Autoimmune Diseases Skin

Lichen Sclerosus or Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus

Overview: What is Lichen Sclerosus?

Lichen sclerosus affects about 14.6 women per 100,000 woman-years.

Lichen sclerosus is also known as lichen sclerosis or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. It is a painful skin condition that typically affects the genitals (vulva or penis) and anus.

Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus. Background, symptoms and treatments. Includes photos in Multimedia Library section. Medscape.

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Current Perspectives. This review summarizes current perspectives on the pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus. PubMed, Int J Womens Health, 2020 Jan 15;12:11-20.

Case Reports

Case Reports: Scleredema of Buschke associated with lichen sclerosus. Both lichen sclerosus et atrophicus with scleredema adultorum of Buschke could be considered part of the spectrum of sclerodermoid disorders with common underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. PubMed, Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. (Also see Scleredema Adultorum Buschke)

Case Reports: Skin and mucous membranes' manifestations of dermatological diseases within the genital area in females. While analyzing the available scientific reports, the physician in charge must adjust therapeutic options individually, in the case of dermatological diseases within the female genital region. PubMed, Postepy Dermatol Alergol.

Photos

Content Warning: The following link includes explicit medical photos which are not suitable for children: Photos of Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus. Medscape

Treatments for Lichen Sclerosus

For UVA1 treatment, first contact your doctor to see if it they will recommend it for you. It is not used for lichen sclerosus that is on the genital area. If they recommend and prescribe it for you, try to find UVA1 facilities near you. Some dermatology offices (usually large offices or with major health centers) have UVA1 equipment (not UVB). It may also be possible to buy UVA1 phototherapy equipment for home use. It is manufactured by Daavlin and distributed worldwide. Home users must be monitored by a physician, who will prescribe the necessary dosage and monitor for possible side-effects, such as skin cancer.

Research

Adult Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Can Experts Agree on the Assessment of Disease Severity? Standardized descriptions regarding what constitutes mild, moderate, and severe signs and anatomical changes are required before further scale development can occur. PubMed, J Low Genit Tract Dis, 03/20/2020.

Psoriasis and concomitant fibrosing disorders: Lichen sclerosus, morphea, and systemic sclerosis. In this population, a predisposition toward autoimmunity is seen as 38.5% of patients had a personal history of a third concomitant autoimmune disease, in addition to psoriasis and fibrosing disorder, whereas 42.3% reported a history of a first-degree relative with an autoimmune disease. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (Also see Psoriasis, Morphea, Systemic Sclerosis, and Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS). Our results showed no relationship between HPV and LS. This result is in accordance with the literature. We have found 26.5% of EBV in our samples. This is a preliminary study, and the follow-up of these patients will elucidate whether EBV could play a role in cases of LS. Aidé S. (PubMed) J Low Genit Tract Dis.

Support Groups for Lichen Sclerosus

National Lichen Sclerosus Support Group of the United Kingdom. Established in 1997, we provide support on an international level. It is not known what causes LS but it has been found that there is a connection between LS and thyroid disease, vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases. NLSSG

(Nederland/Dutch) Lichen Sclerosuspatiënten, Nederland. De oorzaak is tot op heden onbekend. Men neemt aan dat het een auto-immuunziekte van de huid is en er lijkt verband te bestaan met andere auto-immuunziekte zoals schildklieraandoeningen, diabetes mellitus (suikerziekte), systemische lupus erythematodes (SLE), sclerodermie, vitiligo en een bepaalde vorm van bloedarmoede. LS Nederland.

Lichen Sclerosus Patient Stories

Anita: Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus My concern is that it is spreading all over my body: both legs, my back, my neck and moving toward my face…

Charmaine C: Lichen Sclerosus and Scleroderma Soon multiple spots developed across my abdomen, with a few stray ones on my forearms and more on the left leg…

Charmaine J: Lichen Sclerosus Atrophy (LSA) My skin is very hard and has no elasticity so sitting, laying, or riding in a car are uncomfortable…

Christine: Morphea and Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus I would love to know if there are any other solutions out there. Even ways to cover up a bit when I am in my bathing suit…

Cnette: Lichen Sclerosis et Atrophicus/Morphea Unfortunately I tried to relieve myself from the itching with over the counter products which did not work…

Connie D: Morphea Scleroderma At age sixteen I developed what I thought were bruises on the biceps of both arms…

Jenny M: Morphea Scleroderma I was told it was a fungus, then that it was clearly all in my head. I went to a dermatologist who told me I had vitiligo, and then that it was lichen sclerosis…

Kon: Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus The doctor told me to use tacrolimus ointment and take plaquenil pills. I had an improvement the first two months, but the condition still remains…

Maggie M: Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus and Generalized Morphea I had to seek medical help when I realized that it was spreading and getting considerably worse…

Tutter H: Lichen Sclerosus Since this is an autoimmune disorder, I have no idea how long this relief will last or if it will completely go away…

Vali: Mother of Linear Scleroderma Patient (Italy) A dermatologist diagnosed her with Linear Scleroderma, but another one said it was Linear Lichen Planus. My daughter's feet, when she walks, turn inside, and she is often warm, but doesn't have a fever…

(Italiano) Vali: Sclerodermia Lineare (Italia) Un dermatologo a diagnosticato una Sclerodermia Lineare. Un'altro invece: -Lichen Planus Lineare. Mia figlia ha i piedi che quando cammina li butta in dentro, e si sente spesso accaldata ma febbre non ne ha…

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