I WISH to present a simple technic for recognizing and handling the majority of the emotional problems associated with localized neurodermatitis. Most of the methods presented heretofore are too time consuming for routine use, and many dermatologists do not have access to a qualified psychiatrist. Furthermore, it is difficult to persuade patients to visit a psychiatrist. One is dealing with relatively normal people, and only a few have severe compulsions or other neuroses necessitating intensive psychiatric care. Localized neurodermatitis is an external manifestation of chronic emotional tension and is characterized by one or more chronic, lichenified plaques located on areas which may be conveniently reached. The appearance of the plaque varies somewhat with the method used in scratching. Gentle rubbing with the dorsa of the finger nails produces a lightly hyperpigmented, ill defined patch; the interscapular region is a favorite site for this type of lesion. Ordinary rubbing and scratching