Look Young Again!

Home :: Skin Disorders :: Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Over The Counter Drugs To Treat Lichen Simplex Chronicus

The Lichen Simplex Chronicus is, for the sake of simplicity called LSC. It is a skin disorder characterized by chronic itching and scratching. Itching and scratching cause thick leathery brownish skin. In turn such skin conditions trigger itching; this is an infinite loop.

Cause

Some thing least suspected could start the illness - some object that rubs or irritates. This could be even the clothing; some such irritant from the least expected source might start the scratching .As a result of constant scratching, thickening of the skin occurs.

It may be more appropriate to call the LSC a symptom rather than a specific disease by itself. Habitual scratching of a certain area over a long period causes the skin inflammation. The result is, characteristic changes like thickening and darkening of the skin with papules occurring as a result of scratching. The skin lines become more prominent. Such changes have a name. All these changes resulting from the initial symptoms go by the collective name of lichenification.

There are other skin conditions like atopic dermatitis or eczema or psoriasis; these are very similar to the Lichen simplex chronicus. Litchen simplex Chronicus is also known to be caused by nervousness, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders.

Children:

Children have proneness to this illness. Because children have the tendency to scratch insect bites and have less control over their impulses. The mentally retarded children are a major high-risk group. They have the predisposition due to their mental incapacity, for repetitive movements of their limbs; such habitual and uncontrolled movements result in rubbing and irritating certain areas. Lichen simplex is also common among people with eczema. Eczema can affect the entire body, while LSC is usual in one area. The nerves terminate in the affected area; they are irritable and trigger the itch- scratch- itch cycle. The more the eruption is scratched or rubbed, the more the itch, and so goes the cycle perpetually.

Appearance:

LSC commonly appears in ankles, wrists, back and side of neck, fore arm portion of the elbow, scrotum uvula and pubis; it is also usual on upper eyelids, ear opening, and fold behind the ear.

Treatment

The first step in the treatment for LSC is to stop the scratching. Counseling plays an important part in the treatment against LSC. The patient has to become aware of the importance of not scratching. Because it is also a stress-induced illness, stress management and behavior modification has to be taught. As for medication, lotion or steroid creams may be applied to the itching and inflammatory area. Salicylic acid may be used on thickened lesions.
Soaps or lotions containing coal tar may be recommended.
Anti histamines, sedatives or tranquilizers are useful too. They benumb the scratching sensation; they also tranquilize and reduce stress. Steroids may be directly introduced into inflamed area to reduce inflammation and itching.
When the findings show that the patients have an emotional cause to their Lichen Simplex Chronicus illness, anti depressant and tranquilizers may be needed.

The importance of counseling in the LSC management

The first thing to do is, understand that all itching rubbing and even touching of the rash must first stop. Since many people scratch in sleep, it is a good idea to keep the afflicted area well covered. Lichen simplex chronicus is treated like chronic eczema. Water and soap exacerbate the patches; applying emollients help keep the spot soft and moist without being wet or oozy, without aggravation. Topical steroids are needed to control the symptoms.
Strong steroids are required; a hydrocortisone cream may be used but only under medical advice and supervision. It is important to note that the patient ought not to buy self-prescribed ointments across the counter, but must have periodic monitoring and advise from the physician.

Complications of Lichen simplex chronicus

The Lichen Simplex Chronicus also leads to some complications. There is danger of secondary bacterial skin infection as bacterial and fungus infections could set in on the scratch spot, which has been made vulnerable and wet due to rubbing.
Permanent scars are left after cure, and also permanent change of color.