Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Lichen Simplex Chronicus General Information

Neuro-dermatitis circumscripta is a quite common medical disorder that is also known as Lichen Simplex Chronicus (this medical term is often abbreviated as LSC). This defines an itchy medical disorder that affects the patient’s skin. The most common cause of the development of this medical condition is injury that is due to repeated rubbing and / or scratching. This medical disorder is not a primary clinical condition; some physicians consider it the skin’s response to trauma (chronic physical injury). Lichenification is a commonly encountered medical term that defines the gradual thickening of the patient’s skin that is due to repetitive rubbing and / or scratching.

The first symptom of this medical disorder (Lichen Simplex Chronicus) is itchiness (mild, moderate or severe itchiness). This condition determines rubbing and / or scratching, worsening the thickening of the skin. A scratchy-itch cycle is formed without an adequate therapy, as the thickened skin is also itchy. This medical disorder can affect patients of any sex, age or race. However, studies have shown that the presence of this clinical disorder is much more common in the case of female patients than in the case of male individuals. Elderly patients or middle-aged adults are much more prone to developing this medical disorder. Among the common causes of this disease are: scars, insect bites, eczema, dry skin, stress, anxiety, venous insufficiency, and so on.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Symptoms

Although the presence of this medical condition (Lichen Simplex Chronicus) can affect almost any area of the human body, this disorder is much more commonly seen in body areas such as: inner elbows, forearms and / or wrists, the neck’s back and sides, tops of feet, ankles, shins, knees, upper thighs, scrotum, vulva, anus, scalp, and so on.

A lesion that is attributed to the presence of this medical disorder (Lichen Simplex Chronicus) generally appears as a thickened, leathery skin area that presents exaggerated skin lines. The skin area that is affected by this illness also present hyper pigmentation, as it is of a darker color than the patient’s general skin color. The darkening is more easily observed in the case of dark-skinned patients. Patients who have been diagnosed with this skin medical condition have reported that itchiness is the main symptom of Lichen Simplex Chronicus. This symptom tends to worsen during night or when the patient stays still for any reason.

Other common clinical manifestations that have been associated with the presence of this medical condition of the skin include: scaling, scratch marks, raw areas, excoriation, reddened skin areas, increased stress, nervous tension, and so on. The diagnosis of this medical condition is generally made after a close examination of he patient’s lesions. The physician will look for the common symptoms that we have listed above. However, the list of common clinical manifestations that we have granted you is not complete. Your physician will know more about the average clinical signs and / or symptoms that are commonly associated with this type of dermatitis.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Treatment

All patients who are diagnosed with the presence of this particular medical condition (commonly known as Lichen Simplex Chronicus) ought to be trained regarding a set of very useful self care measures that they should start taking into consideration. For example, the first step that an individual should take in order to effectively manage his or her skin medical disorder is to try and stop scratching. Patients have complained that this is very difficult, especially after a scratch-itchy cycle has already been started. As many patients have admitted that they also scratch during their sleep, coverage of the lesions should be done before bedtime. The use of moisturizers may help ease the symptoms of this medical condition. The most effective remedies of this kind are those that are based on oil (they are much more effective than those based on water). Such medical products should be applied after a bath, as at this time, the patient’s skin is still well moisturized. Applying non-prescription hydrocortisone-based products may also ease itching. However, if the patient experiences this symptom only in the groin area, the possibility that him or her may be suffering from another medical disorder that is caused by a fungus (like Jock Itch that is triggered by tinea cruris) should be taken into consideration. If the individual’s lesions that are caused by Lichen Simplex Chronicus present cracks or skin breaks, the use of an antibiotic ointment is crucial. This is preformed in order for the patient to avoid experiencing an unwanted infection.

If these self care measures did not help you deal with your medical condition (if you symptoms have not improved) you are in need of professional medical assistance. Your personal health care provider will do his best to try and break your scratch-itch cycle. For this purpose, he or she may recommend the use of aggressive skin moisturizing methods. The use of Cortisone creams is also effective. Other physicians recommend their patients to start using creams that contain urea or salicylic acid (in this way the ingredients of the topical corticosteroid cream penetrate your skin in a deeper way). The intake of oral antihistamines should be done before bedtime. The lesions that are caused by the presence of this disorder (Lichen Simplex Chronicus) should be injected with a special corticosteroid based solution. Some patients were provided great ease through a therapy with ultraviolet lights. If physicians have settled that the patient’s skin medical disorder is caused by anxiety, stress or any other psychological factors, the intake of anti-depressants or sedatives might also prove effective. If the patient also presents adjacent infections (apart from their Lichen Simplex Chronicus) he or she should be immediately prescribed a therapy with antibiotic medical products.

If the patient does not receive a proper therapy for his or her skin medical disorder, potential unwanted complications might occur. The most common of them include the development of permanent changes of the patient’s skin color, the presence of permanent scars, the development of a secondary skin infection, and so on. For further information, contact the physician who is treating you for Lichen Simplex Chronicus.