Lichen simplex chronicus
| Lichen simplex chronicus | |
|---|---|
 Micrograph of lichen simplex chronicus. H&E stain. | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | L28.0 |
| ICD-9 | 698.3 |
| DiseasesDB | 31441 |
| MedlinePlus | 000872 |
| eMedicine | derm/236 |
| MeSH | D009450 |
Lichen simplex chronicus (also known as "Neurodermatitis"[1]) is a skin disorder characterized by chronic itching and scratching.[2]:58 The constant scratching causes thick, leathery, brownish skin.
Causes
This is a skin disorder characterized by a self-perpetuating scratch-itch cycle:
- It may begin with something that rubs, irritates, or scratches the skin, such as clothing.
- This causes the person to rub or scratch the affected area. Constant scratching causes the skin to thicken.
- The thickened skin itches, causing more scratching, causing more thickening.
- Affected area may spread rapidly through the rest of the body.
The skin may become leathery and brownish in the affected area. This disorder may be associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis. It may also be associated with nervousness, anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.
It is common in children, who chronically scratch insect bites and other areas.
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at reducing itching and minimizing existing lesions because rubbing and scratching cause lichen simplex chronicus. The itching and inflammation may be treated with a lotion or steroid cream (such as Betamethasone) applied to the affected area of the skin.
Suggestion
Keep fingernails very short to minimize skin damage when scratching is unavoidable.
Gallery
See also
- Pruritus
- List of cutaneous conditions
References
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