Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Aka: Lichen Simplex Chronicus, Lichen Simplex, Circumscribed Neurodermatitis, Lichen Simplex Nuchae, Scalp Picker's Nodule, Vulvar Lichen Simplex Chronicus, Red Scrotum Syndrome

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II. Pathophysiology

  1. Lichenified skin reaction to chronic scratching (may occur while asleep)
  2. Due to localized Atopic Dermatitis in 65-75% of cases

III. Causes

  1. Pruritic Conditions
    1. Atopic Dermatitis (most common)
    2. Candidiasis, Tinea Corporis or Tinea Cruris
    3. Psoriasis
    4. Scabies
    5. Skin Cancers
  2. Exacerbating factors
    1. Heat or excessive sweating
    2. Irritation from overlying clothing
    3. Topical cleansers, lotions or other products

IV. Symptoms

  1. Severe Pruritus that interferes with sleep, and results in significant scratching (cycle of worsening)

V. Signs

  1. Characterized
    1. Red Papules coalesce to form lichenified thick, scaly localized Plaque
    2. Hypopigmentation or Hyperpigmentation may occur
    3. Excoriations from scratching
  2. Distribution
    1. Lateral calf (most common)
    2. Vulva (see Vulvar Pruritus)
    3. Scrotum (Red Scrotum Syndrome)
    4. Perianal area
    5. Wrists and ankles
    6. Upper Eyelids
    7. Posterior Neck (Lichen Simplex Nuchae from stress induced scratching)
    8. Ear canal
    9. Extensor elbow
    10. Behind ear
    11. Scalp Nodules (least common, Scalp Picker's Nodules)

VI. Associated Conditions

  1. Allergic Conditions (atopy, allergy, Asthma, Eczema, Allergic Rhinitis)

VII. Differential Diagnosis

  1. See Pruritus Causes

VIII. Complications

  1. Impetigo or Cellulitis
    1. Typically dry Plaques become moist with scale, crusts and Pustules when infected

IX. Management

  1. Treat underlying cause of Pruritus
    1. See Dry Skin Management (e.g. Eczema)
    2. Consider infections (e.g. Candidiasis)
    3. Consider other pruritic skin conditions
      1. See Pruritus Causes (as well as list above)
      2. Lichen Sclerosus
      3. Lichen Planus
  2. Treat superinfected areas (Impetigo or Cellulitis)
  3. Break the itch-scratch cycle
    1. See Pruritus Management
  4. Reduce lichenification
    1. Salicylic Acid
  5. Corticosteroids for specific locations
    1. Vulva
      1. Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment twice daily until active dermatitis resolves
      2. Advance to Clobetasol 0.05% daily if refractory after 2-3 weeks
      3. Consider oral Corticosteroids if still refractory after 2-3 weeks
    2. Intertriginous areas (perianal area or behind ear)
      1. Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment twice daily until active dermatitis resolves
    3. Scalp
      1. Fluocinonide gel applied twice daily until active lesions resolve
      2. Inject intralesional Corticosteroid (Kenalog 10 mg/ml) for scalp Nodules
      3. Consider Prednisone 20 mg twice daily for 2 weeks if severe inflammation

X. References

  1. Lotti (2008) Dermatol Ther 21:42-6 [PubMed]
  2. Ringel (2020) Am Fam Physician 102(9):550-7 [PubMed]
  3. Virgili (2001) J Reprod Med 46:343-6 [PubMed]

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Related Studies

Ontology: Lichen Simplex Chronicus (C0149922)

Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
MSH D009450
ICD10 L28.0
SnomedCT 201021006, 156378002, 201006000, 53891004, 123704008
English Neurodermatitis, Circumscribed, Neurodermatitis, Localized, Circumscribed Neurodermatitides, Circumscribed Neurodermatitis, Localized Neurodermatitides, Localized Neurodermatitis, Neurodermatitides, Circumscribed, Neurodermatitides, Localized, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen simplex chronicus (diagnosis), lichen simplex, chronicus lichen simplex, neurodermatitis circumscripta, lichen simplex chronic, chronicus lichens simplex, lichens simplex, Lichen simplex (disorder), Lichen simplex chronicus, Local neurodermatitis, Neurodermatitis circumscripta, Circumscribed neurodermatitis, LSC - Lichen simplex chronicus, Lichen simplex, Lichenified eczema, Lichen simplex chronicus (disorder), Lichenified eczema (disorder), Lichenified eczematous dermatitis, eczema; lichenified, lichen; simplex, lichenified; eczema, simplex; lichen, Lichen Simplex Chronicus, Neurodermatitis, local
Dutch lichen simplex, lichen simplex chronicus, eczeem; gelichenificeerd, gelichenificeerd; eczeem, lichen; simplex, simplex; lichen, Lichen simplex chronicus [Vidal], Lichen simplex chronicus, Neurodermatitis, circumscripte, Neurodermatitis, gelokaliseerde
French Lichen simple, Lichen simplex chronique, Lichen Simplex Chronicus, Névrodermite circonscrite
German Lichen simplex, Lichen simplex chronicus, Lichen simplex chronicus [Vidal], Neurodermatitis, lokalisierte, Neurodermitis circumscripta
Italian Lichen simplex, Neurodermatite localizzata, Lichen simplex cronico
Portuguese Líquen simples crónico, Líquen simples, Líquen Simples Crônico, Neurodermatite Circunscrita, Neurodermatite Localizada
Spanish Liquen simple crónico, Liquen simple, Liquen Simple Crónico, dermatitis eccematosa liquenificada, eccema liquenificado (trastorno), eccema liquenificado, eczema liquenificado, liquen simple crónico (trastorno), liquen simple crónico, neurodermatitis circunscripta, neurodermatitis local, Neurodermatitis Circunscrita, Neurodermatitis Localizada
Japanese 慢性単純性苔癬, 単純性苔癬, ﾀﾝｼﾞｭﾝｾｲﾀｲｾﾝ, ﾏﾝｾｲﾀﾝｼﾞｭﾝｾｲﾀｲｾﾝ
Czech Lichen simplex chronicus, Lichen simplex, neurodermatitida lokalizovaná, lichen simplex chronicus
Korean 만성 단순태선
Hungarian Lichen simplex, Lichen simplex chronicus
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Hyperplastic Skin Disorders

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