Lichen simplex Health Dictionary

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Lichen Simplex: From 1 Different Sources

Patches of thickened, itchy, sometimes discoloured skin, due to repeated scratching. Typical sites are the neck, wrist, elbow area, and ankles. Lichen simplex is most common in women and is often stress-related. Treatment is with oral antihistamine drugs and creams containing corticosteroid drugs, and may also involve addressing any underlying stress or anxiety.
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Herpes Simplex

An acute infectious disease, characterised by the development of groups of super?cial vesicles, or blebs, in the skin and mucous membrane. It is due to either simplex type 1 or 2 virus, and infection can occur at any time from birth onwards; however the usual time for primary infection with type 1 is between the second and 15th year. Once an individual is infected, the virus persists in the body for the rest of their life. It is one of the causes of scrum-pox. Type 2 causes HERPES GENITALIS.

Symptoms Symptoms vary with the age of infection. In young infants, herpes simplex may cause a generalised infection which is sometimes fatal. In young children the infection is usually in the mouth, and this may be associated with enlargement of the glands in the neck, general irritability and fever. The condition usually settles in 7–10 days. In adults the vesicles may occur anywhere in the skin or mucous membranes: the more common sites are the lips, mouth and face, where they are known as cold sores. The vesicles may also appear on the genitalia (herpes genitalis) or in the conjunctiva or cornea of the EYE, and the brain may be infected, causing ENCEPHALITIS or MENINGITIS. The ?rst sign is the appearance of small painful swellings; these quickly develop into vesicles which contain clear ?uid and are surrounded by a reddened area of skin. Some people are particularly liable to recurrent attacks, and these often tend to be associated with some debilitating condition or infection, such as pneumonia.

Except in the case of herpes of the cornea, the eruption clears completely unless it becomes contaminated with some other organism. In the case of the cornea, there may be residual scarring, which may impair vision.

Treatment Aciclovir is e?ective both topically as cream or eye drops or orally. In severe systemic infections it can be given intravenously.... herpes simplex

Lichen Planus

An inflammatory skin eruption with small shiny pimples starting from the wrists and spreading towards the trunk. Associated with lesions on mucous surfaces – vulva, penis, mouth. Cause is unknown but sometimes related to tuberculosis or drug poisoning. Usually over front of wrists, trunk and shins.

Symptoms: Severe itching. Thickened skin with shiny red patches which later become brown and scaly. Distinguish from psoriasis. Nails ridged and split.

Alternatives. Relief from itching by use of antihistamines: Garlic, Goldenseal, Ephedra, Lobelia.

Teas. Nettles, Boneset, Chickweed, Heartsease, Yucca.

Decoctions. (1) Combine: equal parts: Burdock, Sarsaparilla, Passion flower. OR (2) Combine: equal parts: Echinacea, Blue Flag root, Sarsaparilla. Half an ounce (14g) to 1 pint (500ml) water gently simmered 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup thrice daily.

Cold infusion. One heaped teaspoon Barberry (Berberis Vul) to cup cold water. Steep overnight. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Powders, Liquid Extracts or Tinctures. Equal parts: Wild Yam, Blue Flag root, Fringe Tree bark. Powders: 500mg. Liquid Extracts: 30-60 drops in water. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons in water. Thrice daily before meals.

Mouth ulcers: Rinse mouth with Goldenseal and Myrrh drops, in water.

Topical. Ointment or pulp from any one: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Chickweed, Houseleek, Marshmallow. Vaginal lesion. Aloe Vera pulp or gel.

Diet. Avoid citrus fruits and milk.

Vitamins. A. B-complex, B12, C. E. F. PABA.

Minerals. Dolomite. Zinc. Cod Liver oil: one dessertspoon daily. ... lichen planus

Carcinoma Simplex

Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.... carcinoma simplex

Euphrasia Simplex

D. Don.

Synonym: E. officinalis Linn.

Family: Scrophulariaceae.

Habitat: The Temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to Sikkim, from 1,350 to 4,000 m.

English: Eyebright.

Action: Plant—astringent, antiallergic, bechic, anticatarrhal.

Key application: Externally as lotions, eye-baths, poultices, for eye complaints associated with inflammatory conditions, and as a preventive measure against mucus of the eyes, "glued" and inflammed eyes. (Traditional uses mentioned by German Comission E.)

Orally, Eyebright is used to treat allergies, common cold, bronchial conditions and sinusitis. Ophthalmic application is not recommended. Eye- bright has been used in a British herbal tobacco product, which was smoked for cold and chronic bronchial conditions.

Aerial parts showed presence of phenol, carboxylic acid, flavones and methyl flavone derivatives. Plant gave quercetin glucoside, diosmetin, kaem- pferol, caffeic and ferulic acids, stig- masterol and beta-sitosterol. Iridoid glycosides, including aucubin, are also present. Tannins include both condensed and hydrolysable gallic acid type.... euphrasia simplex

Herpes Simplex Virus

Causative virus of genital herpes and herpes labalis or cold sores.... herpes simplex virus

Lichen

Lichen, or licheni?cation, is a term used to describe a thickening of chronically in?amed skin to give a tree-bark-like appearance.

Lichen simplex (neurodermatitis) is a form of eczema (see DERMATITIS) perpetuated by constant rubbing of the affected skin. Typically, well-de?ned plaques occur on one or both sides of the nape of the neck, on the ulnar forearm near the elbow, or on the sides of the calves. It is often associated with emotional stress.

Lichen planus is a less common in?ammation of the skin characterised by small, shiny, ?at-topped violaceous papules which may coalesce to form large plaques. Itching can be intense. Typically seen on the ?exor aspects of the wrists, the lower back and on the legs below the knees, it may also affect the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips. The cause is unknown. While in some patients the disorder appears to be nervous or emotional in origin, it can be caused by certain drugs such as CHLOROQUINE. Severe cases may require oral CORTICOSTEROIDS to control the eruption.... lichen

Lichen Sclerosus Et Atrophicus

A chronic skin condition of the anogenital area. The skin is scarred and white, and the anatomy of areas such as the vaginal opening or the foreskin may become distorted. Treatment is with potent topical steroid drugs.... lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

Lichen Simplex Chronicus

(neurodermatitis) thickened eczematous skin that develops at the site of constant rubbing in susceptible individuals. Common sites are the nape of the neck in women and the lower legs or scrotum in men. Stress may be a relevant factor.... lichen simplex chronicus

Phyllanthus Simplex

Retz.

Synonym: P. virgatus J. R. et G. Forst.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India.

Ayurvedic: Bhumyaamalaki (var.).

Folk: Mothi-bhuiaamvali (Maharashtra).

Plant—antiseptic. Fresh leaves, bruised in butter milk, are used as a wash for itch. Fresh leaves, flowers and fruits with cumin seeds and sugar, are used in gonorrhoea. Root—applied to mammary abscesses. Fruits contain oxalic acid.... phyllanthus simplex

Zygophyllum Simplex

Linn.

Family: Zygophyllaceae.

Habitat: Arid and sandy tracts of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Folk: Alethi (Punjab), Lunio, Lunwaa (Rajasthan).

Action: Leaves and seeds—an infusion is applied to the eyes in ophthalmia and glucoma. Seeds— anthelmintic.

An acylated glycoside was isolated from aerial parts. Isorhamnetin, its 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O- rutinoside, sitosterol glucoside and quinovic acid-3 alpha-L-rhamnoside were present in the herb.

An infusion of the leaves acts as a skin cleanser. The plant contains free ascorbic acid. The leaves and fruits contain kaempferol; quercetin (0.10 mg/g dry weight) is present in fruits.... zygophyllum simplex

Lichen Sclerosus

a chronic skin disease affecting the anogenital area (and rarely other sites), especially the vulva in women and foreskin in men. It is characterized by sheets of thin ivory-white skin and may be caused by chronic irritation by urine. There is a risk of *squamous cell carcinoma. In women, the condition causes intense itching, and atrophy of the labia minora often occurs. Potent topical corticosteroids are helpful for women. In men, normal penile architecture is progressively lost and a constricting band around the foreskin may appear (causing sexual dysfunction and sometimes *paraphimosis) or sometimes narrowing of the urethral meatus may occur. This sometimes necessitates circumcision.... lichen sclerosus

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