Nodular Eczema Causes Extreme Itchiness
Nodular pruigo is the medical term for itching. Pruigo is a related word, which describes the changes that appear in the skin after it has itched and been scratched for a long time. In nodular pruigo, these changes take the form of firm very itchy bumps (nodules) on the skin surface. These will go away if the scratching that caused them stops. But this is easier said than done.
IT is not known what causes nodular eczema or what makes the skin react in this way. However, once the skin has become itchy, scratching and rubbing keep the problem going and make it worse. If you are under stress of any sort, it is more likely that you will scratch so stress can make nodular pruigo worse.
More patients with nodular eczema are “atopic” which means that their immune systems overact to substances in their environments.
The symptoms of nodular eczema include extreme itching which can be very distressing – bad enough to wake you up at night and disturb your daytime activities. It is often very hard not to scratch the skin bumps, which may bleed and can become sore as well as itchy.
People with nodular eczema have skin that features many lumpy, hard areas that are intensely uncomfortable. They may be browner than the skin around them. They have a rough rather warty surface and may have a scab or a scratch mark on top. The lumps are firm and can be tender as well as itchy. The arms and legs are the most commonly affected areas, but the back, buttocks, shoulders and chest can also be affected.
A steroid cream or ointment will usually be suggested first as an attempt to reduce the inflammation of the skin. It should be applied once daily.
Covering the skin with a paste or a paste bandage can increase the effect of the steroid. It also helps to reduce the itch and the damage to the skin caused by scratching and rubbing.
Other treatments used to reduce the itching may include phototherapy, which is a UVB light treatment that is administered under clinically controlled conditions that cannot be safely duplicated in nature. The light treatments are usually administered in small doses and require repeated visits to the doctor. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a “light box” that you can use for eczema treatments at home. If your doctor prescribes a “light box” it is important that you use it exactly as prescribed to prevent skin damage.
Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for your nodular eczema. Working together you can alleviate many of the symptoms that cause nodular eczema to affect your quality of life.
Glossary:
Nodular prugio: Medical term for itching