Eczema Children suffer from itching

Neurodermatitis: Especially children suffer from agonizing itching

05/28/2014

Around four million people in Germany are affected by the chronic inflammatory skin disease eczema. The majority of them are children. Proper skincare is of great importance in combating the nagging itching associated with the disease.

Proper skin care with moisturizing factors
According to the German skin and allergy help in Bonn, around four million people in Germany are affected by the chronic inflammatory skin disease neurodermatitis (atopic eczema). Especially children suffer from the disease, in which the skin is dry and itches. The basis of every treatment is the proper skin care with moisturizing factors such as glycerol. Like the pharmacist dr. Kathrin Büke at the pharmacon, an international advanced training congress of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists, according to a press release of the ABDA (Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations) said, however „very high-fat, 'heavy' preparations such as ointments or milking fat“ aggravate the skin condition in acute phases. „Care products with chamomile or marigold extracts should better avoid people with eczema due to the risk of allergy. On the other hand, tanning agent-containing plant extracts, e.g. from witch hazel, as additives in care products.“

Apply medication for eczema local and temporal limited
People with atopic dermatitis should cream their skin every day with a base care that is tailored to their individual skin condition, even in symptom-free phases. In addition, the skin care should also be adjusted as the needs of the skin change, such as the change of seasons. „If possible, test each new skin care product for compatibility on an irritated skin site before the first large-area application“, so bust. Inadequate or incorrect skincare may provoke a new boost. Basically, medicines for atopic dermatitis should only be applied on a local and temporary basis. Creaming with a basic care can not replace it.

Teumschlag against the itching
Against the key symptom of atopic dermatitis, the itching, helps cool the skin, for example with a cold compress. The pharmacist recommended as a home remedy for the itching Teeumschläge. To do this, pour two teabags of black tea over with hot water and leave to soak overnight. The broth is applied to the affected skin the next morning. The itching is alleviated both by the cold produced during evaporation and by the tannins contained therein. Since tea envelopes additionally dry out the already dry skin, they should only be used in addition to basic care. If the itchiness is not sufficiently alleviated by cooling or tea turnover, locally anesthetic drugs can help.

Treatment approaches do not work the same for all people
Since obviously different factors play a role in the development of atopic dermatitis, the treatment forms are also very diverse. Often, the focus is on a holistic concept. For skin care then comes, for example, a nutritional advice, psychotherapy and sports added. It is known that not all treatment approaches have the same effect on all and some methods that have a palliative effect on one person can worsen the clinical picture in others. Therefore, treatment methods sometimes need to be recombined several times or changed. This also looks like the dermatologist Dietrich Abeck, who has his practice in Munich, similar. Opposite the news magazine „Focus“ he said: „As diverse as the triggers and clinical pictures are, there is no therapy that helps all patients.“ (Sb)