4 Things You Need to Know About Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory skin disorder. This condition is chronic and is characterized by periods of relapses and recurrences, which can be very distressing for sufferers. Here are four things you need to know about lichen sclerosus.
What are the signs of lichen sclerosus?
Lichen sclerosus is characterized by flat, white papules (pimple-like lumps) and white plaques (raised lesions with flat tops) on the skin. Generally, these papules and plaques are asymptomatic, but they can be itchy in some cases.
The condition usually affects the skin of the genital area. When lichen sclerosus appears outside of the genital area, it tends to develop on the neck, shoulders, or trunk. In some cases, it can form on the palms, soles, or face.
What causes lichen sclerosus?
The exact cause of this condition still isn't known. However, it tends to co-occur with autoimmune diseases, so researchers suspect that lichen sclerosus may have an autoimmune cause. It also tends to run in families, which suggests that there is a genetic predisposition. More research is needed to confirm that these factors are causes of lichen sclerosus.
While the cause of this condition is still a mystery, it's been determined that it's not infectious. Researchers haven't been able to consistently link any pathogen to this condition, so you can reassure your friends and family that they won't catch it from you.
Is this condition serious?
The severity of lichen sclerosus varies based on the part of your body that is affected. When the condition develops on non-genital areas, it's just a cosmetic problem, and won't lead to any further problems. If the condition develops on the skin of the genitals, it can be much more serious.
For men, lichen sclerosus of the genitals can lead to problems like urinary obstruction, painful erections, and in rare cases, even skin cancer. Women with lichen sclerosus of the genitals may also suffer from urinary obstruction and skin cancer, as well as other problems like chronic ulceration, secondary infections, and painful intercourse.
How is lichen sclerosus treated?
In rare cases, lichen sclerosus can get better by itself, so if it's not bothering you too much, your dermatologist may recommend waiting to see what happens before starting medical treatments. If the condition is very bothersome or if it doesn't go away by itself, many different treatments can be used. These treatments can't cure lichen sclerosus as it is a chronic condition, but they can help keep the condition under control.
A common treatment for lichen sclerosus is corticosteroid cream. This cream will typically be used everyday until the condition goes away, which may take several weeks, and then twice a week afterwards to keep the condition from coming back.
Other treatments are available if corticosteroids don't work for you or if you're concerned about the long-term effects of them, like thinning skin. Your dermatologist may prescribe medications like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus, which are immunosuppressants.
Ultraviolet therapy can also be used to treat the condition, though only on non-genital areas. For this treatment, you'll stand in a cabinet with fluorescent lights, and your dermatologist will expose you to a controlled level of short wave ultraviolet radiation. The goal of the treatment is to make your skin slightly pink, but not painfully burnt. This treatment makes use of a well-known property of sun exposure: immunosuppression.
If you think you have lichen sclerosus, see your dermatologist right away. This condition is chronic, but with your dermatologist's help, it can be managed and its effect on your life can be minimized. For more information about your options, consult local resources like Dermatology Associates.