I have skin condition persisting for 15 years. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 32-year-old male. I have this skin condition right above my left ankle and its been there for almost 15 years. I have tried to get it treated a few times but, it just did not go away. Sometimes, it is itchy but at others it is fine. The last time I saw a dermatologist, she prescribed an ointment with Betamethasone and Salicylic acid, and also a moisturizing gel. But, it is still there. And, I think this is my last hope. Please check the image I uploaded.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and viewed the images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I can see dry, raised, hyperpigmented, scaly lesions. This is lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) and is usually itchy. The ointment with Betamethasone and Salicylic acid is quite alright and should improve the LSC on the leg but, a better and more efficient treatment choice would be an intralesional injection of a depot steroid preparation into this LSC skin lesion, for example, Triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/ml injection. I suggest you visit a dermatologist in person for the needful.

Regards.