Lichen haemorrhagicus is a term used to describe a skin condition characterized by small, bleeding, red or purple spots on the skin. The spelling of the word "lichen" is pronounced as "LAHY-kuhn" in IPA phonetic transcription, while "haemorrhagicus" is spelled as "hee-muh-RAJ-ik-uhs." The term is derived from the Latin language with lichen meaning "fungus" and haemorrhagicus referring to "bleeding." The condition is typically caused by skin inflammation, allergies or infections, and can be treated by identifying and eliminating the underlying factors.
Lichen haemorrhagicus is a medical term used to describe a rare dermatological condition characterized by the presence of small, dark red or purple spots or patches on the skin. The condition is primarily observed on the lower legs and feet, but it can also affect other areas of the body.
The term "lichen" refers to the appearance of the lesions, which resemble the crusty texture of lichen found in nature. "Haemorrhagicus" stems from the Latin word "haemorrhagic," meaning relating to bleeding or blood. Therefore, lichen haemorrhagicus signifies the presence of bleeding or blood-related changes within the skin lesions.
The cause of lichen haemorrhagicus remains unknown, although it is often associated with other underlying skin conditions, such as venous insufficiency, stasis dermatitis, or other vascular disorders. It is believed that the exacerbation of these conditions leads to the development of lichen haemorrhagicus.
Clinically, lichen haemorrhagicus typically presents as itchy, reddish-purple spots or patches that may be slightly raised or scaly. The lesions may bleed easily when scratched or traumatized. Proper diagnosis of lichen haemorrhagicus involves a thorough examination of the affected skin and may require a skin biopsy to confirm the condition.
The treatment of lichen haemorrhagicus focuses on addressing the underlying causes and relieving symptoms. This may involve lifestyle modifications, such as elevating the legs, wearing compression stockings, or using topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching. In some cases, other therapies like laser treatments or surgery may be necessary to manage the condition.
A papular eruption due to hemorrhage into the hair-follicles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "lichen haemorrhagicus" is derived from the Latin words "lichen" and "haemorrhagicus".
1. Lichen: The word "lichen" originates from the Greek word "leikhēn", which refers to a type of plant or moss that grows on rocks. This Greek term was adopted into Latin as "lichen", maintaining a similar meaning.
2. Haemorrhagicus: The term "haemorrhagicus" comes from the Latin word "haemorrhagicus", which means "hemorrhagic" in English. It is derived from the Greek word "haimorrhagikos", a combination of "haima" meaning "blood" and "rhegnumi" meaning "to break forth". This term is used to describe a condition characterized by bleeding or the exudation of blood.