Neurodermatitis, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin disease usually associated with extreme itching. The causes of neurodermatitis can be of different nature: They can be genetic or due to environmental factors, physical strain, stress, infections and/or allergens in food, pollen, house dust or animal hair.
How do I recognize that it is neurodermatitis?
Since atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and usually occurs in flares, symptom-free phases alternate with flare-ups in which the condition of the skin visibly deteriorates. The skin is rough, tears easily and is very sensitive to external influences such as heat, cold, UV rays, etc. Eczema develops.
During the "rest" phases of flare-ups, when the skin still appears healthy, it is dry and can be very sensitive. The natural protective mechanisms of the skin do not work properly: the ability to store moisture is lost and the fat content of the skin is not optimal - in short, the skin barrier is not kept in balance and the skin is more permeable to harmful substances and more susceptible to irritation and infections.
How severe the acute flare-ups are or how often the skin inflammation can occur varies from person to person. However, babies and small children in particular are often affected by neurodermatitis.
Since babies have much thinner skin than adults, it is particularly important to pay attention to which care products are used with babies. Since the baby's skin is not yet mature and the lipid protective layer is not fully developed, allergy-causing ingredients can also lead to skin irritation or irreversible damage.
What is the difference between itchy and dry skin, eczema and neurodermatitis
itching is the sensation of the skin, triggered for example by dry skin, insect bites, allergies and skin diseases such as neurodermatitis. The itching also occurs with other skin changes such as redness, scales, pustules and blisters.
The causes of a dry skin can be multifaceted. One aspect is the use of care products that contain alcohol. Because alcohol is a popular preservative - unfortunately also in certified natural cosmetics. It is also often used in baby care products because of its antibacterial effect. We at Naturalsophy therefore deliberately avoid this ingredient, as there are other ingredients that are moisturizing and at the same time have an antibacterial side effect.
A eczema is the inflammatory skin condition that is reddened. Small blisters, which are associated with severe itching, form in the affected skin region. However, it is not contagious as it is not caused by viruses or bacteria.
Atopic eczema is Neurodermatitis , which occurs chronically and is genetically determined.
Not every skin rash, redness or skin irritation is a skin disease or neurodermatitis. Dry skin can be treated naturally with the right care products. That's why we don't use anything in our care products that can have a negative effect on the skin, dry it out or attack it. We know how important it is to choose the right care from the very beginning of babyhood.
Can my child/ Can my children also get neurodermatitis if we parents are affected?
In fact, there is a connection between congenital predisposition and neurodermatitis. If a parent has eczema, there is a 20% to 40% chance that the child will also get eczema. If both parents suffer from neurodermatitis, the probability even increases to 60% and 80%. Unfortunately, there is a family predisposition to the development of hypersensitive reactions and also the occurrence with other allergic diseases.
Is neurodermatitis different in adults and in infants and children?
Atopic dermatitis can occur at any time, but most commonly in infancy. The first signs of eczema can be cradle cap on the face, ears and other areas of the head, as well as red patches on the outer sides of the baby's arms and legs. The associated itching makes the child restless. Itchy, scaly eczema can develop from the redness of the skin, which in extreme cases can spread to the entire skin in an acute attack. Scratching allows bacteria and viruses to enter the damaged skin and trigger skin infections.
Every sixth to twelfth child under the age of six suffers from neurodermatitis in Germany. Over the years, symptoms disappear or decrease in one third of children, or the manifestation changes to allergic diseases such as asthma or hay fever.
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TEAM NATURALSOPHY