Neurodermatitis, psoriasis and co.Skin diseases under the magnifying glassWe provide you with social media plug-ins for the use of social media services offered by various companies. These are included in a two-click process on the AOK's online offers.
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Whether neurodermatitis, psoriasis, hives or rosacea – diseases of the skin are widespread. In particular, redness, scaling or excruciating itching represent a great burden for those affected. Fortunately, there are very good treatment options.
The expert on the subject
Deniz Moday
Specialist in dermatology ServiceCenter AOK-Clarimedis
Neurodermatitis
The skin is inflamed, red and scaly. Everything itches. The causes of atopic dermatitis are still largely unknown. Experts ame that a genetic predisposition and certain environmental factors lead to the immune system reacting hypersensitive. Read more about neurodermatitis here.
There are many treatment options:
Basic therapy: Regular application of cream improves the water and grease film of the skin. Additives such as urea or D-panthenol enhance this effect. In the case of an acute exacerbation, the doctor often prescribes an ointment containing cortisone as well.
Antihistamines: If the skin itches violently, this is due to the body's own messenger and inflammatory substance histamine. Antihistamines reduce its production, the itching subsides.
Immunomodulators: Immunomodulators such as Pimecrolimus and Tacromilus block the enzyme produced by immune cells that is responsible for the inflammatory reaction of the skin. They are also available in ointment form.
Specific immunotherapy: The therapy is only considered in the case of a proven allergy that causes a worsening of the skin condition. Molecularly standardized allergen preparations are injected every month over a period of three years. This is how the immune system learns to no longer fight these substances as foreign bodies.
Psoriasis (psoriasis)
Psoriasis usually manifests itself as sharply defined, reddish and slightly raised patches on the skin covered with silvery-white scales. The cause is considered to be a dysregulation of the body's own defense system. Various environmental factors also play a role in the development of the disease.
Creams and ointments: In mild psoriasis, creams and ointments containing substances related to vitamin D or cortisone as active ingredients are helpful. Vitamin D normalizes growth. The maturation of the cells in the epidermis. But natural and synthetic tar products such as dithranol can be used as well.
Medication: In severe cases, therapy with various active substances in tablet or injection form is possible. These agents ensure that the inflammatory activity of the skin is reduced. Drugs that "down-regulate" the immune system, can also be useful.
UV radiation (for example, photo-brine treatment): In this light therapy, the patient takes a bath in brine water (water containing salt) and is simultaneously irradiated with UV light.
Hives (Urticaria)
Hives are also known as wheals or urticaria. Initially, pale red to red elevations appear on the skin. These quickly become larger. Form then so-called Quaddeln. The extreme itching is the main problem.
Triggers for hives are medications and foods, as well as flavorings, preservatives, and colorings in foods. The foreign stimulus causes the immune system to sound the alarm. Defense cells then release the messenger substance histamine to fight against the supposed intruder. This causes the blood vessels of the skin to dilate greatly. Water retention occurs in the dermis – which then becomes visible as the swelling typical of hives. Also, pre-existing allergies or infections can trigger uticaria.
Treatment:
Self-Healing: In most cases, the wheals disappear as quickly as they appeared, all by themselves.
Medication: If the problem does not resolve on its own, the doctor prescribes antihistamines or cortisone for a short time. Both agents relieve the itching very quickly. Also the skin redness. wheals disappear from it.
Avoidance: If the trigger is known, it must be avoided so that the hives do not recur.
Rosacea (copper rose)
Rosacea is a disease of the sebaceous glands and skin vessels. It causes the fine blood vessels in the face to dilate considerably. The skin gets a stronger blood supply. Gets a red color. In addition, it burns or stings, sometimes it itches, and as it progresses, nodules and pustules may develop. The skin disease has been given the name rosacea because the symptoms – facial redness – resemble the blossoming of roses (rosaceus, Latin: rose-colored).
The exact causes of copper erysipelas are not known. It is known, however, that the skin cells produce inflammatory messengers and other substances that affect the skin vessels.
There are various therapies available:
Ointments: If the disease is in the initial stage, the doctor first prescribes anti-inflammatory ointments.
Massages: If the face is swollen, gentle facial massages or lymphatic drainage often help. These accelerate the drainage of the fluid.
antibiotics: In advanced stages, the patient receives special antibiotics in very low doses for a period of up to three months. In most cases, the skin symptoms can be brought under control in this way.
On heart& Ears with Doc Caro: Is skin rash contagious??
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