What should I do about neurodermatitis on the face?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Neurodermatitis, also called chronic simple lichen, is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by episodic severe itching and lichenoid skin changes. Its causes may be related to numerous internal and external factors, including neuropsychiatric factors, gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine disorders, diet, and local skin irritation. It frequently occurs in the neck, elbows, knees, sacral region, inner thighs, perineum, and around the anus. What should be done if neurodermatitis occurs on the face? First, it is crucial to avoid irritations such as scratching and rubbing as much as possible, understanding that scratching is a primary cause and aggravating factor. Second, it is advisable to choose milder topical medications for treatment, such as moisturizing and anti-itch ointments, herbal ointments, and tar-based ointments, while minimizing the use of corticosteroid ointments. Third, if the condition is severe, oral antihistamines and calcium supplements can be considered.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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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.)

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How to treat recurrent neurodermatitis?

Neurodermatitis can recurrently occur and may be treated with anti-allergic medication under the guidance of a doctor. Common choices include loratadine tablets, levocetirizine tablets, desloratadine dispersible tablets, or ebastine capsules. Treatment may also involve Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based on differential diagnosis or opt for proprietary Chinese medicines such as moisturizing and itch-relieving capsules, anti-itch granules, and dermatitis detox pills. If the rash is thickened and lichenified, topical application of compound fluocinonide cream or fluticasone propionate ointment can be used for treatment. Recurrent neurogenic enteritis, often related to staying up late, poor rest, excessive mental tension, and anxiety, necessitates maintaining regular hours and a relaxed mood, and avoiding scratching.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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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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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can neurodermatitis heal by itself?

The main characteristic of neurodermatitis is that the skin shows lichenoid changes and paroxysmal intense itching. During the course of the disease, it is easy to form a vicious cycle of itching, scratching, more itching, and more scratching, which further develops the disease. Therefore, neurodermatitis generally has a chronic course, is perennially incurable, or recurs frequently, and its chances of cure are extremely low.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can people with neurodermatitis eat beef?

Neurodermatitis, also known as chronic simple lichen, is a common type of chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by paroxysmal severe itching and lichenoid changes in the skin due to neurofunctional dysfunction. Its causes may be related to various internal and external factors such as neuropsychiatric factors, gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine disorders, local skin irritation, and diet. After developing neurodermatitis, it is recommended that patients minimize alcohol consumption and intake of spicy, stimulating foods, seafood such as fish, shrimp, and crab, and meats like beef, lamb, and dog meat.