Limited neurodermatitis, which is also often called simple chronic lichen, is an inflammation of the areas on the skin due to frequent scratching. Symptoms of this disease are often manifested in those people who are prone to neurosis. The main treatment for simple chronic lichen is aimed at combating itching, as well as at restoring the epidermis. However, before starting treatment, it is necessary to become more familiar with the symptoms and causes of this unpleasant disease.
Provocative factors
Simple chronic lichen most often has a chronic course with recurrence. This disease can develop under the influence of several factors, which include the following:
- Allergic factor. In children, simple chronic lichen often appears due to simple childhood eczema. It has been found that many people with lichen simplex chronicus are hypersensitive to medicines, as well as detergents and food.
- Hereditary factor. If both parents previously had simple chronic lichen, a photo of the manifestation of which is presented in this article, then a child in 80% of cases has a similar disease. If only one of the parents had the disease, then the probability of a hereditary predisposition will be reduced to 55%.
- Neurogenic factor. Almost all people with lichen simplex chronicus suffer from neurological problems. These patients are characterized by psycho-emotional instability. But if we talk about children, then most often these include hyperactive babies who have increased irritability.
A form of simple chronic lichen, limited neurodermatitis in medicine is also called Vidal's lichen. The scientist who discovered this disease revealed that atopic dermatitis mainly affects those people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Illness can aggravate the abuse of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. In addition, mental fatigue can also enhance the clinical manifestations of limited neurodermatitis. Simple chronic lichen, the photo of which is presented here, often develops due to gastrointestinal upsets, hormonal problems, and also because of the pathology of the autonomic system.
Signs and Symptoms
Limited neurodermatitis is characterized by pronounced symptoms, which can subside or intensify as the disease develops. Since simple chronic lichen, the photo and treatment of which is presented in this article, has a long course, the symptoms of this ailment can bother the patient for several months. In some cases, symptoms torment the patient for several years. Neurodermatitis can occur in three distinct stages:
- Primary itching. As a rule, the desire to scratch the skin is paroxysmal in nature. At night or in the evening, the itching intensifies, and the skin at the same time retains its usual appearance. However, do not confuse simple chronic lichen with pruritus.
- Papular stage. At this stage, during regular combing, the skin begins to redden, looks painful and inflamed. In parallel with this, the skin is covered with papules. The rash has blurry contours as well as a glossy surface. The skin begins to loosen, and during intensive combing it becomes covered with a bloody crust. The skin feels hard to the touch, but there is no compaction.
- Stage of infiltration. At this stage, the skin begins to become covered with grooves, while acquiring a very painful appearance. Large flattened neoplasms of a rounded shape form on the skin integument. However, after the extinction of the symptoms of the disease, pigmentation will continue. Peeling, cracks may also occur, and the skin will be characterized by increased stiffness and density.
Symptoms of limited neurodermatitis may vary, depending on the location of the neoplasms. These neoplasms can appear in the folds of the skin, most often on the back of the neck, in the buttocks area, in the places of joint flexion.
Sometimes a simple chronic lichen in women appears on the face, a photo of skin lesions is presented below. More severe symptoms will be observed with inflammation in the groin and genitals. With the active work of the secretory glands, the course of the disease only worsens.
If the patient forms weeping ulcers, then they can degenerate into eczema.
The reason for the secondary infection is further combing of the skin. For this reason, various complications of neurodermatitis, for example, furunculosis, deep mycoses, and skin lymphoma, can also develop.
Treatment features
The treatment and symptoms of this disease should be determined by a dermatologist. In some cases, it is quite difficult to differentiate limited neurodermatitis and atopic dermatitis, as well as from some other skin diseases. Although the methods of treating these diseases are largely similar to each other. To overcome simple chronic lichen, it is necessary to use complex therapy. Classical treatment involves:
- Reception of antihistamines ("Zodak", "Zirtek", "Fenistil").
- Conducting physiotherapy to increase the resistance of the skin to external infections.
- The use of drugs with a calming effect, as well as drugs that regulate the functioning of the nervous system.
- The use of various ointments, creams, gels and solutions for local treatment of the skin, as well as to stimulate the regenerative process ("Thermicon", "Exoderoyl", "Fungoterbin" and others).
If the patient has a severe course of the disease, then hormonal ointments can also be prescribed. The choice of funds is based on the general clinical picture of the disease, as well as depending on the individual characteristics of the human body. Specialists prescribe hormone therapy to young children, along with taking low-concentration drugs (Lokoid, Advantan).
Dieting
Therapy involves the mandatory detoxification of the human body. Therefore, the doctor prescribes to patients diuretics ("Uregit", "Furosemin"), enterosorbents ("Enterosgel", "Polysorb"). In parallel with this, it is necessary to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet during the treatment process. For this, chocolate, smoked dishes, red fish, strong meat broths, exotic fruits, offal and honey should be excluded from the diet. It is recommended to consume fermented milk products, cereals, steam and fresh vegetables in the largest quantity.
Medications
If the patient has a weakened nervous system, then antipsychotics and tranquilizers are additionally prescribed. As a rule, a specialist prescribes "Oxilidine", "Trioxazine", "Levomepromazine" for these purposes. If a depressive state develops against the background of the disease, then it is recommended to take tricyclic antidepressants.
Simple chronic lichen can be successfully treated with ointments with naphthalan. This group should include drugs such as naphthalan oil and Naftaderm. These agents are able to suppress inflammatory processes. In parallel, they contribute to the regeneration of the skin and reduce the risk of relapse.
Preparations made on the basis of zinc are also very useful for inflammation of the skin. Effective is the therapy with the use of the drug "Desitin". It consists of zinc oxide, which is able to improve metabolic processes, create a protective film on the surface of the skin, and also inhibit the release of exudate by inflamed cells.
For the duration of therapy, it is best for the patient to limit himself to water procedures, since the water dries and weakens the skin very strongly. In combination with the main therapy, dermatoprotective drugs, antipruritic and emollient ointments, and antiseptic agents can be prescribed.
Traditional medicine recipes
Treatment of simple chronic lichen is considered incomplete if alternative medicine recipes are not used. Potato-based products are very effective. The fact is that this vegetable has an antipruritic and calming effect, is able to regulate the water balance, and also softens and soothes the skin. For medicinal purposes, potato juice is used, as well as potato starch.
To get the juice, raw potatoes should be grated, squeezed the liquid from the resulting slurry, after which a cotton swab is moistened in it. After that, the affected surfaces of the skin are treated with this swab.
From starch it is necessary to make lotions and baths. Due to this, the inflamed areas are well dried, but at the same time they do not lead to dehydration of the skin.
There are also other effective folk remedies for the treatment of simple chronic lichen. It is worth to familiarize yourself with several recipes in more detail.
Plantain leaves
The leaves of this plant must be thoroughly washed, scrolled through a meat grinder, after which they are applied to the affected area of the skin. On top of such a compress is covered with a sterile dressing. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that it is not recommended to leave the leaves of plantain for too long. The skin should be often ventilated to prevent its steaming.
Yarrow compress
For medicinal purposes, you can use both fresh grass and dry raw materials. To do this, mix yarrow with chamomile from a pharmacy in the same proportions. Dilute one tablespoon of this raw material with one glass of water, bring to a boil, let it brew, and then use it to treat the affected areas.
Decoction based on birch leaves
This remedy has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. To prepare it, you need to take one tablespoon of raw materials and one glass of boiling water. Insist, strain, then apply to wash the skin or use for compresses.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that simple chronic lichen is protracted, the prognosis remains favorable. For successful treatment, it is only necessary to block the provoking factors in the development of this disease.