Lichen Sclerosus Information - Symptoms and Treatment

Lichen sclerosus is a painful skin condition which occurs most often on the genital (vulva) area of women. The involved areas are often itchy. As the condition progresses bruising and pain may occur. Skin affected by lichen sclerosus is usually white and sometimes there is a fine, crinkling texture to it. This disease typically affects the vulva (or penis) and anus. In women, LS falls under the general category of vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain). It is not a contagious condition. Some researchers believe that LS may be associated with an increased risk of developing vulval or penile cancer. The most common sufferers of LS are post-menopausal women, although the disease can strike women of any age -- including young girls. In addition, there are many known cases of men and boys diagnosed with LS. It may follow or co-exist with another skin condition such as lichen simplex, candidiasis or erosive lichen planus.

What are the causes of Lichen Sclerosus ?

The cause of lichen sclerosus is not fully understood but lichen sclerosus is not contagious. It is not associated with any other disease except for rarely skin cancer . Its causes may include genetic, hormonal and infectious components. Lichen sclerosus is believed to relate to an autoimmune process, in which there are antibodies to a component of the skin. This is possibly extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM-1) as antibodies to this protein have been detected in 75-80% of women with vulval lichen sclerosus. Other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease (about 20% of patients), pernicious anaemia, vitiligo and alopecia areata are reported to be more frequent than expected in patients who have lichen sclerosus and in their families.

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