Differences Between Men and Women in Chronic Scratching: A Psychodermatologic Study in Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic scratching is common to many skin disorders. Being a female and presenting a high level of psychopathology are risk factors for chronic scratching. Yet, it is unclear why. Certain personality characteristics that are more prevalent in women are also known to influence emotional states (i.e. emotional tension).

Objective: The present study aims to explore whether these personality styles might help understand why gender and emotional distress are associated with scratching.

Material and methods: We compared the personality patterns of 103 patients (69.9% women) diagnosed with Lichen Simplex Chronicus, against a sample of healthy individuals.

Results: Significant differences were found in the personality styles of men and women with LSC. Women were more pessimistic, oriented to fulfil the needs of others, traditional, insecure, submissive, and reserved, with moderate (d=.43) to strong (d=.96) size effects ranges. Some of these differences, such as in traditionalism, dutifulness, other-orientation, and pessimism, were also observed when compared with healthy men and women, with small (d=.03) to moderate (d=.47) size effects ranges.

Conclusions: These psychological factors may help explain the mechanisms underlying gender differences in chronic scratching, at least in Lichen Simplex Chronicus. The findings might open new avenues for research and treatment.

Keywords: Dermatología psiquiátrica; Neurodermitis; Prurito; Pruritus; Psicodermatología; Psychiatric Dermatology; Psycho-dermatology.