Symptoms

Symptoms and help from BINAMED

Neurodermitis, atopic eczema, endogenous eczema and atopic dermatitis – they are all synonyms of one and the same disease, a chronic, inflammatory, affective skin disease with severe itchiness. Particularly for younger patients, this illness can make their life quite difficult. The symptoms occur in phases.  In-between there may be moments where there are no complaints.       

With babies or infants, neurodermitis usually only appears once they are over three months old. At this age the symptoms are evident in particular on the face, especially the cheeks and the hair on their head. Typical symptoms develop with indistinctly defined reddening of the skin, which is very itchy. Therefore, these areas are often interspersed with scratches.

Causes

The causes are still unclear. In four out of five cases, atopic dermatitis is due to a family disposition to allergies. Previous contact with allergy-causing substances also plays a role here. For example, contact with pets, dust mites or some foods, such as eggs and milk protein. Stress and cigarette smoke can also be causing factors.

Symptoms

Neurodermitis is generally characterised by very dry skin. This is caused, for example, because the sebaceous glands in the affected areas are only functioning to a limited degree. With healthy skin, the sebaceous glands constantly produce low quantities of sebum, which keeps the skin smooth. In addition, the sebum contains substances which prevent the growth of germs. On the skin of an infant suffering from neurodermitis, these protective characteristics of sebum are missing in the affected areas, or are only present to a limited extent. That is why the skin is so dry.

Due to the inflammatory changes to the skin caused by certain bacteria, neurodermitis suffers feel an itchiness. The defensive and protective function of the skin is disturbed, allowing bacteria and fungus to spread. This can usually be seen in the form of a yellow colouration of the affected area of skin.

Even during infancy, neurodermitis can affect not just the face and head, but the whole body.

If the illness spreads, the flexor and extensor sides of the arms and legs are often affected, in particular the elbows and knees. However, the torso can also be affected. In most cases the nappy area remains unaffected. The reason for this is that moisture gathers under the nappy due to the absence of air. This helps to keep the skin moist. Due to the higher moisture content of the skin in the nappy area, it is not so affected by the illness.

Neck eczema often occurs in adolescence, sometimes together with weeping, open spots and excoriations.
Hand and foot eczema often occur with neurodermitis – in particular in childhood and adolescence.

Each case of neurodermitis is different and can take diverse forms. The different symptoms are primarily due to the inflammatory changes to the skin. Consequently, nodules, blisters and excoriations can develop, for example. An agonising itching feeling is emitted from the affected area of the skin, which is very tiresome for infants and small children.

This is also a field where BINAMED® silver textiles can be used.

Therapy

In addition to antibiotic treatment, psychotherapy and light therapy, the use of silver textiles is gaining more and more recognition.

In the development phase, which lasted over two years, BINAMED looked in detail at the conditions of illnesses like neurodermitis, skin eczema, skin fungus and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

Special textiles have been developed together with recognised specialist doctors and in cooperation with the specialist clinic PsoriSol in Hersbruck, which specialises in dermatology and allergology, which combine the comprehensive know-how in textiles with the medical needs of the people affected by this skin illness.

By coming into contact with the skin, the silver sewn into the clothing interrupts the supply and reproduction of the bacteria in the texitle responsible for itching in cases of neurodermitis. The inflammations that often appear then reduce and the itchiness is considerably relieved. The irritated skin can then heal.

You can find descriptions about the way medical silver textiles work in our INFORMATION CENTRE.

Many patients are looking for alternatives to cortisone treatment. BINAMED, in cooperation with various special clinics, self-help groups as well as neurodermitis training courses with qualified neurodermitis coaches, offers extensive information about the treatment options with its special textiles.

A wide range of silver textiles have been developed, which

• Are largely completely seamless
• Have the optimum fit for all sizes thanks to the sophisticated knitting technique
• Are very comfortable to wear, which has been certified by the Hohenstein Research Institute with the grade 1.7 (good)
• Are very breathable and pleasant to wear, with a high silver content on the skin side and a large amount of natural (viscose) fibres
• Are certified as skin friendly.

The silver clothing is very suitable for babies, children, young people and adults in their therapy, and in skin treatment measures.

Tips on the wearing time and care can be found in our INFORMATION CENTRE.

Our experience to date has shown that, in particular on young people and adults, accompanying treatment during the day with evening primrose oil or black cumin oil, as well as moisturising lotions, can supplement the wearing of BINAMED® silver textiles in the evening and at night.