Odd rash around ankles

Hello. About two years ago, I developed an itchy rash around my left ankle. The skin was brown to rust-colored and small, weeping sores would occasionally appear. The rash would often appear to have red speckles, and the area affected felt dry and thickened. After about seven months, the rash completely disappeared, only to reappear around my *right* ankle. It's been there for over a year now. It itches occasionally, sometimes rather severely, but I refrain from scratching it, and it has not spread beyond this confined area. (It covers about two square inches on the right side of my ankle and about one square inch on the left side.)

I have no allergies that I'm aware of, and I have not come into contact with any poisonous plants in the past two years. I'm healthy, of normal weight, and I exercise six days a week. I do not smoke.  I'm not on any medications. I run for thirty minutes on the days that I exercise, and that involves wearing running shoes and cotton socks cut below the ankle. At work, I wear cotton socks and leather dress shoes. (I've even tried changing the brand of socks I wear, to no avail.) The rash has not appeared anywhere else on my body? Any ideas as to what it could be and how I can get rid of it? In addition to being itchy, it's also unattractive. Thanks in advance!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

My best guess would be that this is a form of eczema, sometimes called lichen simplex chronicus.  It can be treated with topical cortisone creams.  For speciifc diagnosis, you'll need to see a doctor in person.  Since you'll need treatment for this, that's what I think you ought to do.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff