Lichen sclerosus is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects the skin of the genitals. It usually causes itching and white patches. It's most common in women who've been through menopause but men and children can be affected. There's currently no cure, but symptoms can normally be controlled with medication.
Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that causes itchy white patches, most commonly on the genitals. There's no cure, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms.
Lichen sclerosus isn't contagious and can't be spread through sexual contact.
The lesions caused by lichen sclerosus usually begin as small, pinkish or whitish bumps. Over time, they become patchy, wrinkly and white, often resembling tissue paper. These patches tend to be itchy and painful.
Sometimes, it's due to ill-fitting underwear or tight clothing. In other cases, walking, running, and exercising can cause friction on the inner thighs and vulva. Even sexual activity can lead to increased friction that ultimately causes hyperpigmentation.
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.
These self-care tips may help ease skin irritation: Apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor, others) to the affected area. Gently wash the affected area daily and pat dry. Use mild unscented soaps and avoid bathing too much.
Common mimics of lichen sclerosus include vitiligo, severe vulvovaginal atrophy, other lichenification disorders such as lichen planus and lichen simplex chronicus, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. For this reason, biopsy is recommended.
Without treatment, it can lead to scarring, making it difficult or painful to have sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement (poop). Untreated lichen sclerosus can also increase your chances of developing a type of skin cancer (penile cancer and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma).
In addition, patients with LSV also had a higher deficiency of vitamins D and B12, and some important micro- and macronutrients.
Bland moisturisers (for example, emulsifying ointment) help to soften and protect the skin. Your symptoms can be relieved by the use of steroid creams or ointments. It is usual to treat symptomatic skin with quite strong steroids regularly for two to three months.
Vaginal discharge is a clear, white or off-white fluid that comes out of your vagina. Your uterus, cervix and vagina produce vaginal discharge, which is mainly made up of cells and bacteria. It helps clean and lubricate your vagina, and helps fight off bad bacteria and infection.
Conclusion Topical ultrapotent steroid is an effective treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus, giving relief of symptoms in most and completely reversing the skin changes in approximately one fifth of patients.
Lichen sclerosus is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects the skin of the genitals. It usually causes itching and white patches. It's most common in women who've been through menopause but men and children can be affected. There's currently no cure, but symptoms can normally be controlled with medication.
Friction or damage to the skin triggers lichen sclerosus and make it worse. This reaction is called a 'Koebner response'.
Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. While harmless, these white spots indicate that you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Lichen Sclerosus can commonly be triggered by hormonal changes, trauma, and in rare cases it can be passed down genetically.
Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have: Skin discoloration that causes significant concern. Persistent, unexplained darkening or lightening of the skin. Any skin sore or lesion that changes shape, size, or color may be a sign of skin cancer.
Using a Glycolic Gel Peel
The glycolic gel peel works by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, restoring a natural glow and revealing the fresh, new skin underneath. This process helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration in the bikini area.
To perform Kegel exercises, you need first to locate your pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles that you use to stop the flow of urine midstream. Once you have located the muscles, contract them for five seconds, then relax for five seconds. Repeat this ten times in a row, then rest for a minute.
Lichen sclerosus appears as white areas of skin that often are shiny or wrinkled. Sometimes these white areas have red or pink changes. In patients with a darker skin tone, LS may initially look like vitiligo (a condition in which the skin loses its pigment, causing white patches).