Reddish and dry areas of the skin should be cleansed and conditioned with suitable products.
Individuals suffering from neurodermatitis are often in a vicious circle: because the skin’s barrier function is damaged, noxae or also germs can enter the skin. In addition the skin continues to dry out due to its impairment. The person affected experiences a distinct tight and itchy feeling and has to scratch himself. This can often lead to injuries and infections, and the vicious circle intensifies.
A central concomitant measure in the treatment of individuals with neurodermatitis is consistent skin care. Individuals with neurodermatitis who cleanse and condition their skin regularly with suitable products suffer relapses less frequently, and their skin develops inflammations less frequently. In addition cleansing and care creams alleviate itching and improve the protective function of the sick skin.
Skin cleaning
The dry skin of an individual with atopic eczema requires special attention during cleansing. To reduce or prevent irritation and drying out, the following should be kept in mind:
• Avoid frequent (daily or repeated daily) and lengthy bathing and showering and make sure the water temperature is not too high. • Use cleansing products which do not additionally dry out or irritate the skin. Products with mild tensides which additionally contain rehydrating lipids are suitable. Gently cleansing shower oils are also suitable. Spreading bath oils are a proven bathing product. They leave an oil film on the skin after bathing. • Alkaline soaps are unsuitable. • Acidic synthetic detergents have a physiological pH value, but they wash moisturizing factors out of the skin and remove the hydrolipid film. After use of these products the skin should be replenished with lipids. • Hand wash oil is suitable for cleansing hands. • A cleansing milk with mild tensides, high lipid content and moisturizing factors is advisable for the face. • Foam baths, preparations containing alcohol, alcoholic liniment etc. should be avoided because they dry out the skin additionally.
Skin care
Individuals who suffer from neurodermatitis should put cream on their skin in the morning and in the evening – if required also more frequently – and always after skin cleaning. Creams on a water-in-oil basis which contain moisturizing factors have proven to be very effective. In addition a suitable care preparation should have the following properties: It should
• supply the skin of an individual with neurodermatitis with rich oil-restoring and moisturizing substances and • not contain any perfumes or additives because they can irritate the skin additionally or trigger allergies.
Creams, lotions and oils for cleansing and care which contain the substances urea and evening primrose oil have proven to be very effective.
The benefit and efficacy of care products with urea and evening primrose oil for neurodermitic skin was proven in two clinical studies. Clinical studies
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