Why are the leukocytes increased in neurodermatitis?
In technical terms, the disease neurodermatitis is called “atopic eczema”. This causes an inflammatory reaction above the skin surface that affects different parts of the body. The phenomenon is one of the atopic skin diseases and occurs in both children and adults. An inflammatory reaction takes place within the organism, which is why the leukocytes are increased in neurodermatitis. Also known as white blood cells, these cells destroy foreign substances that enter the bloodstream.
In order to bring about a temporary reduction in white blood cells , doctors prescribe cortisone to patients with the skin disease. This drug is an anti-inflammatory and suppresses the body’s immune system. For this reason, the medication is only given for a limited period of time.
Elevated leukocytes in neurodermatitis – the conclusion
In the case of the atopic skin disease neurodermatitis, inflammation develops on the skin surface, which changes the structure of the epidermis in the long term. At the beginning of the disease, those affected suffer from a defect in the skin barrier. This creates inflammation that spreads. As a result, the concentration of leukocytes increases in neurodermatitis. Their number exceeds the normal value because the sick have a weakened immune system.
With the increase in white blood cells, the organism tries to stabilize the body’s defenses. For this purpose, the T-lymphocytes are of great importance. They recognize the invading foreign bodies during the inflammation and activate the scavenger cells .
What is neurodermatitis?
The term neurodermatitis indicates an incorrect conclusion about the cause of the disease. At the beginning of the 19th century, doctors believed that the inflammation was due to an infection of the nerve tracts. Later research disproved the thesis, but the name was retained. In addition to atopic eczema, doctors use the term atopic dermatitis as a synonym.
The disease is an inflammation of the skin surface that occurs in different places. The rash varies in intensity. The scaly and in some cases weeping epidermis is a characteristic symptom of the health complication. In addition, the affected patients suffer from reddening of the skin and unpleasant itching.
Due to the constant irritation, injuries occur in the skin, which lead to an increase in leukocytes in neurodermatitis. The normal value is between 3,800 and 10,500 pieces in a microliter of blood. If the patients suffer from the atopic skin disease, the white blood cells multiply. This particularly affects the memory cells, which are called lymphocytes. The T-lymphocytes store information about invading pathogens. These include, for example:
- viruses
- Bacteria,
- foreign matter,
- parasites
- and mushrooms.
If these get back into the bloodstream, the lymphocytes recognize them and activate the scavenger cells. They are the granulocytes . If the process occurs, those affected benefit from the immunity. A weakened skin barrier is the main cause of atopic dermatitis.
Various pathogens penetrate through the resulting cracks in the skin. These ensure an overproduction of white blood cells, since the organism needs sufficient defenses. As a result, the leukocytes increase in neurodermatitis and usually remain elevated. If the doctors carry out a blood test on the sick person, they will see a significant increase in the number of immune cells.
Why is it primarily the lymphocytes that increase?
The proliferation of leukocytes in neurodermatitis results from the leaking barrier of the epidermis. Various pathogens easily get into the blood and activate the memory cells. As a rule, even a small infection of the skin is the beginning of the health complication. Due to the inflammatory reaction, the organism of those affected releases a large number of cytokines.
These are proteins that are responsible for cell growth. The cytokines activate the T cells, which belong to the lymphocytes. At the same time, the Langerhans cells react to special allergens that penetrate through the destroyed skin barrier. As a result, IgE antibodies bind to the dendritic cells. The latter ensure further activation of the T lymphocytes.
Due to the strong increase in leukocytes in neurodermatitis, more white blood cells feel stimulated to immigrate. If the T-lymphocytes multiply, the concentration of the eosinophilic granulocytes increases as a result . In addition, the T helper cells show greater activity. These stimulate the entire production of antibodies. Doctors refer to the sudden increase in T cells as a type IV allergic reaction.
Leukocytes worsen the disease
The multiplication of the different leukocytes in neurodermatitis leads to an aggravation of the symptoms. This is specifically due to the T cells, which stimulate the keratinocytes. The latter reach apoptosis via the Fas receptors. This is programmed cell death. This means that more and more skin cells die off, changing the structure of the epidermis. The skin barrier appears permeable and a large number of pathogens enter the organism.
At the same time, the lymphocytes release auto-allergens inside the body. These act in a cross-reaction to the exogenous allergens. This creates a cross-allergy in the affected persons. This means that the allergens attack all allergy sources and cause an allergic reaction. In this case, the inflammatory skin reaction takes place even if the sufferer avoids renewed contact with allergy sources.
Consequently, the leukocytes are not exclusively helpful antibodies in neurodermatitis. Instead, there is a possibility that their proliferation may exacerbate the skin’s inflammatory response. To avoid destruction of the upper layer of skin, doctors prescribe special ointments to patients. They primarily contain the important vitamin B, which promotes the renewal of skin cells.
Vitamin B 12 , cyanocobalamin, plays a particularly important role in alternative medicine. In the study “Evaluation of topical vitamin B (12) for the treatment of childhood eczema”, the scientists are investigating its effect on skin irritation.
If neurodermatitis is not treated promptly, there is a risk that serious complications will occur. For example, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus get on the affected skin layer. The condition of the epidermis deteriorates as a result of the infestation. At the same time, the leukocytes react to the renewed inflammation, so that their number repeatedly increases.
Over a longer period of time, there is a risk that the body will not be able to fully cope with the production of antibodies. This leads, for example, to a temporary undersupply of white blood cells. The weakening of the immune defense favors the virus and bacteria infestation of the organism. In order to avoid this, early treatment of atopic dermatitis is paramount.
