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.
Patient Groups
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
