title: The effect of topically applied aspirin on localized circumscribed neurodermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lichen simplex chronicus is a troublesome intractable itchy dermatosis, which may persist despite intensive topical treatments. Recently it has been demonstrated that topical aspirin solution with dichloromethane has a significant antipruritic effect in an experimentally induced itch.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this double-blind, crossover placebo trial was to evaluate the efficacy of this solution in the treatment of lichen simplex chronicus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients with lichen simplex chronicus of at least 3 months' duration that did not respond to topical corticosteroids were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive aspirin/dichloromethane solution in treatment period 1 for 2 weeks followed by placebo in treatment period 2 or placebo followed by aspirin in period 2 with a crossover design after a 2-week washout. The patients rated the pruritus intensity before and during therapy with a visual analog scale; a blinded investigator performed photographic assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant therapeutic response was achieved in 11 (46%) of the patients who completed the study compared with 3 patients (12%) receiving placebo. Overall, aspirin-treated patients experienced an average decrease in the visual analog scale of 2.18 +/- 2.86 versus 0.69 +/- 2.31 of those receiving placebo. The difference between the 2 treatments for week 2 was significant (P =.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that topical aspirin/dichloromethane might be a practical treatment for lichen simplex chronicus.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Center, National Medical Research Council, Ministry of Health, Singapore.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yosipovitch
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sugeng
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ngim
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goh
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008752:Methylene Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012996:Solutions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D008752:Methylene Chloride; D001241:Aspirin