Why do I have raised, itchy, dark lesions on my leg for the last three months?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have raised, itchy, dark lesion on my leg that I noticed about three months ago, and I do not know what it is. Sometimes it swells and hurts. The skin does not break but becomes very irritated. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. I have two differential diagnoses for this. The first condition is known as lichen simplex chronicus, which is characterized by severe itching and skin thickening along with pigmentation. Common sites are legs, nape, and genitals. The second possibility is discoid dermatitis, which has a circular disc shaped red to dark plaques with itching and sometimes oozing. Both the conditions fall under the ambit of eczema, which is a group of inflammatory skin conditions. So the treatment remains the same. I would suggest you keep using a moisturizer regularly along with a potent steroid for a short course. I would suggest the following medicines. Use Cream Tenovate (Clobetasol) for local application and Cetaphil moisturizing cream. Take Tablet Fexofenadine 180 mg once daily (use cream 1 and 2, mixing 1:1 at the time of application and apply twice a day). Follow-up after two weeks. Take care.