* SYED SHAMIM AHMED, ** KISHWER SULTANA, *** FAREEDA ISLAM, **** S.M.MASOOD ALI

ABSTRACT

Background: Topical corticosteroids are used in different skin conditions.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of hydrocortisone in treatment of lichen simplex chronicus, which is ignored in our population.

Patients and methods: Forty male and forty female patients suffering from lichen simplex chronicus affecting different parts of the body as nape of the neck, arms, back of the legs and ankle were advised to apply hydrocortisone cream three times a day for four weeks. They were followed up weekly for four weeks. Pruritus and lichenification were scored at 4-grade scale i.e. none, slight, moderate and severe at base line and on each follow up visit.

Results: Significant improvement in pruritus was noticed in all groups except Group A2 the results were non significant. Regarding lichenification significant results were observed only in three group (A2, B1, B2) others remained non significant.

Conclusion: Assessment shows that hydrocortisone cream is effective antipruritic and has mostly nonsignificant effect on lichenification.

Keywords: Hydrocortisone cream, lichen simplex chronicus group of patients.

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

* Professor, Department of Dermatology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi.
** Professor, Department of Anatomy, Baqai Medical University, Karachi.
*** Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, KMDC & ASH, Karachi.
*** Demonstrator, Department of Pharmacology, KMDC & ASH, Karachi.