For sufferers of skin conditions, atopic dermatitis neck is a common source of ongoing discomfort. While atopic dermatitis can affect any area of skin, the head and neck are affected in approximately 79% of children, and 50% of the adults with the condition.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterised by morphological changes, dry skin and intense itching. The skin is an organ of somatisation as it is the largest organ of the body and the organ where the first interactions with the world around us take place. In children, in particular, stressful situations can cause physiological reactions such as skin rashes. Similarly, the maintenance of behavioural patterns is sometimes the cause of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, children under certain stressful conditions are more likely to manifest dermatological problems.
AD was described at the end of the 19th century by Brocq and Jacquet, who called it disseminated and nervous system neurodermatitis, which gives us an idea that the origin of this pathology is closely related to the nervous system. It has characteristics of an allergic condition and is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma or allergic rhinitis. It has also been related to alterations in the microbiota of the skin and intestine common in atopic pathologies and factors related to diet, intolerances, tobacco smoke, pollution and excess hygiene or the use of other toxins that damage the skin barrier.
Specifically, periorbital dys-pigmentation, macular amyloidosis, infraorbital fold oedema and lateral eyebrow alopecia are all common clinical examples of head-and-neck atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as HNAD. Contributing factors to this condition can range from overexposure to airborne allergens, to Malassezia proteins causing hypersensitivity, as well as simple sweat, saliva, and food residue dermatitis.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis neck is often problematic for multiple reasons. The threats of long-term corticosteroid use and other potential side-effects from treatment have prompted a growing demand for a holistic approach to atopic dermatitis neck treatment.
Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis Neck
The most common treatment route for patients of atopic dermatitis in the neck is often corticosteroid treatment. Unfortunately, long-term use of corticosteroids in a topical format can carry risks like TCS withdrawal, and facial skin atrophy. Further, these topical therapies are often greasy and cosmetically unattractive for regular head and neck use. It is therefore difficult to ensure patient compliance.
Topical steroids on their own can also be responsible for causing various forms of skin irritation, which can further exacerbate existing problems of atopic dermatitis neck. Another significant issue is that, in the treatment of children, it is often difficult to prevent a child from wiping away a cream or topical steroid application before a full treatment has been realized.
The inefficiency of corticosteroid and topical steroid creams has led to an increased demand for holistic atopic dermatitis neck treatment. Treatment providers often recommend that sufferers should make changes to their lifestyle by avoiding strong detergents or soaps that may irritate the skin and staying away from materials which commonly cause itching.
Patients can also be advised to take antihistamines to reduce itchiness during severe flares, and told not to scratch affected areas, though children often struggle to comply with these guidelines. Long-term treatment strategies also recommend minimising contact with water and avoiding long scrubbing or washing sessions.
A Better Solution for atopic dermatitis neck
Conditions like atopic dermatitis neck cause more than just physical symptoms. The aesthetic appearance of this condition can further affect a person’s mental health, causing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. This is common in both adults and children.
A holistic treatment strategy is necessary to not only improve the outcomes of atopic dermatitis neck solutions, but also improve the wellbeing of patients avoiding side effects of common corticoid use. Fortunately, Reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma lucidum extract, could hold an answer. This mushroom, common as a treatment in Eastern countries, contains an active ingredient called ganoderic acid.
Effective at improving the immune system functioning of cells, ganoderic acid can lead to better immunomodulation performance within the human body, thereby reducing the risk of rashes and discomfort via atopic dermatitis neck. The Korea Institute for Science and Technology recently revealed that Ganoderma lucidum can act as a powerful anti-inflammatory for the skin.
Crucially, in order to reduce the amount of the active ingredient in the mushroom destroyed by processing, the contents must be extracted after drying the mushroom at the optimal temperatures. Careful extraction processes are essential to fully access the mushroom’s properties.
Reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma lucidum is an antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory product, which demonstrates positive results when used to suppress skin inflammation. The results of this study will be crucial in developing effective skin treatments in the future.
Immune imbalances can be linked to poor gastrointestinal health. Increased intestinal permeability, for example, becomes a route of entry for molecules that are recognised by the immune system as foreign organisms and leads to immune imbalances.Therefore, another medicinal mushroom of interest for atopic dermatitis is Lion’s Mane, Hericium erinaceus. It is considered an excellent prebiotic that helps maintain the intestinal microbiota. It contributes to the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium and thus prevents the passage of allergens that can lead to unwanted reactions.
Treating Skin Conditions with Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms like Reishi and Lion’s mane are effective in treating various skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis neck. These mushrooms contain high levels of beta-glucans, polysaccharides and triterpenes, which altogether assist in managing an unbalanced immunomodulatory function, reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy skin microbiota, both orally and topically.
Crucially, since the efficacy of these medicinal mushrooms varies according to the extraction and drying methods, it’s crucial to seek out high quality nutraceuticals and creams in which the extraction process is optimized and perfectly controlled. Patients suffering from atopic dermatitis neck will respond best to carefully chosen organic, pure and concentrated extracts which combine the most valuable bioactive compounds in Ganoderma lucidum and Hericium erinaceus that can be accompany other tools for this condition.
These extracts crucially, must also avoid any additives or synthetic substances which may encourage an additional flare up of the condition.