Unusual
Dennis L.
Dermatologists are increasingly finding neurodermatitis in older adults. The reason for this might be related to the environment.
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- Always more elderly people develop neurodermatitis
- if cause researchers suspect that increasing air pollution
Neurodermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects small children and young adults. Recently, however, cases among older adults have been on the rise. The reason for this has not yet been clarified beyond doubt, but researchers suspect a connection with increasing air pollution.
Bonn (Germany). Atopic dermatitis is a non-contagious but chronic inflammatory skin disease that predominantly develops in infants, children and adolescents. It is all the more unusual that more and more dermatologists are now diagnosing neurodermatitis in older adults.
“The patient group of older people with neurodermatitis was largely overlooked for years,” explains Prof. Dr. dr Thomas Bieber from the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Allergology at the University Hospital Bonn in an interview with the German Skin and Allergy Aid. “Lately, more and more adults with the corresponding symptoms have been coming to my office hours.”
Atopic dermatitis lies dormant and can break out once more at any time
Contrary to previous assumptions, atopic dermatitis does not grow out, but can break out once more in adulthood or even in the elderly following long symptom-free phases. It can even happen that neurodermatitis develops for the first time in adulthood. How bad the eczema develops and how severe the neurodermatitis is varies from patient to patient and is related to age and health history.
Atopic dermatitis has a profound impact on the quality of life of older people. It is characterized by severe reddening of the skin, often with a scaly structure and very severe itching. The triggering mechanisms are still being researched, but the combination of stress, hormonal changes, skin-irritating environmental factors, and compromised skin barrier function with aging are thought to play a role in maintaining or worsening eczema in the elderly. In one carried out by our working group epidemiological study This connection was particularly evident in women without a history of neurodermatitis and without a hereditary background.
New care routines for the skin
The skin changes with age: the barrier function decreases, the skin becomes drier and more prone to irritation – especially on the face. As a result, older patients prone to eczema may need to adapt to a new routine and moisturize their skin morning and night. These new grooming routines are especially with neurodermatitis on the face The GD Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie eV writes that part of every basic therapy, which is the basis of every treatment plan that is supplemented by externally applied or internally acting medication, depending on the severity of the eczema in an opinion.
Those affected may have to part with their favorite body lotion if it contains skin-irritating fragrances or preservatives, for example. Suitable fats and moisturizing factors such as glycerin are indispensable for strengthening the skin barrier, and anti-inflammatory formulations are helpful for neurodermatitis. There are now also basic care products with additional active ingredients. However, their positive influence on the skin must be proven by meaningful studies. One example is young oat extract, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and regulate the skin’s overactive immune system in neurodermatitis.
Air pollution suspected to be a neurodermatitis trigger
The cause of the increasing number of neurodermatitis diagnoses by dermatologists among older adults has not yet been clearly clarified. Initial research into possible causes does not rule out a genetic component with neurodermatitis in childhood. However, studies indicate that increasing air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas, is a significant factor. The researchers assume that the pollutants in the air weaken the immune system of the skin and, in combination with a history of neurodermatitis, the skin disease breaks out once more in old age. However, the results have yet to be confirmed.
Environmental Health; doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.06.002
