General information
The skin protects the body, which is also its most important function. It encloses the sensitive interior of the body and fends off pathogens and other harmful substances that could easily enter the body without it. All this can only be achieved by intact skin, which is weakened in people affected by neurodermatitis. The skin of neurodermatitis sufferers is dry and often itchy, with open spots. Here, the important barrier function of the skin is limited and the skin can no longer sufficiently fend off the irritating substances, which leads to a so-called “vicious circle”: It becomes inflamed, itches, the affected person scratches, which further reduces the skin barrier, the skin becomes inflamed again and so it goes on and on until an adequate treatment of neurodermatitis takes place.
Avoid triggers
The most important thing is first to identify the trigger for neurodermatitis attacks. In some people this is tight-fitting clothing, wool, aggressive cleaning agents, incorrect care with allergenic ingredients (preservatives, dyes and fragrances), sweat, certain foods or animal hair. Especially skin areas that are strongly exposed to the above mentioned factors should be cared for thoroughly. For example, the intimate area can be irritated by heat accumulation, increased sweating in existing skin folds, aggressive hygiene and shaving, and thus neurodermatitis can manifest itself.
Care of damaged skin
The consistent care of the sensitive skin is very important in the case of neurodermatitis and must be carried out both in acute phases and during periods without symptoms. The available cosmetic products differ in the ratio of fat and moisture. Among the products with particularly high water content are hydrogels, lotions and creams (called in descending water concentration).
The more fatty substances on the other hand are called ointments. For the care of neurodermatitis skin there are, among others, the products from Multilind®, which are particularly suitable for use without preservatives and fragrances. Although conscientious skin care is essential in the case of neurodermatitis, health insurance companies do not cover the cost of the necessary care products, as they are not advertised as drugs.
In dermatology (skin medicine) there is the simple rule “moist on moist, oily on dry”, which can be used as a guideline when selecting the appropriate care product for the current condition of skin plagued by neurodermatitis. While the skin is open and wet during an acute episode of neurodermatitis and then requires water-based care that cools, dries and soothes itching, a water-in-oil emulsion rich in lipids is more effective for intact skin with neurodermatitis, as it keeps the skin soft and supple, thus promoting the skin’s protective function. The oil prevents the moisture from evaporating from the skin so easily. Thus, ointments and rich oils are especially effective in winter to additionally support the skin against dehydration in cold weather. Kaufmanns skin and child cream is an example of skin care for extremely dry and rough skin.
