Itchy skin is the most prominent clinical symptom of atopic dermatitis and eczema, and this itch is really elusive: it comes and goes, just now it is fine, suddenly a burst of heat itchy, not scratching does not relieve the itch; before going to bed, as soon as you undress, as soon as the nest began to itch, must be painful to scratch half an hour to be comfortable; sleep well at night, how to start scratching at the time, more accurate than the alarm clock. Why is this?
A. Why do eczema patients itch so much?
1, the study found that atopic dermatitis and eczema patients have a lower perception threshold for itch than normal people, eczema patients have a significantly higher number of nerve fibers in the skin and deep into the epidermis, so the slightest stimulus will be felt to cause itching and scratching, while normal people do not produce these reactions.
2, the study also found that atopic dermatitis and eczema patients have stronger and more extensive activity of nerve cells in the area of the brain that feels itch than normal people. Therefore, eczema patients feel very slight stimulation of the skin will be amplified and intensified in the brain, so they feel more itchy and will scratch harder.
3, the study also found that itch is also contagious (contagious itch): when eczema patients see others scratching behavior or hear others say the word “itch”, he will have the feeling of itching and the desire to scratch. So do not give frequent visual or auditory itch stimulation to eczema patients.
Second, what factors will cause itching symptoms aggravated?
1, temperature changes will aggravate the itch, such as dressing, undressing, going to bed to sleep into the nest, bedtime bath water temperature is too hot, etc., will cause the skin temperature changes in a short period of time thus triggering itching.
2, exercise, sweating is another cause of itching, sweat residue on the skin after exercise will change the pH value of the skin, making the skin more sensitive, and stimulate the skin to produce inflammation. Older children and adults often eczema in the neck, elbow fossa, popliteal area is related to the stimulation of sweat.
3, clothing fiber friction, especially rough wool fabrics, chemical fiber fabrics, clothing labels, loose threads on clothing can also cause skin irritation and induce itching.
4, chemical substances such as soap, detergents can cause dry skin and irritate the skin, will also induce itching symptoms.
5, some allergens such as dust mites on mattresses and bedding, pollen floating in the air and certain foods can also aggravate itching. Of course not all atopic dermatitis and eczema patients will react to allergens.
6, Stress, tension or fatigue state can cause itching to worsen.
Third, how to treat itching?
In addition to avoiding the various causes that trigger or aggravate itching, doctors will also take some measures to treat itching.
1, moisturizing cream: moisturizing creams and emollients help to improve the dry skin condition and repair the normal skin barrier, thus reducing various irritants or allergens to enter the skin and irritate the skin. Also some medical moisturizers contain non-pharmaceutical anti-itch ingredients, which are also helpful in improving itching symptoms.
2.Topical anti-inflammatory drugs: Topical anti-inflammatory drugs include topical glucocorticoids and topical calcium-regulated phosphatase inhibitors (tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream), both of which can reduce the inflammatory response of the skin and reduce the inflammatory substances in the skin that cause itching, and therefore are also effective anti-itch drugs.
3.Behavioral therapy: change the patient’s bad scratching behavior or use some methods that do not cause skin damage to relieve itching, such as gently patting instead of scratching, applying cold compresses to the itchy area, etc.
4, oral antihistamines: the first generation of antihistamines taken in the evening has a sedative effect to help sleep, can reduce the itching and scratching before bed or after going to sleep.
Fourth, anti-“allergy” drugs can stop itching?
The familiar anti-allergy drugs, the scientific name should be antihistamines, it is antagonistic to the role of histamine (a substance that causes itchy skin) to play the role of anti-itch. Histamine is usually the main substance that causes the itchy symptoms of acute or chronic urticaria. In eczema patients, histamine causes only a small percentage of the itch, so most of the time the antihistamines we take are not fully effective in controlling the itchy symptoms. The anti-inflammatory drugs for eczema skin inflammation (such as topical glucocorticoids) and moisturizing cream emollients to improve dry skin conditions can be more effective in reducing itching symptoms.
Five, how to control night itching and scratching?
Itching at night while sleeping is the most troubling thing for eczema patients and their families. The skin temperature rises during nighttime sleep, transdermal water loss increases, and the body’s own endogenous hormone levels decrease, all of which can aggravate itching. If you have an irregular lifestyle, sleeping late and staying up late can cause a decrease in melatonin in your body, and one of the functions of melatonin is to lower the body’s temperature during sleep. So eczema patients will always itch and scratch at night.
1, ensure that you use enough emollients before going to bed, topical application of anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your doctor on the lesions bathing in warm water 1 hour before bedtime.
2, avoid using alkaline soap and keep your body cool put emollients on your pillow and apply them at any time during the night when you wake up itching, or choose emollients with anti-itch ingredients to keep your bedroom ventilated and cool during the day.
3. Avoid overheating in the bedroom at night. Use soft and clean cotton bedding when you sleep at night, and wear loose and appropriate cotton pajamas. Don’t use too greasy and heavy emollients in the parts that are prone to sweating, as that will cause the skin to overheat.
Cautions.
1, often use emollients, do not have to limit the number of times, repeat the use at any time when the skin feels dry, apply emollients gently, to apply in the direction of hair growth, do not rub hard.
2.Cut nails regularly.
3.Gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel after bathing, do not dry with force
4.Use cotton bed sheets and light bedding to avoid overheating.
5.Wear cotton finger gloves or one-piece pajamas when sleeping.
6.Do some other activities such as watching TV, reading, playing with toys and other distractions.
7, do not often say to the child “do not scratch”, to avoid causing the child’s bad mood or rebellion.
8, the use of alternative scratching methods to relieve itching, such as gentle patting, local cold compresses, etc..
9, before applying emollients can be put into the refrigerator freezer for 30 minutes before use.
10, wear several layers of loose and light cotton clothing rather than a heavy clothing, easy to put on and take off at any time to avoid overheating.
11, when cleaning clothes to avoid using detergents, fabric softener or contains fragrance or colored lotion.
12.Control the temperature and humidity in the room, keep the room cool, and use a humidifier in a bedroom heated by hot air.
13.If your child is allergic to dust mites, take some indoor anti-mite measures.