Lichen Sclerosis is a painful non-contagious skin condition affecting vulva in women and penis in men. It can also occur in anus. Although the condition may affect anywhere in the body, it becomes more painful in external sex organs.

In women, Lichen Sclerosis is a part of vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain). According to some researchers Lichen Sclerosis may involve the risks of the development of vulval or penile cancer.

Lichen Sclerosis is also considered as a chronic inflammatory skin disease that may occur in men, women and even children. But the chances of its occurrence are more in women.

In women, the condition mostly affects the vulva (external part of sex organ) and the anal area. One in every 300 persons around the world is affected by this condition. The cases are more in women above 50 years of age.

Lichen Sclerosis was once thought to be a form of lichen planus. However, research shows that both the conditions are not same.

Lichen Sclerosis Symptoms

Symptoms may vary in accordance with the locations affected by the condition. Following are some signs and symptoms:

Lichen Sclerosis may result in swelling of the affected area.

The skin affected by the condition becomes thinner, weak and pale.

The condition leads to development of white patches of skin.

Women with Lichen Sclerosis may feel itching, pain or burning sensation at vulval area.

The condition causes splitting of the vulval skin resulting in stinging and pain.

Sexual intercourse becomes painful. In some cases it leads to prolonged sexual abstinence (enforced celibacy).

Scratching on the affected skin leads to formation of sores or lesions.

Lichen Sclerosis in anus makes bowel motion very painful through splitting in the skin around the anal opening and bleeding.

Untreated Lichen Sclerosis may lead to fusing of the skin besides resulting in atrophy and narrowing of the vagina.

Lichen Sclerosis in genital region of men leads to fusing or tightness in foreskin causing pain to retraction and making urination very difficult.

Who can get Lichen Sclerosis?

Though the condition may occur in young girls, boys, men and women of any age, it most commonly strikes women crossing menopause. Lichen Sclerosis has also been diagnosed in many men and boys.

Common misdiagnoses

Lichen Sclerosis is often mistaken for yeast or bacterial infection or herpes.

Symptoms of Lichen Sclerosis in kids are sometimes wrongly diagnosed as signs of sexual abuse.

Generally, a biopsy is conducted for microscopic examination of a sample of the affected skin so as diagnose the condition precisely and accurately.

The condition in women may run the risk of vulval cancer while in men it may lead to penile cancer.

Causes of Lichen Sclerosis

Though the medical community is yet to understand the perfect nature of lichen sclerosis and causative factors, it seems to be linked with other autoimmune conditions.

Lichen Sclerosis has also seemed to develop in those areas where the skin experienced injury or trauma.

There has been no proof of the association of Lichen Sclerosis with any other disease except for rarely skin cancer as mentioned above.

Exact cause of Lichen Sclerosis is not known yet, but overactive immune system is thought to be playing a crucial role.

Some people genetically tend to develop the disease. According to a study abnormal hormonal levels may also be playing a role in the development of Lichen Sclerosis.

Lichen Sclerosis Treatment

Topical steroid

Application of strong steroid ointment or cream (topical steroid) to the affected skin can help assuage pain and reduce inflammation. Symptomatic skin is usually treated with regular application of stronger steroids for two to three months as per prescription of a doctor.

After initial regular application for about three months, condition is observed and symptoms are kept away with only occasional applications. Topical steroid also helps ease the irritation after two weeks. However it usually takes about three months to improve skin's look.

It is possible to restore normal look of the skin at an early stage through timely diagnosis and treatment with a topical steroid. But if the condition drastically changed skin's appearance, topical steroid can be of little help to restore its normal look, though it help relieve symptoms of itch and soreness.

Some general measures

It is advisable to prefer an emollient (moisturizer) cream or ointment to soap for cleaning and washing the genital area. This can provide a soothing effect.

Avoid going for bubble baths and don't use scented soap, detergents and perfumes to the vulva as they may cause irritation besides worsening the symptoms.

Use lubricants during sexual intercourse if having sex becomes painful.

Other treatments

In few cases where it becomes difficult for topical steroids to produce desired effect, a dermatologist may advice some other treatment options for reducing inflammation and bringing much needed relief.

Vaginal dilator: Your doctor may advise a vaginal dilator if vaginal opening narrowed. A vaginal dilator is a cylindrical piece of plastic, designed for insertion into the vagina for gentle stretching of the vagina and vaginal opening. You can use it every day for sometime in accordance with the advice of your doctor.

Surgery : Surgery is rarely required for widening the vaginal opening in women having severe lichen sclerosis that narrowed the vaginal entrance. The foreskin in affected men or boys may be removed through surgery. This surgical removal is called circumcision.