Symptom 8: Sensitivity to Irritants: The Heightened Defense of Neurodermatitis Skin
Pushing forward in our exploration of neurodermatitis symptoms, we encounter a symptom that speaks volumes about the skin’s altered state in this condition: sensitivity to irritants. Following the series of symptoms such as persistent itch, skin transformation, raised rough patches, skin redness, dry, scaly skin, hair loss, and bleeding and crusting, the skin’s heightened defense against irritants surfaces.
In neurodermatitis, the skin isn’t just battling an internal itch-scratch cycle; it’s also facing an external challenge. The skin becomes more sensitive to irritants, often reacting vehemently to substances that it would ordinarily shrug off. This can include a wide range of things, from certain fabrics and detergents to cosmetics and even some foods.
This sensitivity stems from the skin’s disrupted barrier function. Remember the dry, scaly skin we discussed earlier? That’s a sign of a compromised skin barrier. This impaired barrier paves the way for irritants to penetrate the skin more easily, triggering an inflammatory reaction.(8)
