Itch in Lichen simplex chronicus is associated with localized small fibre neuropathy.

Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), is a common pruritic condition of unknown pathophysiology. The sensory innervation of skin consists of a dermal plexus formed by myelinated and unmyelinated fibres. The epidermis only contains unmyelinated fibres, which signal temperature, pain and/or itch (Ikoma et al. 2006). Intraepidermal fibres can be visualized using the marker PGP 9.5, an ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase, which is abundantly present in the nervous system (Lauria et al. 2010). Studies of conditions associated with chronic itch have reported increased or decreased intraepidermal nerve fibre density (prurigo nodularis (Johansson et al.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research