Neurodermatitis

neurodermatitis

[¦nu̇r·ō‚dər·mə′tīd·əs] (medicine) A skin disorder characterized by localized, often symmetrical, patches of pruritic dermatitis with lichenification, occurring in persons of nervous temperament.

Neurodermatitis

a neuroallergic disease of the skin; the earliest, primary symptom is itching; later, clinically observable eruptions appear on the surface of the skin. The disease exists in two forms: localized neurodermatitis and disseminated neurodermatitis (also called atopic eczema).

Localized neurodermatitis is usually manifested on the face, the posterolateral surfaces of the neck, the elbow flexures, the popliteal fossae (the depressions on the posterior surfaces of the knees), the inner surfaces of the thighs, and the genitals and in the anal region. The mild, inflammatory foci are oval shaped and have indistinct boundaries. The skin within a focus is thickened, the normal folds and creases are exaggerated, branny scales and nodular rashes develop, and scratch marks and blood crusts appear. In patients with disseminated neurodermatitis, the process is more widely distributed, and the reddish cyanotic thickened foci are surrounded by nodules. Wet scales and crusts are symptoms of the exudative form of neurodermatitis. Areas of brown pigmentation persist for a long time at sites of previous rashes.

The medicinal treatment of neurodermatitis employs antipruritics, the B vitamins, and ointments containing steroid hormones. These medications are used in combination with a controlled diet and treatment at health resorts, which prevent aggravation of the condition.

REFERENCES

Skripkin, Iu. K. Neirodermit. Moscow, 1967.
Pavlov, S. T. Kozhnye i venericheskie bolezni. 2nd ed. Leningrad, 1969.
Shakhtmeister, I. Ia. Patogenez i lechenie ekzemy i neirodermita. Moscow, 1970.

I. IA. SHAKHTMEISTER

neurodermatitis

[noor″o-der″mah-ti´tis] an extremely variable eczematous dermatosis presumed to be a cutaneous response to prolonged vigorous scratching, rubbing, or pinching to relieve intense pruritus. It is believed by some authorities to be a psychogenic disorder. The term is also used to refer to lichen simplex chronicus(circumscribed neurodermatitis) and sometimes to atopic dermatitis(disseminated neurodermatitis).

neu·ro·der·ma·ti·tis

(nū'rō-der-mă-tī'tis), A chronic lichenified skin lesion, localized or disseminated. [neuro- + G. derma, skin, + -itis, inflammation]

neurodermatitis

(1) Atopic dermatitis, see there.
(2) Cutaneous neurosis—lichenification of skin due to constant rubbing and scratching.

neurodermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, see there.

neu·ro·der·ma·ti·tis

(nūr'ō-dĕr-mă-tī'tis) A chronic lichenified skin lesion; loosely applied to atopic dermatitis.
Synonym(s): neurodermatosis. [neuro- + G. derma, skin, + -itis, inflammation]

neurodermatitis

(noor?o-der-ma-tit'is, nur?o-) [ neuro- + dermatitis]

NEURODERMATITIS : excoriations on chest and armsInflammation and itching of the skin, associated with, but not entirely due to, emotional stress. After an initial irritant, scratching becomes habitual and prolongs the condition. Treatment is corticosteroid ointment or cream. See: illustration

circumscribed neurodermatitis

Lichen simplex chronicus.

disseminated neurodermatitis

Chronic superficial inflammation of the skin characterized by thickening, excoriation, and lichenification, usually beginning in infancy. It is common in families with a high incidence of allergic diseases. Synonym: atopic dermatitis

neurodermatitis

Skin damage and thickening caused by scratching, usually without an organic basis. Also known as LICHEN SIMPLEX.

Neurodermatitis

An itchy skin disease (also called lichen simplex chronicus) found in nervous, anxious people.Mentioned in: Itching

neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis

neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis

REFERENCES

neurodermatitis

neurodermatitis

neu·ro·der·ma·ti·tis

neurodermatitis

neurodermatitis

neu·ro·der·ma·ti·tis

neurodermatitis

circumscribed neurodermatitis

disseminated neurodermatitis

neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis

neurodermatitis

Words related to neurodermatitis

noun dermatitis in which localized areas (especially the forearms or back of the neck or outer part of the ankle) itch persistently

Related Words