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Lichen sclerosus

Evidence: Immune-mediated

Names

Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
Balanitis xerotica obliterans (especially when diagnosed in men)

Pronunciation: ‘like-en skler-oh-sus’

Description

Lichen sclerosis causes patches of skin to look white, thickened and crinkly. It most often affects the skin around the vulva or anus.

There is circumstantial evidence that lichen sclerosis is autoimmune but no clear evidence to support it.

Prevalence

US Cases: 160,000 [Melnick 2020]. However, most of these cases are probably not autoimmune.

Typical Age of onset

Lichen sclerosis can occur at any age but is more common among women over age 50.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms usually affect the skin of the vulva, genital and anal areas, but may also affect the skin of the upper body, upper arms and breasts. They may include:

  • Redness

  • Itching (pruritus), sometimes severe

  • Discomfort or pain, especially during a bowel movement, urination or sex

  • Smooth white patches on your skin

  • Blotchy, wrinkled patches

  • Pain during sex

  • Skin bruising, tearing and tearing

  • Blisters

  • Easy bleeding from minor rubbing of the skin

  • membranes lining the digestive tract may also swell causing nausea, vomiting, and cramps