Lichen Simplex

Lichen simplex includes as its sub-varieties, L. circum-scriptus, L. agrius, and L. pilaris.

Lichen simplex is often seen in summer, sometimes recurring in the same person several times; the papules are flesh-colored, red, smallish, sometimes very minute, and more or less pointed, lasting a week or so, and followed up by the development of others; the papules are usually seen on the back of the hand, the outer aspect of the fore­arm, the neck, and the thighs. They are accompanied by a good deal of itching. The papules disappear by resorption, and never become vesicles or pustules. This lichen may last for weeks and months. The disappearance of the papules gives rise to a little desquamation. The skin generally is dry and thickened. The disease is rare. L. circum-scrlptus is the name given to the disease when the papules are collected together into little round or roundish elevated patches; the border of the diseased patches in such cases is well defined and papular, the surface elevated, rough and dry to the feel; its area increases by circumferential enlargement, and its centre presently clears somewhat; there are generally several circles, and their most usual situation is the back of the hand or calf may be affected, or the inside of the thigh. The patches after a while get more or less scaly, or inflamed and cracked, simulating eczema, but never actually discharging; or in consequence of the center healing, assume a circinate form; but the history, absence of moisture, and the dry and roughened base are distinctive.