Neurodermatitis on the face can be very unpleasant. The skin is dry, red and generally more sensitive to certain irritations. To counteract this, the skin barrier must be strengthened. BRIGITTE shows you how to do this.
The skin itches, feels tight, is inflamed or forms small blisters. Those affected often struggle with neurodermatitis on the face, because the skin disease is not just unpleasant or even painful, it also affects the psyche at some point. The also as Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema The disease referred to is not contagious and usually occurs in spurts – often without those affected being able to identify what exactly triggered it.
How does neurodermatitis develop on the face, what are the triggers?
Neurodermatitis is anything but rare. This is how you suffer ten to 15 percent of Germans atopic dermatitis; children and young people are often affected by it. In this country there are around two million, but the neurodermatitis usually disappears again with the onset of puberty. In some cases, neurodermatitis comes back in adulthood or even retirement.
But there is no single trigger for children or adults. For one thing, it is PredispositionIf, for example, someone in your family already has neurodermatitis. In this case there is a genetically determined disorder of the skin barrier. This is reflected in the fact that the skin dries out more quickly. This occurs due to the feeling of tension and the associated itching Cracks in the skin, including by scratching. Now the skin is essentially exposed and the bacteria that are supposed to protect our skin from external influences penetrate the epidermis and take care of it there Inflammation.
On the other hand, certain people also play Environmental factors a role. The skin is irritated by heat, cold, generally dry climates and air pollution. Pollen can also cause neurodermatitis on the face or body.
Other possible triggers include the following:
- Allergens related to pollen, nickel, dust mites, animal hair or food
- Irritating cosmetics and fragrances in detergents
- Sweat
- Stress, especially emotional
- UV radiation
- Hormones
- Hot water
- Coarse textiles
What are typical symptoms of neurodermatitis on the face?
Neurodermatitis is usually not a permanent disease, but occurs in episodes. This particularly affects the face Eye area, cheeks and lips, but atopic eczema can also appear on the forehead, mouth or ears. Neurodermatitis on the face often presents with the following symptoms:
- The skin is dry, red, tight and flaky.
- Cracks form in the skin caused by excessive tension.
- The skin thickens in these areas and becomes scabby.
- Itching occurs because the skin is irritated and tight.
It also occasionally occurs in neurodermatitis sufferers other allergies such as allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis or allergic hay fever.
What can you do against neurodermatitis on the face?
Painful inflammation on the face is not the only cause physical stressfor …. As well psychological. The red, itchy and flaky areas cannot be covered with make-up or concealed, although in some cases one would like to do so. To alleviate the symptoms, the right facial care helps to strengthen the skin barrier and bring the microbiome into balance. Both are weakened in diseases such as neurodermatitis, but also acne, for example, which is why the symptoms mentioned can occur. When it comes to neurodermatitis on the face, it is important that the… Skin moisturized and won’t lose it again. Moisturizing creams and serums are the best solution. Also, you should non-irritating, soap-free cleaningfor example in the form of a mildly formulated cleansing oil, regard. By the way, care doesn’t just apply to the days when the attacks come. A skincare routine for neurodermatitis on the face is very important, which is why you should also use moisturizing creams and moisturizing serums once the flare-up is over.
Speaking of cleaning: Water that is too hard can also trigger neurodermatitis. Therefore, check with your doctor what is causing your atopic dermatitis and filter out certain irritating factors.
Which cream is best for neurodermatitis on the face?
Moisture is the most important thing for our skin. So that it doesn’t escape again immediately, but rather ensures a strengthened skin barrier Care products with skin-like lipids necessary. After the skin has been cleansed, it’s time to care. It is best to choose pH skin-neutral care products.
The mark Avene With XeraCalm, offers a range of care products that specializes in neurodermatitis on the face. Both the serum and the Avène XeraCalm moisturizing cream are intended to provide immediate relief of symptoms and allow the skin to regenerate.
La Roche Posay also has a care line that focuses on neurodermatitis. With Lipikar From facial cleansing to body lotion, you will find everything that sensitive neurodermatitis skin needs in order not to irritate it but to care for it.
Another brand that specializes in skin care products for neurodermatitis on the face is Eucerin. Atopi Control It is now not only available as a hand cream, but also to care for facial skin and other areas affected by atopic eczema.
In addition to proper daily care, you can protect your skin’s acid mantle with the help of: fruit acids back again. Chemical peels ensure that dead skin cells are removed more gently than with a mechanical peel, i.e. a peel with microparticles. Fruit acids also have the advantage that they penetrate into the skin, work there and thus stimulate cell renewal.
Which cream is recommended by dermatologists?
Dermatologists often use cortisone ointments for itchy skin or skin suffering from atopic eczema, as this can relieve the itching in the short term. However, when it comes to neurodermatitis on the face, other active ingredients are often used because cortisone makes the skin thinner and more vulnerable when used for a long time. This is particularly popular Urea Urea, which binds moisture to the skin and allows it to be absorbed into the epidermis. Specialists will then prescribe you a prescription cream. However, there is also over-the-counter creams with ureathat you can use to relieve symptoms.
Other active ingredients that also provide relief include:
- Glycerin
- Ceramides
- Oils (almond oil, castor oil, evening primrose oil, etc.)
- Aloe vera gel
- lactic acids
- zinc
- Dexpanthenol
What else can I do against neurodermatitis on my face?
In addition to proper facial care, there are other tips you can keep in mind when treating neurodermatitis on the face:
- Don’t skimp on the cream. Twice daily Your skin should at least be moisturized.
- When you’re dry, you might think that your skin lacks oil. But that’s not the case, because fatty ointments clog the pores, which can lead to heat build-up. Creams with a high moisture content such as ceramides or glycerin are better.
- Choose creams that come with pH skin neutral marked or have a pH value of 5.5.
- Always wash your hands before using the cream so that there are no bacteria on them that you then transfer to your face.
- Avoid the triggers. Once you have found out what led to your neurodermatitis, try to avoid it, unless it is due to genetics or hormones. In this case, you should still be careful not to use any irritating fragrances or materials on the skin.
- Attention also applies to the topic frictionbecause it also irritates the skin.
- Some cosmetics contain critical fragrances or paraffins as well as mineral oils or soaps. The same applies to preservatives. Products without these ingredients are much easier for the skin to tolerate.
Are there home remedies that help with neurodermatitis?
Home remedies are sometimes not only suitable for consumption, but also for skin care. So too Yoghurt, milk and quark. The lactic acids it contains nourish the skin humiditythus relieve the itching and are also considered anti-inflammatory. Alternatively, you can also Aloe vera or black tea because both are low-irritant and protect the skin from drying out. In addition, the tannins contained in black tea anti-inflammatory. To do this, the first infusion is poured away after ten minutes of steeping and the same bag is poured again with hot water. Then let this steep for ten minutes – and the liquid is ready to soak a cloth in and place on the affected areas for 20 minutes.
What alternative is there to cortisone?
Cortisone is a quick and short-term helper, but long-term use is more likely to damage the skin. That’s why some people resort to alternatives to combat the symptoms. The key word here is calcineurin. The enzyme is responsible for producing inflammatory messenger substances. So-called Calcineurin inhibitors suppress this enzyme and ultimately the immune system. They are considered anti-inflammatory and itch-relieving, but are not as aggressive in treatment as cortisone, which is why the skin does not thin out even after long-term use, as is the case with cortisone. Also helpful and well tolerated Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in ointments. However, they cannot be used permanently.
For moderate to severe neurodermatitis, a treatment plan that includes medication can be drawn up with your dermatologist. The Antibody therapy with dupilumab has been approved since 2017 and promises to relieve inflammation in the skin with the proteins it contains. Dupilumab can also be used in children aged six and over. According to the European Medicines Agency (ema), if it is a severe case of neurodermatitis, children from six months of age can now be treated with dupilumab.
Another biologic that has so far only been allowed to be used in adults and adolescents aged 12 and over is tralokinumab. Both preparations are injected into the subcutaneous tissue at regular intervals. The best way to get the right treatment for your neurodermatitis is to speak to your dermatologist.
Sources used:neurodermitis.net, oekotest.de, msdmanuals.com, ema.europa.eu