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You can recognize atopic dermatitis by these symptoms

Overview of typical symptoms of neurodermatitis

There are a multitude of symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis, with the following among the typical symptoms:

dry and flaky skin
itching
Reddening of the skin
Swelling
Crust formation
oozing skin
Skin changes
Eczema (inflamed skin)
Pustules and nodules
Vesicles
Skin thickening (lichenification)
changes in skin color in places

Itching in atopic dermatitis

The itching (pruritus) is the main symptom of neurodermatitis. With neurodermatitis, the skin becomes dry, flakes and the result is itching. Even the smallest irritation of the skin can trigger the itching, for example wearing wool sweaters, sweating or various environmental factors. But also the consumption of certain foods (e.g. foods rich in histamine such as fish, cheese or tomatoes, but also citrus fruits and nuts) or emotional factors influence the development of the itching. The itching attacks can sometimes be very violent and distressing for those affected. Especially in the evening or at night, the itching can increase extremely and often leads to sleep disorders.

Many neurodermatitis patients try to relieve itching by scratching. In the short term, this helps very well and brings relaxation to the affected person, but in the longer term the scratching is an additional burden on the skin and the itching increases even further. Scratching changes the skin of the atopic dermatitis patient and turns white. Healthy skin, on the other hand, turns red from scratching. The best way to combat the annoying itching is appropriate skin care. With the right moisturizing care, the skin is protected from drying out and the itching subsides. The doctor or a pharmacist will provide information about which creams or ointments are best for atopic dermatitis.

What do the skin changes in neurodermatitis look like? Where are they?

The abnormal immune reactions in the body lead to inflammatory skin changes in atopic dermatitis. As a result, the natural protective function of the skin is lost, there is an increased loss of water and a reduced production of sebum. As a result, the skin dries out, itches and begins to flake. The skin changes associated with neurodermatitis are very diverse. The most common are eczema (itchy skin), dry skin, and itching. Eczema is an inflammatory change in the skin that is characterized by flaky skin, redness and weeping skin crusts. Swelling and small blisters are also commonly found in eczema.

Due to the occurrence of numerous eczema (inflammatory skin changes), neurodermatitis is also referred to as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis in medical terminology. Atopic means that the body reacts more intensely to certain stimuli with allergic reactions. The skin is very dry in the affected areas and can be itchy.

Where eczema is most likely to occur on the body in the context of neurodermatitis depends primarily on the patient's age. In babies and toddlers, eczema, which is known as "cradle cap" and which is known as "cradle cap", forms on the face, on the forehead, chin, cheeks and around the mouth. Later, the skin changes mostly affect the extensor sides of the arms and legs.

The elbows, hollows of the knees, and wrists are often affected in adults. However, inflammatory changes in the skin can also occur on the neck and chest area, as well as on the extremities (fingers and toes).

Read more about the topic here:

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Neurodermatitis in the crook of the arm

Dry skin with neurodermatitis

Very dry skin is a typical symptom in patients with neurodermatitis. Due to the chronic inflammatory reaction, the skin loses its natural moisture barrier and dries out. As a result, the affected skin areas crack, flake and itching occurs. Scratching irritates the sensitive skin even further and intensifies the drying process. There are now a large number of medical skin care products that specifically help against dry skin associated with neurodermatitis. Used regularly, they have a calming and moisturizing effect on damaged skin.

You might also be interested in: Homeopathy for neurodermatitis with predominantly dry skin

Extensive skin thickening in atopic dermatitis

In some neurodermatitis patients, there is extensive thickening of the skin. This process is known as lichenification. The thickened skin areas develop as a result of irritation from inflamed eczema. The skin becomes thicker, coarser, “leathery” and loses its elasticity. In addition, hyper- or hypopigmentation can occur, which means that the affected areas of the skin are either darker or lighter. Often the skin on the face is affected by lichenification. But the bends of the elbows, the hollows of the knees or the wrists also tend to thicken over a large area.

Read more about the topic here: Atopic dermatitis on the hand.

Papules / nodules in atopic dermatitis

In addition to eczema and extensive thickening, papules or small nodules on the skin are further symptoms of neurodermatitis. Scratching or rubbing the skin increases these skin changes. Older adults in particular suffer more frequently from a certain form of neurodermatitis, the so-called prurigoform (Latin prurigo = itch). This special form of neurodermatitis is characterized by small, extremely itchy nodules that can appear all over the body.

Psychological symptoms in atopic dermatitis

Psychological problems can significantly influence the symptoms of neurodermatitis or contribute to the fact that the disease breaks out in the first place. If patients suffer from extreme stress, anxiety, grief, depression or other psychological complaints, the symptoms associated with neurodermatitis may worsen significantly. This is based on the fact that there is a close connection between the skin and the human psyche.

Conversely, neurodermatitis can also cause psychological problems. The affected people may suffer from the appearance of the skin changes. They are insecure and often feel unattractive. The excruciating itching is another factor that stresses sufferers and can lead to insomnia or mood swings. Ignorant people are often afraid that they could be infected by the skin changes and avoid contact. Under these conditions, patients may isolate themselves and become depressed. Of course, that doesn't mean that every person with neurodermatitis suffers from mental health problems. Nevertheless, this close connection between mental disorders and neurodermatitis must not be neglected. Patients should not hesitate to point out this problem to their doctor if necessary and to work out a suitable therapy concept together.

Find out more about this through our article: Neurodermatitis and the psyche - what is the connection?

Infection of the skin in atopic dermatitis

With neurodermatitis, inflammatory processes lead to a deterioration in the protective function of the skin. Oil and moisture normally provide a reliable barrier against pathogens, but atopic dermatitis the skin dries out and becomes more permeable. Pathogenic germs such as bacteria, fungi or viruses can easily penetrate through the damaged skin layers and lead to skin infections. This type of infection, which can be traced back to an existing inflammation, is referred to as a so-called second or Superinfection. Often the skin infections are caused by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus. This is a type of bacteria that typically lives on human skin and does not normally cause disease. In neurodermatitis, however, the germs penetrate the skin through the impaired barrier function and lead to inflammatory skin changes and itching.

Skin regions in which a large number of bacteria naturally reside can be particularly at risk from infection. This is the case, for example, in the genital area, which can also be affected by neurodermatitis. Read about this: Atopic dermatitis in the genital area

Fungal infection in atopic dermatitis

The skin of atopic dermatitis patients is much more susceptible to the penetration of pathogens than the skin of healthy people. In addition to bacteria, fungi (mostly yeasts) in particular cause infections very often. Normally, fungal spores cannot penetrate far into healthy skin and are harmless. In atopic dermatitis, the fungus uses eczema (itchy lichen) and small skin injuries as entry points, penetrates deep into the skin layers and promotes inflammation of the skin. Due to the fungal attack, the classic symptoms of neurodermatitis - itching, reddening and flaking of the skin - increase even further. The dermatologist can diagnose a fungal infection from a swab of the skin and treat it with appropriate creams. Since dry skin is one of the main risk factors for fungal infections, patients can prevent fungal infections through good skin care with moisturizing lotions.

Typical symptoms of atopic dermatitis in babies

Infants and small babies can also be affected by neurodermatitis. Children, in particular, whose mother or father are atopic dermatitis, have an increased risk of the disease. At this age, neurodermatitis typically first manifests itself with the appearance of cradle cap. These are yellow-brown crusts that form mainly on the scalp. Later, usually when the children are older than three months, weeping eczema and papules develop on the cheeks and trunk. The skin changes are very itchy and the baby tries to relieve the itching by scratching. However, scratching creates a vicious circle: scratching damages the skin even further and as a result, paradoxically, the body releases more messenger substances (histamines) that promote itching. Due to the constant, agonizing itching, the baby cannot sleep properly and cries a lot - a stress test for parents and child. In older children from two years of age, the skin changes mainly affect the backs of the hands, bends (elbows, hollow of the knee) and body folds. The skin tends to thicken over a large area (lichenification).

Reddened skin, flaky and dry skin and constant scratching can all be indications of the presence of neurodermatitis. In such cases, parents should take the baby to a pediatrician and have the symptoms assessed.

Further information on this topic can be found at: Atopic dermatitis in babies

Cradle cap in atopic dermatitis

Cradle cap is characteristically the first symptom of atopic dermatitis in infants and forms within the first three months of life. Cradle cap can either heal spontaneously on its own or become chronic in the form of neurodermatitis.

The name "cradle cap" comes from the fact that the color is similar to burnt milk. The yellow-brownish crusts tend to form on the child's face and hairy scalp. The crooks of arms and legs can also be affected by cradle cap. A typical accompanying symptom of cradle cap is severe itching, which can seriously affect the baby's well-being. The crusts should not be peeled off, as this increases the risk of the small lesions becoming infected.

But cradle cap is not always an indication of neurodermatitis. In many cases there is another, harmless cause behind it, for example excessive sebum formation on the scalp (head gneiss). Head gneiss looks very similar to cradle cap and both symptoms can hardly be distinguished from one another by a layperson. A pediatrician can diagnose a cradle cap and treat the annoying itchiness with soothing ointments and creams.

For more information, we recommend our website to: Cradle cap for neurodermatitis or head gneiss

Typical symptoms of atopic dermatitis in an adult

The symptoms of neurodermatitis are very diverse and change over the course of life, although the severity of the disease usually decreases with age. In many cases the symptoms end before puberty and the affected people no longer have symptoms. Nevertheless, new flare-ups can occur from time to time. It is also possible that atopic dermatitis does not appear until adulthood.

The symptoms of neurodermatitis in an adult include the typical inflammatory skin changes, which, however, are usually much less pronounced than in children. Classically, eczema mainly forms on the face, around the eyes and mouth. Eczema also occurs on the neck and neck region. The skin on the bends of the elbows, the hollows of the knees and the hands is also inflamed. In general, however, any part of the body can be affected by the eczema. The inflamed areas of the skin are red, dry and can be very itchy. The skin also tends to thicken (lichenification). Other symptoms are papules and small nodules.

Can you get infected with skin changes in atopic dermatitis?

Neurodermatitis is a chronic skin disease that is primarily due to a genetic susceptibility. In many cases, the predisposition to neurodermatitis is inherited through the parents. The inflammation on the skin is caused by a kind of allergic reaction, in which there is a hypersensitivity reaction of the skin. An infection or transmission of the skin changes through contact with other people is not possible. However, many people are not aware of this. So healthy people do not have to fear that they could become infected with neurodermatitis through contact with sick people. The skin changes or the permanent itching are not transmitted to other people through physical contact or body fluids.

Further information

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