Can neurodermatitis turn into cancer?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Neurodermatitis, also known as chronic simple lichen, is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by episodic severe itching and lichenoid skin changes. It is a neurofunctional dermatosis, and its causes may be related to various internal and external factors, including neuropsychiatric factors, diet, gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine disorders, and local skin irritation. Currently, there are no clinical reports of neurodermatitis transforming into cancer, so it generally does not become cancerous.

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The difference between neurodermatitis and tinea

Neurodermatitis and tinea are very different diseases; they are two completely distinct conditions. Tinea is caused by a fungal infection, whereas neurodermatitis is a neurological disorder and has no connection to fungal infections. Additionally, the clinical manifestations of these two diseases are also different. Neurodermatitis often occurs on the neck, elbows, face, and other areas, presenting as lichenoid changes and generally does not have obvious papules, whereas tinea typically shows clear papules.

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How to treat neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis, also known as simple lichen, commonly occurs on the eyelids, elbows, neck, and sacral areas. It exhibits recurrent symptoms such as skin lesions and itching. It is necessary to enhance skin moisturization, avoid excessive irritants such as friction, and provide anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. Oral medications such as levocetirizine tablets, moisturizing and anti-itching capsules, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, Guweisupian tablets, or Duluoping tablets, along with topical application of tacrolimus ointment, or early use of potent steroids such as halometasone cream or betamethasone valerate cream, can control the symptoms of skin lesions. However, steroid creams should not be used for prolonged periods as they can cause side effects including skin atrophy and hypertrichosis.

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What are the symptoms of neurodermatitis?

The symptoms of neurodermatitis primarily manifest as flat papules the size of pinpoints or rice grains on parts of the body such as the neck, sacral region, elbows, knees, inner thighs, perineum, and around the anus. The surface of these papules may have a small amount of scale and exhibit paroxysmal, intense itching. Due to this, a vicious cycle of itching and scratching can develop during the course of the disease, causing local skin lesions to merge into large patches. The skin becomes thicker and rougher, resembling lichenification, and shows episodes of severe itching.

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What ointment to apply for neurodermatitis?

Neurodermatitis, also known as chronic simple lichen, is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by episodic severe itching and lichenoid skin changes. The characteristic skin lesions mainly consist of polygonal, flat papules that range in color from pale red, pale brown to normal skin tone. They are relatively hard and shiny with a small amount of scale on the surface. Over time, the lesions can merge into plaques, and the local skin becomes thickened and rough with lichen-like changes. Therefore, in clinical practice, various topical medications are rationally used based on the characteristics, types, and locations of these lesions. The common types of topical medications include glucocorticoid ointments, tar ointments, and moisturizing antipruritic ointments. Commonly used medications include hydrocortisone butyrate ointment, desonide ointment, mometasone furoate ointment, halometasone ointment, fluticasone propionate ointment, 10% black soybean distillate ointment, 5%-10% Konju butter or coal tar ointment, pine distillate ointment, urea vitamin E ointment, etc.

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How to completely cure neurodermatitis?

Most cases of neurodermatitis cannot be completely cured, especially those with severe symptoms and thick localized skin lesions, and can only be managed by treatment to improve symptoms. Only some cases of neurodermatitis, where the lesions have just appeared and are relatively thin, can potentially be cured with medication. For mild localized symptoms, it is possible to use compound flumethasone ointment or urea ointment. If the symptoms are severe and the skin lesions are thick, it is advisable to seek treatment at a dermatology department of a regular hospital using cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Additionally, taking some traditional Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis orally, and applying potent steroids locally can also help improve symptoms. However, once the treatment stops, the condition may relapse. Therefore, it is crucial to treat neurodermatitis promptly upon detection and not wait until the condition worsens. (Use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)