. If none of these treatments are effective, the following unconventional treatments may be suggested:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            • Applying a solution of aspirin and dichloromethane to the itchy area<\/li>\n
            • Treatments commonly used for atopic dermatitis\/eczema (tacrolimus and\/or pimecrolimus)<\/li>\n
            • Botulinum toxin injection, which is a toxic protein that can cause paralysis or muscle weakness in the body. In a study of three neurodermatitis patients, all three itched less after one week of treatment, and the itchy wounds disappeared within four weeks.<\/li>\n
            • Phototherapy or light therapy<\/li>\n
            • Removing itchy wounds with traditional surgery or using intense cold with cryosurgery to destroy unwanted tissue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              If Scratching Causes a Wound:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              If scratching causes a wound due to neurodermatitis, the doctor may apply a bandage over the area. Another treatment option is negative pressure therapy, which involves fluid vacuuming from the wound and increasing blood flow in that area.
              \nHyperbaric oxygen therapy relies on the patient being trapped in an oxygen chamber and breathing pure oxygen, increasing the body’s self-healing ability. Wound surgery is another option.”<\/p>\n

              If You Have Neurodermatitis, What Can You Do to Heal?<\/h3>\n

              If you have neurodermatitis, you should follow your doctor’s treatment plan and stay calm to avoid triggering flare-ups due to anxiety and stress. Additionally, pay attention to the following points:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Try to stop scratching and rubbing the affected areas. Keeping your nails short can minimize damage.<\/li>\n
              • Apply ice, anti-itch medication, or a cool compress to the itchy area. Take a cool bath to relieve itching.<\/li>\n
              • Keep your body in a comfortable and cool environment.<\/li>\n
              • Wear loose-fitting clothes made of preferably cotton.<\/li>\n
              • Cover the itchy area with clothing. Dressing the area can prevent scratching.<\/li>\n
              • Avoid anything that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                What is the Prognosis for Patients with Neurodermatitis?<\/h3>\n

                With the right treatment plan, neurodermatitis can be completely healed. However, it may be necessary to modify the treatment plan and apply different therapies. Adhering to the plan is particularly crucial, especially when neurodermatitis affects sensitive areas like the genital region.<\/p>\n

                Unfortunately, neurodermatitis can reoccur if triggered by one of its triggers. In such cases, treatment will be resumed. In some instances, a doctor may continue to provide treatment to a healed patient to prevent the disease from returning.<\/p>\n

                Neurodermatitis can, in some cases, progress to skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma or verrucous carcinoma. This might be related to the continuous activation of inflammatory cytokines due to scratching and rubbing, leading to the transformation of skin cells into cancerous cells.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Neurodermatitis, also known as lichen simplex chronicus, is a non-life-threatening skin condition associated with itching, usually characterized by one or more patches of skin. Itching can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the arms, shoulders, elbows, legs, ankles, wrists, hands, back of the neck, or scalp. It can also affect […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-guide"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/676\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atlasuniversitesihastanesi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}