tommyk
04-09-2006, 06:26 PM
Hy 2119
A 21-year-old woman named Keira Knightly presents to a clinician because of an itchy a patch of skin near her knee. 6 months previously, she had had several mosquito bites in the relatively small area. The mosquito bites eventually resolved, but the area had continued to be itchy, and she had continued to scratch it periodically. The well-defined 6-cm diameter patch of skin is now dry scaling, hyperpigmented, and thickened. A ring of discrete brownish papules can be seen at the periphery of the lesion. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Pick one:
Lichen simplex chronicus
Psoriasis
Seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis
Acne
This is lichen simplex chronicus, also known as localized scratch dermatitis and neurodermatitis. What basically happens is that the patient gets into a vicious cycle of itching causing scratching, which causes more itching. The initiating cause may or may not be known or remembered, but the process persists long after the inciting process has resolved. Stress and tension may exacerbate the process. The appearance described in the question stem is typical. Treatment involves breaking up the itch-scratch cycle, which may be difficult. Topical steroids may be helpful, as may covering the area with a dressing to make scratching more difficult. Psoriasis causes salmon-colored plaques with silvery scale. Seborrheic dermatitis causes dandruff and cradle cap. Stasis dermatitis is seen at the ankles and is related to varicose veins. See! You guys are getting it! Hooray!
A 21-year-old woman named Keira Knightly presents to a clinician because of an itchy a patch of skin near her knee. 6 months previously, she had had several mosquito bites in the relatively small area. The mosquito bites eventually resolved, but the area had continued to be itchy, and she had continued to scratch it periodically. The well-defined 6-cm diameter patch of skin is now dry scaling, hyperpigmented, and thickened. A ring of discrete brownish papules can be seen at the periphery of the lesion. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Pick one:
Lichen simplex chronicus
Psoriasis
Seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis
Acne
This is lichen simplex chronicus, also known as localized scratch dermatitis and neurodermatitis. What basically happens is that the patient gets into a vicious cycle of itching causing scratching, which causes more itching. The initiating cause may or may not be known or remembered, but the process persists long after the inciting process has resolved. Stress and tension may exacerbate the process. The appearance described in the question stem is typical. Treatment involves breaking up the itch-scratch cycle, which may be difficult. Topical steroids may be helpful, as may covering the area with a dressing to make scratching more difficult. Psoriasis causes salmon-colored plaques with silvery scale. Seborrheic dermatitis causes dandruff and cradle cap. Stasis dermatitis is seen at the ankles and is related to varicose veins. See! You guys are getting it! Hooray!