Lichen Simplex Chronicus Overview
Learn About Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) is a skin condition caused by chronic itching and scratching.
LSC; Neurodermatitis circumscripta
LSC may occur in people who have:
- Skin allergies
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Psoriasis
- Nervousness, anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems
The problem is common in adults but may also be seen in children.
LSC leads to scratching, which then causes more itching. It often follows this pattern:
- It may start when something rubs, irritates, or scratches the skin, such as clothing.
- The person begins to rub or scratch the itchy area. Constant scratching (often during sleep) causes the skin to thicken.
- The thickened skin itches, and this leads to more scratching. This then causes more thickening of the skin.
- The skin may become leathery and brownish in the affected area.
Symptoms include:
- Itching of the skin that may be long-term (chronic), intense, and that increases with stress
- Leathery texture to the skin
- Raw areas of skin
- Scaling
- Skin lesion, patch, or plaque with sharp borders and a leathery texture, located on the ankle, wrist, back of the neck, rectum, anal area, forearms, thighs, lower leg, back of the knee, and inner elbow
The main treatment is to reduce the itch.
You may need to use these medicines on your skin:
- Lotion or steroid cream on the area to calm itching and irritation
- Numbing medicine
- Peeling ointments containing salicylic acid, lactic acid, or urea on patches of thick skin
You may need to use dressings that moisturize, cover, and protect the area. These may be used with or without medicated creams. They are left in place for a week or more at a time. Wearing cotton gloves at night may prevent skin damage from scratching.
To control itching and stress, you may need to take medicines by mouth, such as:
- Antihistamines
- Other oral medicines that control itch or pain
Steroids may be injected directly into the skin patches to reduce itching and irritation.
You may need to take antidepressants and tranquilizers if the cause of your itching is emotional. Other measures include:
- Counseling to help you realize the importance of not scratching
- Stress management
- Behavior modification
Medical Faculty Associates, Inc
Jonathan Silverberg is a Dermatologist in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Silverberg has been practicing medicine for over 16 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lichen Simplex Chronicus. His top areas of expertise are Atopic Dermatitis, Stasis Dermatitis and Ulcers, Contact Dermatitis, and Vitiligo.
Monica Corazza practices in Ferrara, Italy. Corazza and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lichen Simplex Chronicus. Her top areas of expertise are Lichen Sclerosus, Contact Dermatitis, Lichen Simplex Chronicus, Cherry Angioma, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery.
MercyOne North Iowa
Yen Liu is a Dermatologist and a Pediatrics provider in Mason City, Iowa. Dr. Liu and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lichen Simplex Chronicus. His top areas of expertise are Plaque Psoriasis, Psoriasis, Basal Cell Skin Cancer, and Seborrheic Keratosis.
You can control LSC by reducing itch and controlling scratching. While the condition can be treated, it often returns. The condition may return or move to different areas on the skin. Ongoing management can help relieve symptoms.
These complications of LSC can occur:
- Bacterial and fungal skin infection
- Permanent changes in skin color
- Permanent scar
Contact your provider if:
- Symptoms get worse
- You develop new symptoms, especially signs of skin infection such as pain, redness, drainage from the area, or fever
Summary: This is a parallel, Phase 3, 2-arm study for treatment. The purpose of this study is to measure improvement in pruritus with dupilumab subcutaneous injections compared with placebo injections in male and female participants aged at least 18 years with LSC. Study details include: The study duration will be up to 40 weeks. The treatment duration will be up to 24 weeks. The follow-up duration after t...
Summary: This is a parallel, Phase 3, 2-arm study for treatment. The purpose of this study is to measure improvement in pruritus with dupilumab subcutaneous injections compared with placebo injections in male and female participants aged at least 18 years with LSC. Study details include: The study duration will be up to 40 weeks. The treatment duration will be up to 24 weeks. The follow-up duration after t...
Published Date: November 18, 2022
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update: 06/13/2024.
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James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatoses. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 4.
Patterson JW. The psoriasiform reaction pattern. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2021:chap 5.
Renzi MA, Sommer LL, Baker DJ. Lichen simplex chronicus. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2022:chap 138.
Zug KA. Eczema. In: Habif TP, Dinulos JGH, Chapman MS, Zug KA, eds. Skin Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 2.