Why Does My Neck Itch and Develop Bumps When It Gets Hot?
The condition of feeling itchy and developing bumps on the neck upon feeling hot is considered as neural dermatitis, also known as chronic simple lichen. It is a chronic skin disease characterized by paroxysmal skin itching and skin lichenification. It is a common skin disease, mostly seen in adults, and generally does not occur in children. Local irritation such as friction caused by a stiff collar, chemical irritation, insect bites, sun exposure, scratching, etc., can all trigger the occurrence of this disease.
In the early stages of neural dermatitis, there is only a sensation of itching without primary skin lesions. Due to scratching and friction, the skin gradually develops flat papules ranging from millet to mung bean size, which are round or polygonal, hard and shiny, with a light red or normal skin color, and are scattered. Because of the paroxysmal severe itching, patients often scratch, leading to a gradual increase in the number of papules. Over time, they fuse into patches, becoming hypertrophic and lichenified, with deepened skin lines, raised skin ridges, and darkened, dry, and finely desquamated skin lesions. The boundaries of the patch-like skin lesions are clear, and the edges may have small flat papules that are scattered and isolated. The number of skin lesion patches is variable, and they can be single or widespread throughout the body, varying in size and shape. Neural dermatitis is commonly found on both sides of the neck, the nape, the elbows, the popliteal fossae, the sacral tail, the wrists, and the ankles, as well as on the lower back, eyelids, limbs, and external genitalia.
If the skin lesions are limited to one or several locations, it is considered localized neural dermatitis. If the skin lesions are widely distributed or even affect the entire body, it is referred to as generalized neural dermatitis. The subjective symptoms are paroxysmal severe itching, which is especially severe at night and can affect sleep. Scratching can lead to bloodstains and blood scabs, and severe cases can be complicated by folliculitis and lymphadenitis. This disease is chronic, with symptoms varying in severity, and it is easy to relapse after treatment.
The main goal of treatment is to relieve itching and prevent patients from scratching due to itching, which can further exacerbate the condition. 1. Systemic treatment may include the use of antihistamines, calcium agents, and other symptomatic antipruritic drugs, supplemented by internal administration of vitamin B complex. Severe itching may require the use of sedatives. Widespread rash may be treated with intravenous procaine blockade or combined use of Tripterygium wilfordii drugs. 2. Topical treatment may include the application of glucocorticoid ointments, creams, or solutions. For hypertrophic lesions, occlusion or combined use of 10% black bean oil ointment may be used. Refractory skin lesions may be treated with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide injection.
