How effective is steroid injection for lichen simplex chronicus?

Lichen simplex chronicus is skin that becomes thick, leathery, and darker or lighter after repeated rubbing or scratching. The itch can drive more scratching, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. An intralesional steroid delivers anti-inflammatory medicine into a selected thick plaque, which may make the area less itchy and gradually less firm. It does not remove the trigger by itself, so improvement can fade if friction, eczema, allergy, nerve irritation, or a scratching habit continues.

The clinician should look for the reason the patch itches and confirm that it is not fungal infection, psoriasis, or another condition. Discuss topical treatment, moisturising, cooling measures, covering the area at night, and ways to reduce rubbing. Tell the clinician about skin infection, previous steroid reactions, medicines, and conditions that affect healing. Keep the site clean after treatment and follow the specific aftercare advice; do not inject or apply strong medicines to the patch yourself.

Contact the clinic if the treated skin becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen, open, or draining. Fever or rapidly spreading redness warrants prompt assessment. Seek review if the itch remains intense, the patch enlarges, or new areas appear, because an untreated trigger or a different diagnosis may be maintaining the cycle.

Ask what is driving the itch, whether injection is suitable for the patch’s thickness and location, and how you will protect the skin from scratching. Discuss expected timing of softening, possible thinning or colour change, other treatments, and the follow-up plan.