Lichen sclerosus is a long-term, chronic skin condition. Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory condition that results in the development of thin, patchy white plaques of skin. Lichen sclerosus is also called LS or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus.
Lichen sclerosus can occur anywhere on the skin but most frequently affects the skin of the vulva, the anus, and the foreskin of the penis. Lichen sclerosus is not contagious and is not a sexually transmitted disease.
Typical symptoms include itching and pain of the affected area. In some cases there may be no symptoms. Complications of lichen sclerosus can include progressive damage and scarring of the affected skin area, sexual difficulties, and problems with urinating. There also is an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma in areas of skin affected by lichen sclerosus. For more details about additional symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of lichen sclerosus.
The cause of lichen sclerosus is unknown. Lichen sclerosus occurs most often in post menopausal women. It also occurs far more often in uncircumcised men than in circumcised men. Less commonly, it can happen in children as well.
Making a diagnosis of lichen sclerosus begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and performing physical examination that focuses on the area of skin that is affected. A biopsy may be performed to examine a sample of the affected skin under a microscope.
If complications such as difficulty urinating (dysuria) and urinary retention occur, imaging studies of the urinary tract may be performed. When ulcerative lesions are present, a biopsy may also be performed on the lesion to test for the possible development of squamous cell carcinoma.
It is possible that a diagnosis of lichen sclerosus can be missed or delayed because symptoms may be attributed to a variety of rashes or skin conditions with similar symptoms, such as thrush, chronic cutaneous lupus or eczema. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of lichen sclerosus.
Treatment plans for lichen sclerosus vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. Mild cases of lichen sclerosus that do not involve the genital area may need no treatment and may get better and resolve on their own. The treatment for more severe lichen sclerosus involves a multifaceted approach that generally includes medications, regular medical follow-up care, and surgery for certain men. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of lichen sclerosus. ...more »
Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus: A chronic skin disease characterized by shiny, white atrophic skin patches which tend to occur on the neck, genital areas, around the anus, under the breasts and in body folds. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus is available below.
The types and severity of symptoms of lichen sclerosus vary between individuals. Some people who have lichen sclerosus on areas other than the genital area may have no symptoms.
Lichen sclerosus generally begins as white papules or spots that turn into blotchy, wrinkled plaques. Areas most often affect include the skin of the vulva, the anus, and the foreskin of the penis. Lichen sclerosus ...more symptoms »
The goal of treatment of lichen sclerosus is to relieve the discomfort of the plaques, lesions and blister of the affected skin and to minimize complications. Complications include progressive scarring of the affected skin, dysuria, urinary retention and painful intercourse.
Treatment for uncircumcised men with lichen sclerosus includes circumcision, the removal of the foreskin of the ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of lichen sclerosus may be delayed or missed because some symptoms can be similar to symptom of other conditions. These include thrush, chronic cutaneous lupus, sexual abuse, lichen planus, squamous cell carcinoma, vitiligo, and genital ulcerative disease. ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 11 symptoms of Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
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Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of
Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This means that Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, or a subtype of Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus,
affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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