Understanding Treatment Options for Prurigo Nodularis Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a condition in which skin is extremely itchy. Prolonged scratching can cause even itchier bumps called nodules to form. In many cases, PN develops in people who already live with a condition that makes skin itchy, including eczema, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. Sometimes, treating these underlying conditions can help resolve the itch. Many treatments are available. To address the itch of PN, you may try:- Itch-relieving creams- Anti-inflammatory meds like corticosteroids- Antihistamines- Biologic drugs- Antidepressants- Phototherapy- Cryosurgery Cryosurgery involves removing nodules by freezing them. People of Color may want to avoid this option, as it can cause light spots and scarring. Self-care techniques to treat PN include:- Prioritize mental health, as PN can affect sleep and wellbeing- Keep skin moisturized - Use fragrance-free products - Avoid hot water when bathing- Identify and avoid PN triggers- Act quickly after noticing signs of a skin infection Refrain from scratching. It may be difficult to stop, but scratching can prevent treatments from working and can cause new bumps to develop. Tips to stop scratching:- Cover nodules and itchy skin with clothes or bandages- Keep nails short- Wear gloves or mittens Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right dermatologist to diagnose and treat prurigo nodularis. And share this video to help spread the word!

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Prurigo Nodularis 1. People with prurigo nodularis (PN) experience very itchy skin. After scratching skin often for more than 6 weeks, bumps called nodules may appear – and these are even itchier. 2. Many people with PN live with conditions that make their skin itch, including eczema, allergies, and end-stage kidney disease. However, some people with PN don’t have another condition that causes itchy skin – and many people with itchy skin don’t develop PN. 3. Studies suggest Black people are more likely than white people to develop PN, although more research is needed to understand why. 4. PN-related itching can be so severe that it interferes with sleep and mental wellness. If itching is affecting your day-to-day life, you’re not alone. Reach out to a mental health professional for support. 5. Treatments for PN include anti-itch creams, corticosteroids, biologic meds, light therapy, and cryosurgery. Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right dermatologist to diagnose and treat prurigo nodularis. And share this video to help spread the word!

Dr. Shawn KwatraI believe PN is one of the most devastating diseases. Typical signs of prurigo nodularis are chronic itch, nodules on the skin. Many of these nodules are going to be really red and scratched open and bleeding. Sometimes folks say, oh, it must be in your head. That's one of the biggest things that we're actually trying to combat right now is the fact that this has a clear pathophysiological origin. It is not just in people's heads. The itch is so unrelenting that oftentimes it impairs sleep and then it can secondarily lead to anxiety or depression. We know that prurigo nodularis is more likely to develop in middle age individuals, and is slightly more likely to develop in women. We also know, especially within the United States, that it disproportionately affects skin of color patient populations, so both Black and Asian populations. When you have prurigo nodularis, there have been studies done showing that you have arguably the greatest itch intensity and oftentimes you'll need prescription drugs in those situations. Typically, a first stop for dermatologists is things like topical steroids. Unfortunately, these topical medications are less effective in PN than other diseases like eczema or psoriasis. Also, in skin of color patients, we would worry about hypopigmentation and in all patients, atrophy, as well. Biologics are leading the way. So you are specifically zoning in on what is one of the key drivers of inflammation. And so what you're doing is you're able to reduce that itch-scratch cycle. Anything that you can do to lower your overall stress level and and improve your health is going to help a lot. So any things you can do to get more sleep, to get more exercise, eat an extremely well-balanced diet. so with high fiber, fruits, and vegetables, can help the disease. But, you know, I don't think these things alone are going to eliminate the disease. I think patients should really have hope because it's not just one therapy. It's many therapies that are in the pipeline for this condition. This is absolutely the best time to have PN.

Aleidy: Take care of yourself, not only on the outside with moisturizers, but also from the inside out. Drink a lot of water. Try to figure out what foods trigger your skin to become irritated, and also avoid harsh fabrics and detergents. Aleidy: I had go through a whole trial and error of trying different moisturizers that were more gentle on my skin. I saw a dermatologist, and he recommended a fragrant-free moisturizer and a mild soap. Jessica: Coconut oil was really what I heard was kind of the best thing. No sulfates. No parabens. Really, any product that I put on my skin, I try to keep it as natural and organic as possible. Antoinette: I just cake my face full of petroleum jelly. It's like a mask for me, and I go to sleep with it. Aleidy: I prevent my skin from becoming dry, so when I come out of the shower, I moisturize right away. Jessica: I really try to limit what my makeup use is just because I think that I break out when I put too much makeup on. Aleidy: I also avoid very rough fabrics, and not too much sun exposure. Antoinette: Ever since I switched detergent, my skin is so much better now. Before, I used to use this very harsh detergent that literally broke out my skin the minute I put my shirt on and my pants on. Jessica: When I eat healthier, my whole body feels better, including my skin. Antoinette: Before, I would eat a lot of junk food, and I noticed that I had a lot of dark spots, but now that I eat fresh food, my skin has changed drastically. Aleidy: Hydrate. Drink a lot of water. If you feel very stressed, it can trigger you to have a breakout. Antoinette: One of the things that I do to help me manage my stress is actually working out and doing yoga. Jessica: I take a lot of classes: Zumba, Pilates, spin. Aleidy: It helps my pores open up when you're sweating. It's good to sweat out, to sweat it out. Jessica: My skin glows and feels so much better. Aleidy: As I've gotten older, it's actually better because I am more careful about my skin. I've been through so many different treatments that I know now what works for my skin, and I know triggers, what to avoid, how to prevent my skin from becoming irritated in the first place.

Sensitive skin affects about 50% of American women and about 40% of American men, yet we still don't have a full understanding of this irritating issue. In fact, sensitive skin has puzzled researchers for decades. Fortunately, in recent years, experts have started to study it more closely. And what they've found might surprise you. 1. Sensitive skin means different things to different people. Although we don't have an exact definition, researchers generally agree that it's a condition in which skin is delicate and highly reactive to many different kinds of irritants. If you have sensitive skin, you might experience redness, itchiness, tingling, tightness, stinging, dryness, or other uncomfortable sensations. You might be affected by all of these symptoms, or just one or two. 2. Lots of different things can trigger a skin reaction. And everyone has different triggers. It can be frustrating to identify exactly what's irritating your skin. But it's important to avoid your unique triggers. The most common things that cause a sensitive skin reaction are heat, cold, stress, sun exposure, pollution, wind, chemicals, and fragrances like those in your lotion or laundry detergent. And throughout your life, your triggers may change. 3. The most common places to have sensitive skin are the face, hands, scalp, and feet. You can have sensitive skin anywhere on your body, but it's most likely to affect areas more exposed to the sun and other irritants. 4. Too many different serums and lotions may do more harm than good. We all want wrinkle-free, even-toned, glowing skin. And we use lots of products to make that happen. But using too many products at once can actually aggravate the skin and make it overly sensitive. Avoid this by sticking to only one or two products at a time. And make sure to wash your face with a gentle cleanser daily. 5. It's easy to confuse sensitive skin with skin allergies, but they're two different problems. If you experience a reaction to an allergen like a preservative or pet dander, that's considered an allergy. During an allergic reaction, your skin may become red and itchy. But sensitive skin reactions aren't usually visible. You might experience itching and burning without developing redness or puffiness. Although there's still a lot we don't know about sensitive skin, the information we've learned in recent years can lead to calmer, healthier skin and a calmer, healthier you.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Sensitive Skin 1. Almost half of all Americans have sensitive skin.Of those, sensitive skin is more common in women. 2. We don’t yet know what causes sensitive skin.Experts are researching why sensitive skin occurs, but we still don’t have an exact understanding. 3. Sensitive skin triggers may change as you age.You might react to dyes, fragrances and chemicals in products like makeup and laundry detergent. But over the years, your triggers may change! 4. Sensitive skin can be irritated by clothes. Fabrics like synthetics and wool can aggravate sensitive skin. Stick to clothing made from 100% cotton, silk, or linen. 5. Stress can make sensitive skin worse.Most triggers are physical or environmental, but studies show stress plays a role in irritating sensitive skin, too. Share this video to help spread the word about sensitive skin!