7 common signs of prurigo nodularis
Prurigo nodularis is an inflammatory and chronic skin disease in which people suffer extreme itchiness, symmetrically distributed rashes, black spots, and lesions on different parts of the skin. The rashes associated with this condition usually appear on the legs, arms, upper back, and abdomen. As implied earlier, the most common prurigo nodularis symptom is significant itchiness. This itching tends to be severe enough to affect individuals’ sleep and mental well-being.
Skin discoloration
Prurigo nodularis causes permanent skin changes in individuals. Its primary symptom, itching and irritation, causes the skin to undergo problems such as dark pigmentation, changes in thickness, and nodular growth. Initially, individuals with this condition may be unable to discern a difference. However, as time goes by, things tend to get progressively visible. Skin discoloration is the most common indicator that an individual has prurigo nodularis.
Usually, discoloration is a common symptom of many health conditions. When they show this symptom, people must visit their dermatologist immediately to uncover the underlying issues causing the condition.
Burning and stinging sensation
Prurigo nodularis affects much more than just a person’s skin. Another key area in which this health condition shows its presence is in an individual’s immune system. The changes in the immune system function that this health condition brings about cause the skin surface to have a burning sensation. Many individuals with prurigo nodularis complain of pain or stinging sensation that affects their daily living and working functions. Burning and stinging sensations are some of the most precise indicators of prurigo nodularis. Healthcare experts do not need to spend much time with their clients with these symptoms to diagnose this disease.
Scratchy skin
Like most skin-related infections and other health conditions, prurigo nodularis affects the nerve ends on a person’s skin. Essentially, the nerves get damaged or inflamed, resulting in extreme itchiness. As implied earlier, the itchiness in this condition causes significant distress in people and affects their mental health, too. Because the itchiness cannot be driven entirely away, it is common for individuals with this condition to experience bouts of anger, anxiety, and despair on a day-to-day basis.
If someone experiences extreme scratchiness, then they may have prurigo nodularis. Therefore, people with this condition must meet dermatologists early to inhibit and control the severity of this condition’s symptoms.
Skin lesions
Another one of the common indicators of prurigo nodularis is the rapid and largely unexplained emergence of bumps and nodules on the skin surface of individuals. These bumps and nodules are a part of the itchiness of this condition. As a result, people with this condition tend to scratch, hurt, and damage their skin, causing red-colored rashes and lesions. Skin lesions and rashes are symptoms that this condition shares with other skin conditions like eczema.
All in all, an experienced dermatologist will be able to diagnose this condition in people based on this symptom.
Skin thickening
Eventually, the itchiness and lesions caused by prurigo nodularis tend to drastically change the characteristics of a person’s skin. A common symptom of this condition is the thickening of the skin. As a result, people with prurigo nodularis are likely to have varying levels of sensation to touch in various areas due to the thickening. The areas of the affected skin may appear differently colored on the outside. This is another typical symptom of prurigo nodularis that clients may clearly show when they visit a general healthcare professional or a dermatologist.
Dark spots on the skin
Apart from rashes and nodules, prurigo nodularis also tends to cause spottiness on various areas of a person’s skin. These spots tend to affect the skin tone and texture drastically. Dermatologists suggest their clients start treatment immediately to reduce the severity of prurigo nodularis symptoms to improve their quality of life.
The itching and bumps can last months or even years without adequate treatment. On the other hand, treatment can cause the bumps to clear in a relatively short time. The spots are often lighter than the individual’s natural skin color.
Inability to sleep
The itchiness and burning sensation cause people to dedicate time to their skin condition, causing individuals to suffer from a lack of sleep. Chronic insomnia is one of individuals’ most common indicators of prurigo nodularis.