Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Neurodermatitis, also known aslichen simplex chronicus, is a skin condition that involves excessive itching and scratching, leading to inflamed patches on theskin. It is not life-threatening or contagious, but it rarely goes away on its own without treatment. When people scratch areas of neurodermatitis, they can irritate the nerves in the skin, which can lead to a chronic itch-and-scratch cycle that prevents healing.
If you are suffering from any itching or scratching on your skin, read on to see if it might be neurodermatitis and what you can do about it.
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Causes and Risk Factors
Neurodermatitis affects up to 12% of the population.
The exact cause of neurodermatitis is unknown. However, it tends to occur more often in women than men, and in people with skin conditions such asatopic dermatitis,contact dermatitis, orpsoriasis.
The condition is most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50, and it rarely occurs in children.
Research suggests that having an anxiety disorder such asobsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) can increase your risk of neurodermatitis.Stress also may increase your risk.
Other potential causes, or “triggers,” for neurodermatitis may include:
Signs and Symptoms
Neurodermatitis is usually found on the arms, legs, hands, back of the neck, scalp, face, and genital areas. However, it can occur anywhere on the body.
The dry, itchy areas of skin usually measure between 3 centimeters and 10 centimeters in length and width.The patchy areas can be red, brown, gray, or purple and can eventually scar.
The areas may also appear:
The most common and irritating symptom of neurodermatitis is intense and frequent itchiness. The itching can be constant or come and go over time. The itching may also become more intense when trying to rest or sleep. For this reason, neurodermatitis can impair a person’s quality of sleep and cause additional stress, especially if the condition goes untreated.
Other symptoms of neurodermatitis include:
Chronic scratching can also lead to scarring on the skin.
To be diagnosed with neurodermatitis, make an appointment with a healthcare provider, including adermatologist(a doctor who specializes in skin conditions).
Neurodermatitis can be diagnosed using tests that can help rule out other conditions, including:
If diagnosed with neurodermatitis, the most important step in treating it is to stop scratching, touching, or rubbing the affected area.
However, avoiding the site altogether can be challenging for patients as the itching may become intolerable. It’s essential to see your healthcare provider and develop a treatment plan that can help you prevent itching the area.
Some people need to try several types of treatments to see what is most effective for them.
Eliminating neurodermatitis from ever returning can be difficult. However, there are ways to help prevent a recurrence, such as:
Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any difficulties with your treatment plan to find a solution that works for you.
Keeping Skin MoisturizedYour healthcare provider may want you to continue applying moisturizer even after your skin has healed. Keeping the skin moisturized might help prevent neurodermatitis from returning.
Keeping Skin Moisturized
Your healthcare provider may want you to continue applying moisturizer even after your skin has healed. Keeping the skin moisturized might help prevent neurodermatitis from returning.
Coping With Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis rarely goes away without medical treatment, and it can also recur.
Stress and anxiety can trigger neurodermatitis, and having the condition also can lead to stress and anxiety. It may help to:
If you have any questions regarding coping strategies for neurodermatitis, talk to your healthcare provider for other recommendations that might help you.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Neurodermatitis can be a frustrating and irritating condition. If you have dry, itchy areas of skin, it may be time for you to see a healthcare provider or a dermatologist for a diagnosis. An effective treatment plan can help you treat and cope with neurodermatitis and even prevent future flare-ups.
Frequently Asked QuestionsEczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause the skin to become itchy and inflamed. Neurodermatitis is one of several different types of eczema.Neurodermatitis appears as patchy areas of skin that usually measure anywhere about 3–10 centimeters in length and width.The patchy areas can be reddish, brownish, gray, or purple and can eventually scar. The areas might also appear scaly, dry, leathery, and thicker than the surrounding skin.The best thing you can do to prevent lichenified skin—skin that becomes thickened and leathery from scratching—is to stop scratching the skin and allow it to heal. This can be difficult because the urge to scratch the affected area may be very strong.Talk with your healthcare provider for the best treatment plan to heal your skin, which may include a combination of medications and other at-home treatments. Other helpful ways to improve lichenified skin include wearing gloves while you sleep to prevent scratching and avoiding and managing stress that can trigger inflammation in the body.
Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause the skin to become itchy and inflamed. Neurodermatitis is one of several different types of eczema.
Neurodermatitis appears as patchy areas of skin that usually measure anywhere about 3–10 centimeters in length and width.The patchy areas can be reddish, brownish, gray, or purple and can eventually scar. The areas might also appear scaly, dry, leathery, and thicker than the surrounding skin.
The best thing you can do to prevent lichenified skin—skin that becomes thickened and leathery from scratching—is to stop scratching the skin and allow it to heal. This can be difficult because the urge to scratch the affected area may be very strong.Talk with your healthcare provider for the best treatment plan to heal your skin, which may include a combination of medications and other at-home treatments. Other helpful ways to improve lichenified skin include wearing gloves while you sleep to prevent scratching and avoiding and managing stress that can trigger inflammation in the body.
The best thing you can do to prevent lichenified skin—skin that becomes thickened and leathery from scratching—is to stop scratching the skin and allow it to heal. This can be difficult because the urge to scratch the affected area may be very strong.
Talk with your healthcare provider for the best treatment plan to heal your skin, which may include a combination of medications and other at-home treatments. Other helpful ways to improve lichenified skin include wearing gloves while you sleep to prevent scratching and avoiding and managing stress that can trigger inflammation in the body.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.An J-G, Liu Y-T, Xiao S-X, Wang J-M, Geng S-M, Dong Y-Y.Quality of life of patients with neurodermatitis.Int J Med Sci. 2013;10(5):593-598. doi:10.7150/ijms.5624National Eczema Association.What is neurodermatitis and how do you know if you have it?National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: neurodermatitis causes.Liao Y-H, Lin C-C, Tsai P-P, Shen W-C, Sung F-C, Kao C-H.Increased risk of lichen simplex chronicus in people with anxiety disorder: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(4):890-894. doi:10.1111/bjd.12811Cleveland Clinic.Neurodermatitis: symptoms, causes, treatments, tests & recovery.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.An J-G, Liu Y-T, Xiao S-X, Wang J-M, Geng S-M, Dong Y-Y.Quality of life of patients with neurodermatitis.Int J Med Sci. 2013;10(5):593-598. doi:10.7150/ijms.5624National Eczema Association.What is neurodermatitis and how do you know if you have it?National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: neurodermatitis causes.Liao Y-H, Lin C-C, Tsai P-P, Shen W-C, Sung F-C, Kao C-H.Increased risk of lichen simplex chronicus in people with anxiety disorder: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(4):890-894. doi:10.1111/bjd.12811Cleveland Clinic.Neurodermatitis: symptoms, causes, treatments, tests & recovery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
An J-G, Liu Y-T, Xiao S-X, Wang J-M, Geng S-M, Dong Y-Y.Quality of life of patients with neurodermatitis.Int J Med Sci. 2013;10(5):593-598. doi:10.7150/ijms.5624National Eczema Association.What is neurodermatitis and how do you know if you have it?National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: neurodermatitis causes.Liao Y-H, Lin C-C, Tsai P-P, Shen W-C, Sung F-C, Kao C-H.Increased risk of lichen simplex chronicus in people with anxiety disorder: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(4):890-894. doi:10.1111/bjd.12811Cleveland Clinic.Neurodermatitis: symptoms, causes, treatments, tests & recovery.
An J-G, Liu Y-T, Xiao S-X, Wang J-M, Geng S-M, Dong Y-Y.Quality of life of patients with neurodermatitis.Int J Med Sci. 2013;10(5):593-598. doi:10.7150/ijms.5624
National Eczema Association.What is neurodermatitis and how do you know if you have it?
National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: neurodermatitis causes.
Liao Y-H, Lin C-C, Tsai P-P, Shen W-C, Sung F-C, Kao C-H.Increased risk of lichen simplex chronicus in people with anxiety disorder: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(4):890-894. doi:10.1111/bjd.12811
Cleveland Clinic.Neurodermatitis: symptoms, causes, treatments, tests & recovery.
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