Itchy ridged skin on back of neck - what’s causing it? Photo attached!

[CarrieBlu]

As per thread title really...

Over the past couple of years I’ve developed thickened, ridged, itchy skin on the back of my neck. I’ve tried different creams to sort it, some over the counter, some prescribed for my eczema, but none have helped. Does anyone here know what skin condition it might be, or what might be causing it? I feel a bit silly booking a doctors appointment just because of some weird skin on my neck...but it’s driving me bloody mad and I need to sort it.

Photo attached to show what I mean. Any advice appreciated!

Have you checked for nits as that is classic area they hang out. We’re desling with an outbreak and they can cause irritation if you’re allergic

Definitely not nits. No itching on my scalp at all, just on the back of my neck where the rough skin is. I get my mum to check my hair regularly too as we have young DC in the house (they’re regularly checked also). The skin on my neck started going funny about two years ago and has recently become worse than ever. I haven’t changed shampoo or anything like that either.

Is it not just ageing? I say that as I am in my mid fifties and skin changes so much as time goes on. Forgive me if you are only 25!

Does the skin flake there as well?

Contact dermatitis? Have you changed washing powder / hair spray / shower gel / wear any jewellery? Or rubbed your neck after touching plants - tomatoes and tomato plants do something similar to me.
If it's been a couple of years then must be something you're regularly in contact with, can you think of anything that makes it worse?
Try E45anti itch or 1% hydrocortisone cream?

urban I hope it’s not ageing, I’m 30 but haven’t aged anywhere else yet! No wrinkles, just a couple of small patches of eczema on my legs that I’ve had since I was tiny.

jelly nope, doesn’t flake. It’s quite hard, toughened skin. And when you touch it there are thick deep lines/ridges in it. Not like my eczema at all.

Daffy that’s what I’ve been thinking. But we use fairy detergent, same as we always have. Same creams I’ve used for years, E45 or Cetraben.

No jewellery. I even stopped straightening my hair in case the heat was affecting my skin. A year on and that’s not helped. I don’t tend to come into contact with plants as my dad does our gardening for us. The only major change is that since 2015 I’ve had two babies and as a result am now a couple of stone heavier than I would normally be.

Go see the GP, preferably one who has an interest in dermatology

I would start with a pharmacist to try maybe hydrocortisone cream or another stronger cream. But if that doesn't work go to the doctor. I have a small eczema patch there that occasionally I need to get a pharmacist cream for. Once I used that cream for a fortnight and it didn't help so I went to the doctor who prescribed a cream - cleared it up in a couple of days. There are a lot of things that can be tried.

It can be an early symptom of diabetes apparently. Probably not, have a quick look at the link. lifebru.com/early-symptoms-of-diabetes/

Possibly psoriasis which causes thickened skin. Gp visit?

Thanks for the link Leela, I hadn’t found that information. Interesting though. I am definitely a lot heavier and have a much poorer diet these days so I suppose diabetes could be a possibility.

Either way, I think it’s clear a GP visit is in order. Thanks for the advice everyone. If anyone is interest I shall report back with the diagnosis.

I know this is an old thread, but wondered how you got on with the GP, CarrieBlu as I have exactly the same issue same as in your photograph.