Nummular Dermatitis Treatment & Management

  • Author: Jami L Miller, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 20, 2011
 

Medical Care

Treatment is aimed at rehydration of the skin and repair of the epidermal lipid barrier, reduction of inflammation and treatment of any infection.

Lukewarm or cool baths or showers reduce itching and help rehydrate the skin. Patients should be instructed to bathe 1-2 times a day at least, followed by the application of moisturizers or medicated topical preparations to seal the water in the skin. The "soak-and-smear" therapeutic regimen includes a 20-minute plain water soak each night followed by application of steroid ointment or petrolatum to wet skin and includes alteration of cleansing habits so that soap is applied only to the axilla and groin. One study showed greater than 90% response in 27 of 28 patients with refractory chronic pruritic eruptions when the regimen was followed as directed.[18]

Wet wrap treatments are often helpful. This involves dampening the skin with lukewarm water until it is well hydrated (usually 10 min). Then, petrolatum or steroid ointment is applied liberally, followed by occlusion for 1 hour with damp pajamas or a nonbreathable sauna suit. For small areas of involvement, plastic wrap may be used to occlude the area. This process may be repeated 5-6 times a day with petrolatum. Caution must be used when prescription steroid medications are used because overuse of these medications can cause striae, thinning of the skin, and, rarely, enough systemic absorption of steroid to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Steroids are the most commonly used therapy to reduce inflammation.

Topical steroids are effective. Less erythematous, less pruritic lesions may be treated with low-potency (class III-VI) steroids. Severely inflamed lesions with intense erythema, vesicles, and pruritus require high-potency (class I-II) preparations. Penetration of the medication is enhanced by occlusion or presoaking in a tub of plain water followed immediately (without drying) by application of the steroid-containing ointment.

Application of the medicine to damp skin allows more effective penetration and faster healing.

Ointments are usually more effective than creams because they are more occlusive, form a barrier between the skin and the environment, and more effectively hold water into the skin.

Emollients and topical class I-III topical steroids may be used short term.

Oral, intramuscular, or parenteral steroids may be required in cases of severe, generalized eruptions.

Tar preparations are helpful to decrease inflammation, particularly in older, thickened, scaly plaques.

Topical immune modulators (tacrolimus and pimecrolimus) also reduce inflammation. These are often initiated a few days after the topical steroid to decrease the risk of a burning sensation that may occur when applied to extremely irritated skin.

When eruptions are generalized and prolonged, phototherapy (generally UVB) may be helpful.[19]

Oral antihistamines or sedatives may help reduce itching and improve sleep.

Oral antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin, cephalexin, or erythromycin, should be used in cases of secondary infection. Swab cultures of the skin guide selection of antibiotics.

Phototherapy may be helpful. Broadband or narrow band UVB is most commonly used, although PUVA (Psoralen + UVA) may be used in severe cases.

Once the eruption has resolved, ongoing aggressive hydration may decrease the frequency between flares, particularly in dry climates. Heavy moisturizers (preferably a sensitive-skin formulation) or petroleum jelly applied to damp skin after showering may be helpful.

Disease may be severe and refractory to the above treatments. Immune suppressive medications such as methotrexate have been described to be safe and effective in these severly affected patients.[20]

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Consultations

Because lesions are persistent and may be difficult to treat, consultation with a dermatologist in an outpatient setting may be advisable.

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Activity

Activities that heat or dry the skin worsen the pruritus and the eruption.

  • Resting in a cool, moist environment is therapeutic.
  • Heat, drying conditions, and irritating activities should be avoided.
  • Sunlight or phototherapy may be beneficial, particularly in chronic cases. Ultraviolet radiation helps reduce the inflammatory activity within the skin. The risk of heat worsening the pruritus and of ultraviolet light inducing cutaneus malignancies must be weighed against the potential benefits.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jami L Miller, MD  Assistant Professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical School; Director of Phototherapy Unit, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Consulting Attending Physician, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Jami L Miller, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

John D Wilkinson, MD, MBBS, MRCS, FRCP  Chairman, Clinical Director, Department of Dermatology, Amersham Hospital and High Wycombe Hospital, UK

John D Wilkinson, MD, MBBS, MRCS, FRCP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Royal College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

References

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Dry, scaling plaque of nummular dermatitis (size, 3 X 5 cm) on the shin.
 
 
 
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