Lichen Sclerosus (cont.)
How is it treated?
If you have patches on the arms or upper body, they usually don't need
treatment. The patches go away over time.
Lichen sclerosus of the genital skin should be treated. Even if it isn't
painful or itchy, the patches can scar. This can cause problems with urination
or sex. There is also a very small chance that skin cancer may develop in the
patches.
Surgery is normally a good option for men. Circumcision (removing the
foreskin on the penis) is the most widely used therapy for men with lichen
sclerosus. The disease usually does not come back. Surgery is normally not a
good option for women. When the lichen sclerosus patches are removed from the
genitals of women and girls, they usually come back.
Treatment also includes using very strong cortisone cream or ointment on the
skin. You put these creams on the patches every day for several weeks. This
stops the itching. Then you use the cream or ointment two times a week for a
long time to keep the disease from coming back. Treatment does not fix the
scarring that may have already occurred.
You need regular followup by a doctor because using these creams and
ointments for a long time can cause:
Sometimes, you don't get better when using the cortisone creams. Some things
that can keep symptoms from clearing up are:
- Low estrogen levels
- Infection
- Allergy to the medication.
When creams and
ointments don't work, your doctor may suggest:
If you need medicine, ask your doctor:
- How does the medicine work?
- What are its side effects?
- Why is it the best
treatment for my lichen sclerosus?
If a young girl gets lichen sclerosis, she may not require lifelong
treatment. Lichen sclerosus sometimes goes away at puberty. Scarring and changes
in skin color may remain.
Next: Can people with lichen sclerosus have sex? »
- tacrolimus ointment, Protopic -
- Skin Cancer - Learn the types of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma), their causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention techniques. Get the facts about sun exposure and sunscreen.
- Menopause - Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal itching, dryness, and pain, urinary symptoms, weight gain, acne, skin texture changes, and mood changes.
Latest Medical News
Skin RSS