{"id":1367,"date":"2023-01-07T17:29:33","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T17:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/?p=1367"},"modified":"2023-01-07T17:29:33","modified_gmt":"2023-01-07T17:29:33","slug":"lichen-simplex-chronicus-causes-treatment-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/lichen-simplex-chronicus-causes-treatment-and-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Lichen simplex chronicus: Causes, Treatment and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lichen simplex chronicus is a skin condition in which leathery skin can appear on the neck, arms, and around the genitals and, without proper care, can lead to long-term skin inflammation caused by scratching. However, with adequate treatment that includes topical steroids, ointments, or in some cases, phototherapy or cryosurgery, this itchy, thick layer of skin will go away. With that being said, let\u2019s dig a bit deeper into what causes LSC and how we can properly get rid of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Lichen simplex chronicus?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lichen simplex chronicus is an irritation of an accessible skin area caused by chronic scratching. It is an inflammation that makes you rub and scratch the itchy area, causing it to change in texture, swell and become darker, making it stand out from your usual tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the area becomes more inflamed, it can lead to further scratching and irritation, throwing you into an annoying \u201citching-and-scratching\u201d cycle that can only worsen the problem long-term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most frequently, this condition is diagnosed among adult women between the ages of 30-50 and appears around the vulva. Still, it is essential to know that vulvar lichen simplex chronicus cannot be transmitted to another person because it is not caused by bacteria or fungi and therefore is not considered a sexually transmitted disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vaginal<\/p>\n

What causes Lichen simplex chronicus?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Although it is hard to identify a single culprit behind the cause of lichen simplex chronicus, current research indicates that the causes of this scaly skin condition come from both emotional and environmental factors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies suggest that psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder can physically manifest as itching on the parts of our body to distract us from our thoughts, which we often scratch without much notice or when we are asleep. Many external factors and contact irritants such as dry air, heat, sweat, detergents, and other scented products can also cause this itchy, leathery skin to form on certain parts of our<\/span> body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Products and things that can irritate the skin and cause it to itch include:<\/span><\/p>\n