Lichen sclerosis
Lichen sclerosis is one of the rare skin conditions that occur on the genital or anal areas and it can affect any part of the body including breasts, torso, vulva skin, the foreskin of the penis, anus, and upper arms. In this condition, patchy and white skin occurs that is thinner than the normal skin. It mostly occurs after menopause, but it can also occur to other people as well. Postmenopausal women have the higher risk for this disease. For such skin disease, there is no cure, only treatments are meant to manage the symptoms.
Symptoms of Lichen sclerosis
Some of the common symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus are below mentioned
- Discomfort or pain
- Smooth white spots on your skin
- Painful intercourse
- Blotchy, wrinkled patches
- Easy bruising or tearing
- In severe cases, bleeding, blistering or ulcerated lesions
- Itching (pruritus), which can be severe
What causes lichen sclerosis?
Sill doctors are not confirmed about the main cause of this disease. It has observed that it is contagious and it may spread through contact or sexual intercourse. However, some of the reasons have emerged for the contribution of its development which includes previous skin damage, imbalance of hormones, an autoimmune disorder, etc.
However, some people have the higher risk of lichen sclerosis development which includes postmenopausal women, uncircumcised males, and children who have not yet gone through puberty.
How is it being Diagnosed?
The doctors go for physical examination of the body and check the skin of the body. The doctors may also go for a biopsy which means removal of small pieces of skin and get it examined at the lab under the microscope. The biopsy will confirm the rule of the diagnosis.
How is lichen sclerosis treated?
As Lichen Sclerosus can’t be cured therefore a number of treatments have been emerged such as follows:
- Topical corticosteroids
- Removal of the foreskin in severe cases involving men
- Ultraviolet light treatment for affected rashes not on the genitals
- Immune-modulating medications like pimecrolimus (Elidel)
- For women experiencing painful sexual intercourse due to tightening of the vagina
What are the complications of lichen sclerosis?
If not treated lichen sclerosis, seriously, then it can lead to a number of problems such as bruises, blisters, and ulcerated lesions. If these wounds are not kept clean even when it is open, then it will become infected and in some cases, it can even become a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. If the lichen sclerosis turns into squamous cell carcinomas then it may resemble as red lumps, ulcers or crusted areas.
People whosoever is suffering from this problem, they must consult with the experienced and well-known doctors like Garima Sawhney. So, people just need to take a prior appointment to consult the doctor and later she will go through complete diagnosis and complete process. A prior checkup is important for the patient before the disease becomes a big trouble for her. So, visit Garima Sahney’s clinic for better treatment.