Thick, scaly, slightly elevated lesions with pronounced skin lines occur when the skin is repeatedly rubbed.
Thick, scaly, slightly elevated lesions with pronounced skin lines occur when the skin is repeatedly rubbed.
This image displays thickening of the skin typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays thickening of the skin typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
Chronic rubbing leads to thick, scaly skin lesions, as displayed here.
Chronic rubbing leads to thick, scaly skin lesions, as displayed here.
This image displays very thick skin from being chronically rubbed.
This image displays very thick skin from being chronically rubbed.
This image displays thick areas of skin on the forearms typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays thick areas of skin on the forearms typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
As displayed in this image, chronic rubbing and scratching can lead to darkening of the skin as well as skin thickening.
As displayed in this image, chronic rubbing and scratching can lead to darkening of the skin as well as skin thickening.
This image displays an early, mild lesion of lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays an early, mild lesion of lichen simplex chronicus.
In lichen simplex chronicus, the skin lines or markings are more pronounced than in normal skin.
In lichen simplex chronicus, the skin lines or markings are more pronounced than in normal skin.
As displayed in this image, the top of the hand is a typical location for lichen simplex chronicus.
As displayed in this image, the top of the hand is a typical location for lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays scaly skin due to lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays scaly skin due to lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays a thickened, cobblestone-like area of lichen simplex, due to repeated rubbing of the area.
This image displays a thickened, cobblestone-like area of lichen simplex, due to repeated rubbing of the area.
Chronic rubbing or scratching of the same area leads to lichen simplex chronicus, with thickened, rough, and sometimes red, broken skin areas.
Chronic rubbing or scratching of the same area leads to lichen simplex chronicus, with thickened, rough, and sometimes red, broken skin areas.

Graphic content

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Chronic rubbing in the genital region due to severe itch has led to these bumps, typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
Chronic rubbing in the genital region due to severe itch has led to these bumps, typical of lichen simplex chronicus.

Graphic content

Please click to view.

Constant rubbing leads to thick, slightly elevated lesions (lichenification). Scratch marks can be seen from the constant rubbing from the fingernails.
Constant rubbing leads to thick, slightly elevated lesions (lichenification). Scratch marks can be seen from the constant rubbing from the fingernails.

Images of Lichen Simplex Chronicus (14)

Thick, scaly, slightly elevated lesions with pronounced skin lines occur when the skin is repeatedly rubbed.
This image displays thickening of the skin typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
Chronic rubbing leads to thick, scaly skin lesions, as displayed here.
This image displays very thick skin from being chronically rubbed.
This image displays thick areas of skin on the forearms typical of lichen simplex chronicus.
As displayed in this image, chronic rubbing and scratching can lead to darkening of the skin as well as skin thickening.
This image displays an early, mild lesion of lichen simplex chronicus.
In lichen simplex chronicus, the skin lines or markings are more pronounced than in normal skin.
As displayed in this image, the top of the hand is a typical location for lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays scaly skin due to lichen simplex chronicus.
This image displays a thickened, cobblestone-like area of lichen simplex, due to repeated rubbing of the area.
Chronic rubbing or scratching of the same area leads to lichen simplex chronicus, with thickened, rough, and sometimes red, broken skin areas.

Graphic content

Chronic rubbing in the genital region due to severe itch has led to these bumps, typical of lichen simplex chronicus.

Graphic content

Constant rubbing leads to thick, slightly elevated lesions (lichenification). Scratch marks can be seen from the constant rubbing from the fingernails.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Lichen simplex chronicus is an itchy skin condition causing thickened skin at the areas that have been injured by repeated scratching and rubbing. Lichen simplex chronicus is not a primary disease but rather the skin’s response to chronic physical injury / trauma. This gradual thickening of skin is called lichenification.

Lichen simplex chronicus begins as itchy skin. The itching leads to scratching and rubbing, which causes thickening of skin. The thickened skin is itchy, which causes more scratching and, thus, more skin thickening. This scratch-itch cycle continues if not treated.

Who's At Risk?

Lichen simplex chronicus can occur in people of any age, race / ethnicity, or sex. However, it is more common in women and appears more frequently in middle-aged and older adults.

Conditions that can lead to a scratch-itch cycle that can cause lichen simplex chronicus include:

  • Insect bites.
  • Scars.
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
  • Dry skin (xerosis).
  • Poor circulation in legs (venous insufficiency).
  • Anxiety and stress.

Signs & Symptoms

Although it can occur anywhere on the body that the person can reach, lichen simplex chronicus is most commonly seen on the:

  • Scalp.
  • Sides and back of the neck.
  • Genitals (vulva, scrotum, perineum).
  • Knees, lower legs, shins, and ankles.

Each plaque (a slightly raised area of skin larger than a thumbnail) of lichen simplex chronicus appears as leathery, thickened skin in which the normal skin lines are exaggerated. The thickened skin is darker than surrounding skin (hyperpigmented). In lighter skin colors, the lesions are often pink, red, or purple, and in darker skin colors, they are often brown, purple, or grayish. The hyperpigmentation is especially apparent in darker skin colors.

Individuals with lichen simplex chronicus report periodic itching that is most intense at night or any time they are not active.

Self-Care Guidelines

  • The primary treatment is to stop scratching. However, this can be very difficult once a scratch-itch cycle has started. Areas of lichen simplex chronicus may need to be covered at night, as many people scratch in their sleep.
  • Use moisturizers to help relieve itchy skin. When choosing a moisturizer, look for oil-based creams and ointments (eg, CeraVe Healing Ointment, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream), which work better than water-based lotions. Apply moisturizers just after bathing, while the skin is still moist.
  • Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (eg, Cortizone-10) or take an antihistamine (eg, cetirizine [Zyrtec] or diphenhydramine [Benadryl]) to decrease the itch. If the itching is limited to the groin area, you may have a fungal infection (ie, tinea cruris, or jock itch) rather than lichen simplex chronicus; do not apply hydrocortisone to the groin area unless recommended to do so by a medical professional.
  • If there are breaks or cracks in the skin, apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection (eg, Neosporin, Polysporin).

Treatments

The medical professional will look for an underlying cause of the itch and will advise on how to break the scratch-itch cycle. In addition to the above self-care measures, your medical professional may recommend one or more of the following treatments to reduce itching and scratching:

  • Prescription corticosteroid (cortisone) creams or ointments
  • Prescription oral antihistamines, especially for use at bedtime
  • Injection of corticosteroid solution directly into the lichen simplex chronicus lesions
  • Ultraviolet light therapy if the lichen simplex chronicus is widespread
  • Behavioral therapy, sedatives, or antidepressants for people with lichen simplex chronicus strongly related to psychological stress
  • Oral doxepin
  • Topical or oral antibiotics if infection is present

Visit Urgency

See your medical professional if the itching does not improve with self-care measures, if you are developing more lesions, or if you develop symptoms of infection such as pain, redness, drainage of pus, or fever.

References

Bolognia J, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.

James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA. Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019.

Kang S, Amagai M, Bruckner AL, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.

Last modified on October 6th, 2023 at 11:16 am

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