What are the symptoms of neurodermatitis?
1. At the onset of neurodermatitis, there is only an itchy sensation without any primary skin damage. Due to scratching and friction, the skin gradually develops flat papules ranging in size from millet seeds to green beans. These papules can be round or polygonal, hard, and shiny, appearing light red or normal skin color, scattered across the skin. Because of intermittent severe itching, patients often scratch, causing the papules to gradually increase. Over time, they merge into patches, becoming thickened and lichenified. This is characterized by deepened skin lines, raised skin ridges, dark brown skin lesions, dryness, and fine flaking. The patch-like skin lesions have clear boundaries, with small flat papules at the edges, scattered and isolated. The number of patch-like skin lesions varies, they can occur singly or spread all over the body, varying in size and shape.
2. Neurodermatitis commonly occurs on both sides of the neck, the nape of the neck, the elbow pits, the knee pits, the sacrococcygeal region, the wrists, the ankles, as well as the waist and back, eyelids, limbs, and external genitalia. If the skin lesions are limited to one or a few areas, it is called localized neurodermatitis; if the skin lesions are widely distributed, even spreading throughout the body, it is called generalized neurodermatitis.
3. The subjective symptoms include intermittent severe itching, which is especially worse at night, affecting sleep. Scratching can cause blood streaks and scabs. In severe cases, it can lead to folliculitis and lymphangitis.
4. Neurodermatitis follows a chronic course, with symptoms fluctuating in severity. Even after treatment, relapse is common.
Reference: http://www.1314jkw.org