Lichenification

Lichenification
Thick, leathery skin, usually the result of constant scratching and rubbing. With prolonged rubbing or scratching, the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) becomes hypertrophied (overgrown) and this results in thickening of the skin and exaggeration of the normal skin markings, giving the skin a leathery bark-like appearance. Lichenification is a common consequence of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and other pruritic (itchy) disorders. It may also arise on seemingly normal skin.
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Leathery induration and thickening of the skin with hyperkeratosis, caused by scratching, as in atopic or chronic contact dermatitis. [lichen + L. facio, to make]

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li·chen·i·fi·ca·tion lī-.ken-ə-fə-'kā-shən, .lī-kən- n the process by which skin becomes hardened and leathery or lichenoid usu. as a result of chronic irritation also a patch of skin so modified

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n.
thickening of the epidermis of the skin with exaggeration of the normal creases. The cause is abnormal scratching or rubbing of the skin.

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li·chen·i·fi·ca·tion (li-ken″ĭ-fĭ-kaґshən) hypertrophy of the epidermis, with thickening and toughening of the skin to give it a leathery appearance, and exaggeration of its normal markings; this is caused by prolonged rubbing or scratching and may be on seemingly normal skin or on skin that has a pruritic disorder.

Lichenification associated with atopic dermatitis.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • LICHÉNIFICATION — Lésion cutanée induite par le grattage, la lichénification est un épaississement plus ou moins marqué du tégument, avec, en surface, une exagération du quadrillage de la peau. D’une teinte rouge violacé ou marron, souvent recouverts de squames,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Lichenification — is the thickening of skin (or epidermis) with the accentuation of the normal lines of the skin, giving rise to an appearance resembling a tree bark. It is commonly seen in chronic eczema (or atopic dermatitis), where there is constant scratching… …   Wikipedia

  • Lichénification — La lichénification est l épaississement de la peau en plaque de coloration rose bistre puis brune et irrégulièrement quadrillée par de profonds sillons. Peut être secondaire à un grattage, à un prurit. Catégorie : Médecine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • lichenification — /luy ken euh fi kay sheuhn/, n. Med. 1. a leathery hardening of the skin, usually caused by chronic irritation. 2. a patch of skin so hardened. [1890 95; LICHEN + I + FICATION] * * * …   Universalium

  • lichenification — noun epidermal thickening characterized by visible and palpable thickening of the skin with accentuated skin markings …   Wiktionary

  • lichenification — n. thickening of the skin caused by repeated rubbing or scratching (Medicine) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • lichenification — li·chen·i·fi·ca·tion …   English syllables

  • lichenification — n. thickening of the epidermis of the skin with exaggeration of the normal creases. The cause is abnormal scratching or rubbing of the skin …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • lichenification — līˌkenəfə̇ˈkāshən ˌlīkən noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary lichen (I) + i + fication : the process by which skin becomes hardened and leathery or lichenoid usually as a result of chronic irritation; also : a patch of skin so… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Лихенификация (Lichenification) — утолщение эпидермиса кожи с образованием на ней большого количества складок. Причиной лихенификации является сильное расчесывание или растирание кожи.ЛИХЕНОИДНЫЙ (lichenoid) данный термин применяется для описания кожных заболеваний, течение… …   Медицинские термины

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