Atopic dermatitis, also known as neurodermatitis, is a chronic, non-contagious skin disease. The typical sign is severe itching. Neurodermatitis occurs in many people, but also in pets all over the world. The symptoms of this disease can greatly affect daily life. In this article, we will go into more detail about the causes, symptoms and treatment options of atopic dermatitis.
What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis can cause a variety of symptoms. The most common complaints are:
- Itching: [Itching]() is often severe and is the most serious symptom. Scratching can make the rash worse and cause infections.
- Rash: The affected skin becomes red, scaly and may also bleed.
- Dry skin: People with atopic dermatitis often have very dry skin that feels rough.
- Inflammation: The affected skin may be inflamed and cracked.
- Swelling: Sometimes the affected skin areas swell.
Atopic dermatitis can be different for each person. Some sufferers may have very mild symptoms, while others may suffer from severe symptoms.
On which parts of the body does atopic dermatitis occur?
Atopic dermatitis can occur on different parts of the body, but some areas are affected more often than others. In infants and young children, the rash often appears on the face, scalp and around the nappy area. In older children and adults, the affected areas are usually the hands, the creases of the knees and elbows, the neck and the face.
What is the course of atopic dermatitis?
The symptoms of neurodermatitis usually occur in episodes. These are followed by periods of less severe symptoms. Some sufferers show no symptoms and a normal skin appearance during these periods. Other patients still suffer from dry, flaky and cracked skin. The length of time between episodes and the severity of the episodes vary from person to person. For many people, the severity of the episodes decreases over the course of their lives. If neurodermatitis already appears in the first twelve months as a baby, the severity of the attacks decreases over the course of life. Many of those affected are then completely free of symptoms in adulthood. If the disease breaks out later, the symptoms can sometimes intensify.
How does atopic dermatitis manifest itself in animals?
The symptoms of neurodermatitis in dogs and cats are similar to those in humans. Because the animals can make themselves more difficult to understand, attention should be paid to the following signs:
- Itching: the animal scratches, licks or bites itself frequently and intensely, especially in certain areas such as the ears, belly or armpits. Some dogs tend to lick their paws very intensively.
- Redness and inflammation of the skin: The skin may be red and inflamed.
- Thickening of the skin: The skin may look thicker and bumpy.
- Scaling: The dog may have scales or crusts on the skin.
- Loss of hair: The dog may have hair loss or bald patches.
- Ear infections: Atopic dermatitis can also cause ear infections in dogs.
- Secondary infections: The scratching and biting can cause bacteria to settle in the skin and cause an infection.
- Behavioural changes: The animal may feel uncomfortable due to the itching and therefore be more irritable or restless than usual.
How severe is itching in atopic dermatitis?
Itching is severe in atopic dermatitis. The affected animal or person will often scratch, bite or lick themselves to relieve the itching. However, scratching can worsen the inflammation and itching and lead to secondary infections. The itching and discomfort can lead to insomnia, which can affect the sufferer's general well-being. Therefore, it is important to control and reduce the itching as much as possible to restore quality of life.
What is the cause of atopic dermatitis?
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not fully understood. A familial predisposition to atopic dermatitis may play a role, as it occurs more frequently in some families. Due to an impaired skin barrier and the hypersensitive immune system, the skin can no longer repair itself. The skin and mucous membranes of affected individuals and animals react to normally harmless substances and conditions in our environment. Neurodermatitis occurs more frequently in people with allergies to food, pollen, house dust mites, animal hair and cosmetics.
At what age can atopic dermatitis develop?
Atopic dermatitis can develop at any age, but most people develop the condition as an infant or within the first five years of life. A first sign of atopic dermatitis risk may be cradle cap on the face or arms and legs in the third month of life. In some cases, atopic dermatitis first appears as an adult.
How does a neurodermatitis flare-up occur?
Acute atopic dermatitis is triggered by certain factors, called triggers. The causes of an acute flare-up can be different for everyone. Diaries and evaluation tests can often be used to identify the causes. Common triggers are:
- Emotional stress: Stress, anxiety, boredom
- Allergens: pollen, house dust, mites, animal hair, moulds
- Diet: certain foods, especially acidic foods, additives
- Skin irritants: soaps, detergents, cosmetics
- Climatic factors: dry air, cold, sultriness
- Mechanical skin irritations: Scratching, too tight, rubbing clothing, wool
- Infections: Bacterial infections, skin diseases.
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
The treatment of atopic dermatitis depends on the severity of the disease, the individual symptoms and the age of the patient. There is no cure for atopic dermatitis. But the symptoms can be well controlled with appropriate treatment.
What helps with atopic dermatitis?
Effective methods are available for the treatment of neurodermatitis. A distinction is made between external and internal treatment. For mild to moderate symptoms, the skin barrier is rebuilt as a basic therapy. According to the medical guidelines for atopic dermatitis, creams with moisturising ingredients such as glycerine or urea are used. This form of therapy can also be used without hesitation to treat atopic dermatitis in small children and infants. Additional ingredients such as tanning agents have an anti-inflammatory, disinfecting and anti-itching effect.
What medicines help with severe atopic dermatitis?
Medications are mainly used for severe, acute symptoms. Various active substances are available to relieve the inflammation and itching:
- Corticosteroid creams: Corticosteroid creams work against inflammation and reduce itching on the skin.
- Immunomodulators: Externally applied immunomodulators such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can help reduce inflammation.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are prescribed when atopic dermatitis is made worse by a bacterial infection.
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines help reduce itching and improve sleep.
These agents can be used topically as ointments. In cases of severe impairment of quality of life or secondary infections, some preparations are also available in the form of tablets to be taken orally. These medicines should only be used after consultation with the doctor.
Which home remedy works quickly against itching?
Even in basic therapy, ointments or creams with substances containing tannins are usually used. Witch hazel, botanically known as witch hazel, is of particular importance in this context. A plant extract from witch hazel contains many tannins. The plant's ingredients have an astringent effect so that the upper skin layers contract. A thin protective layer is formed. At the same time, witch hazel also has an anti-inflammatory effect and soothes itching. In addition to ointments with witch hazel, the extract can also be applied as a poultice to the affected areas. Particularly in babies with atopic dermatitis, attention must be paid to possible intolerances to the ingredients.
What home remedies work for atopic dermatitis?
Some home remedies or natural active ingredients can also be used for atopic dermatitis. They support against the itching or promote the healing of the skin. These include:
- Black tea: Black tea contains tannins similar to those in witch hazel. These also have an astringent effect and thus strengthen the skin.
- Fish oil: Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties. They can help to improve the skin's barrier function.
- Evening primrose oil: Evening primrose oil contains a lot of gamma-linoleic acid. This strengthens the skin's barrier function and protects against loss of skin moisture.
- Oatmeal bath: A bath with oatmeal can help reduce itching and inflammation. To do this, oatmeal can be boiled in water and then added to the bath water.
- Chamomile tea compresses: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce itching and inflammation. A chamomile tea compress can be applied to the affected areas.
- Vinegar compresses: Vinegar has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. A vinegar compress can be applied to the affected areas.
How is a pet with atopic dermatitis treated?
The treatment of dogs and cats with atopic dermatitis is similar to that of humans. First, an attempt is made to identify the triggering allergic factors. By avoiding these allergens, the skin condition often improves in the long term. Alternatively, hyposensitisation of the animal against the allergenic substance is carried out. However, this process can take several weeks. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor will therefore prescribe additional medication to improve the animals' quality of life in the short term. Anti-inflammatory ointments such as cortisone can be used to reduce the inflammation and itching of the skin. Antihistamines can reduce the effect of allergens in the body. These medications can cause side effects and should only be given after consultation with the veterinarian.
Which home remedies help against neurodermatitis in dogs and cats?
For the treatment of dogs with atopic dermatitis by home remedies, poultices with witch hazel water have proven successful. For this purpose, the leaves of the witch hazel are mixed with water in a ratio of 1:3 to 1:10. A diet rich in fish or the additional administration of fish oil can reduce the symptoms in dogs. In cats, rubbing with pure coconut oil can relieve the itching.
How can I prevent acute episodes?
Through good self-care and close cooperation with a doctor, atopic dermatitis can be successfully controlled and lead to a higher quality of life. Because diet can play an important role in atopic dermatitis, a special diet should also be discussed with the doctor. Other measures include:
- Avoiding triggers in food, cosmetics, cleaning products and other chemicals.
- Set up humidifiers in the living rooms and regulate room temperature evenly
- Wear breathable cotton clothing to allow the skin to breathe
- Learn stress management methods such as yoga or autogenic training.
- For babies: If possible, breastfeed for at least four months and only then introduce complementary foods.
- For babies: Apply a mild lotion to the skin regularly.
Is atopic dermatitis contagious?
No, atopic dermatitis is not contagious. It cannot be transmitted from person to person.
How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually made through a physical examination and medical history. There is no specific test for atopic dermatitis, but the doctor may perform tests to rule out other skin diseases or to identify possible allergies.