TRIP

Lichen Sclerosus

Patient UK, 2007

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that mainly affects the vulva in women and the penis in men.
It used to be called lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, but it is often now just called lichen sclerosus.
Women and girls - vulval and anal area In a typical case, small 'pearly white' spots develop on the vulva.
In some cases the changes of the vulval skin may make the entrance to the vagina (the labia) narrower.
At first the symptoms may be mistaken for thrush or other problems if the vulva is not examined carefully.
In time, the changes to the affected skin may cause difficulty in retracting the foreskin and in passing urine.
Away from the genital area, patches of lichen sclerosus usually do not cause itch or other symptoms and are usually harmless.
There is a type of inflammation within affected skin which causes changes to the structure of the affected skin.
In people with lichen sclerosus the genital area of skin may be attacked by some parts of the immune system which then causes inflammation.
About 1 in 4 people with lichen sclerosus have another auto-immune disease such as thyroid disease, vitiligo, or pernicious anaemia.
Are there any complications from lichen sclerosus? There is a small increased risk of developing cancer of the vulva.