The word neurodermatitis comes from the ancient Greek (" neuron ": nerve, " derma ": skin, "- itis ": ending, which characterizes inflammation). It arose because in the past it was amed that the changes in the skin were related to an inflammation of the nerves. In the meantime it is known that this is not the case. For this reason, physicians use the terms "atopic dermatitis" or "atopic eczema".
But what is really behind this disease.
What is neurodermatitis?
Neurodermatitis is a chronic inflammatory, non-contagious disease of the skin. This means that the disease is not curable. It usually appears for the first time in early childhood and then progresses in stages. In the case of neurodermatitis, those affected suffer from dry skin and severe burning itching.
What are the causes of neurodermatitis?
The exact causes of neurodermatitis are unknown to this day. Experts believe that there are several reasons for the development of atopic dermatitis.
One of the reasons for the appearance of atopic dermatitis is a disorder of the skin barrier. Our skin consists of different layers. The epidermis consists of the horny layer and the germinal layer. The former protects our body from pathogens.
There are several reasons for the disorder of the horny layer. Due to genetic changes, the body may produce too little of the protein filaggrin. Filaggrin is formed in the keratinocytes. Is essential for the formation of the epidermis. In people who suffer from neurodermatitis, the lack of the protein leads to a change in the composition of the skin lipids. Our natural skin lipids protect the skin from external influences and from the loss of moisture. If the fat balance is unbalanced, the skin dries out and reacts with inflammation and itching to irritants, germs and allergens.
The gene changes can be hereditary. If one parent suffers from atopic dermatitis, the children can also be affected with a probability of up to 40%. If both parents are affected, the risk increases and is between 60% and 80%.
Another reason for the disturbance of our skin barrier could be too much hygiene. Due to a change in hygiene behavior, people come into contact with potential disease and allergy triggers less frequently. Researchers suspect that the immune system is underemployed and as a result reacts extremely to actually harmless stimuli. Any kind of excessive hygiene behavior, such as washing the skin too often, can damage the skin barrier and make it more sensitive.
What causes neurodermatitis? What are the triggers of neurodermatitis?
The triggers for atopic dermatitis vary from person to person. For this reason it is important to know and observe yourself and your body. Some examples of triggers are as follows:
Skin drying factors
– Dry (heating) air – Cold air – Sultriness – Temperature fluctuations – Frequent bathing or showering for too long – Sweating
Psychological Belastung
– Stress – Grief – Exciting events – Boredom
– House dust mites – Molds – Animal dander – Pollen – Certain foods and additives (wheat, soy, fish, seafood, cow's milk, chicken egg whites, nuts, etc) – Skin irritation.)
– Pregnancy – menstruation
– Skin-irritating detergents – Cosmetics – Makeup – Certain substances (e.g.B. Wool) – Fragrances and preservatives
How to recognize neurodermatitis? What are the symptoms of neurodermatitis?
The appearance of atopic dermatitis is very versatile. Typical symptoms include:
– Dry skin and inflammatory skin changes, which are very itchy – Extensive thickening and coarsening of the skin – Nodules and pustules
The severity of symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Neurodermatitis often appears in areas with thin skin. Thus, depending on the age, certain areas crystallize, which itch strongly.
– Itchy redness of the skin – crusting (cradle cap, occurring alone it is not a definite sign) – weeping skin changes (the skin weeps and is too dry at the same time, it can hardly store moisture) – face, the hairy scalp, extensor sides of the limbs (outside of the arm, legs), flexural folds – eczema in the mouth area
– Thicker, coarser skin (lichenification or lichenification) – crusting – change in color of individual skin areas (hyper- and hypopigmentation) – bends of joints, neck, wrists, hands, extensor sides of limbs
– Thicker, coarser skin (lichenification or lichenification) – Crusting – Very itchy nodules – Articular flexures, neck and neck, wrists, hands, eye, forehead and mouth area, palms and soles of feet
The strong itching is present at any age. It can last all day and also worsen in the evening and at night. During puberty, atopic dermatitis may completely remit. However, in some sufferers the symptoms persist.
Sufferers should suppress the strong need to scratch the skin. The open areas otherwise favor the implantation of bacteria and viruses.
How neurodermatitis is treated?
Treatment methods of neurodermatitis are very diverse and individual. In our blog post Treatment methods for neurodermatitis learn more about it.
But what we can tell you already now: The application of salt in the shower also works wonders for this skin disease.
PROBLEM SKIN NATURALLY CARED FOR
THE ALTERNATIVE TO SALT BATH FOR SENSITIVE, DRY AND REDDENED SKIN.
SHOWER+ FOR NEURODERMATITIS
The products of shower+ are perfect as basic equipment for basic therapy. The skin does not dry out during the shower, but is moisturized by the salt. In addition, the salt cleans the skin and possibly already scratched areas, so the itching can be contained. The shower+ salt shower was developed by neurodermatitis patients.
EVERYTHING FOR THE SALT SHOWER
THE SHOWER+ STARTER SET BRINGS THE SEA INTO YOUR SHOWER. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A UNIQUE SHOWER EXPERIENCE. LET THE POWER OF SALT TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN.