Methods of diagnosis and treatment of neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis is a skin condition that develops in people with a genetic predisposition to various allergic reactions. It has a persistent chronic form and manifests regardless of age or external influence (except for allergen entry into the bloodstream). Neurodermatitis is considered one of the forms of dermatitis, although doctors treat it as an independent disease. Genetic testing is used to identify susceptibility to this condition.

Clinical Symptoms of Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis belongs to the category of diseases with clearly defined symptoms, making it easy to diagnose based on the following signs:

• Persistent itching, most commonly occurring at night;
• Skin rash starting from the neck and quickly spreading across the body;
• Peeling and flaking of the skin in affected areas;
• Lethargy and apathy;
• Appearance and disappearance of symptoms may depend on the season;
• Discomfort can be worsened by other types of allergies.

Neurodermatitis usually appears early in life — in children, it often affects the elbow creases, behind the knees, and on the face. However, there are cases of late onset in adults. In general, children tend to tolerate the disease more easily, while people over the age of 25 may experience complications such as fever during flare-ups, sudden deterioration of health, and headaches.

Main Types of Neurodermatitis

During flare-ups, the disease always follows the same pattern, so classification is based on the localization of skin lesions:

• Diffuse neurodermatitis – widespread skin damage affecting elbows, knees, face, forearms, hands, and neck;
• Localized neurodermatitis – affects only small areas of skin;
• Linear neurodermatitis – lesions mainly appear on limbs;
• Follicular neurodermatitis – localized in hairy areas;
• Hypertrophic neurodermatitis – located in the groin area;
• Psoriasiform neurodermatitis – localized on the scalp, sometimes extending to the neck; the skin becomes covered with fine scales.

Secondary Causes of Neurodermatitis

You can develop neurodermatitis only if you have a genetic predisposition. However, many external factors can trigger the condition out of remission. Most commonly these include:

• Various disorders of the central nervous system;
• Severe physical or emotional stress;
• Sharp decline in immunity;
• Digestive system diseases caused by poor nutrition;
• Exacerbation of chronic infection;
• Intoxication of the body due to exposure to chemical substances.

Once a trigger is present, neurodermatitis typically manifests immediately on the skin. In rare cases, symptoms appear even after the cause and its effects have been removed. In such situations, diagnosis usually involves reviewing the patient’s medical history.

Features of Neurodermatitis Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, diagnosing neurodermatitis is not difficult when specific symptoms are present. Standard diagnostic procedures include immunograms and a complete blood count. The diagnosis can also be confirmed through skin allergy tests and gene analysis responsible for disease expression. If the clinical picture remains unclear, consultation with specialists such as ENT doctors, neurologists, and gastroenterologists may be required.

Effective Treatment of Neurodermatitis

Treatment begins with eliminating the cause of the flare-up and managing its consequences. At the same time, a complex of therapeutic procedures and a course of medications are prescribed. Doctors recommend treating neurodermatitis in a sanatorium environment because full recovery requires comprehensive therapy.

At the “Berezoviy Gai” sanatorium, leading specialists in dermatology not only perform complete diagnostics — including examination of all vital systems — but also apply the latest medical technologies. These include:

• Full rest in an ecologically clean environment;
• Dietary changes — food enriched with vitamins;
• Infrared sauna sessions;
• Physiotherapy;
• Cryotherapy.

To prevent recurrence of the disease, doctors at the “Berezoviy Gai” sanatorium prescribe ultratone therapy, gentle digestive tract cleansing, and neurological therapy courses.