lichen sclerosus
Genital skin atrophy
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition that causes thin, white, patchy areas of skin, most commonly affecting the genital and anal regions.
The affected skin becomes fragile and may tear easily, often causing itching, pain, or discomfort.
Though it can occur at any age and in any sex, it most frequently appears in postmenopausal women.
The condition is not contagious and its cause remains unclear, though it may involve autoimmune factors.
Treatment typically includes potent topical steroids to manage symptoms and prevent scarring.
Irritating skin sensation
- white patchesDiscolored light areas
- burningCombustion in progress
- painfulCausing hurt or ache
- thinningReducing density or number
atrophy · scarring · fissures · soreness · tenderness · rawness · fragility · bruising
Melanocyte-loss skin condition
- thyroiditisThyroid gland inflammation
- celiacPertaining to the abdomen
- type 1 diabetesAutoimmune insulin deficiency disease
- pernicious anemiaIntrinsic factor deficiency disease
Sjögren's syndrome · lupus · autoimmune disorders · phimosis
Of the external genitalia
- anogenitalAnus-and-genitals region
- genitalOf sex organs
- prepuceFold covering glans
- foreskinPenile glans covering
clitoral · labial · perianal · perineal · mucosal · skin · epithelial
Persisting over time
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- relapsingReturning to worse state
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- incurableCannot be healed
long-lasting · degenerative · autoimmune · rare · underdiagnosed · benign · noninfectious · noncommunicable
Protective tissue response
- immune responseBody fighting foreign threats
- collagenStructural body protein
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
T-cells · autoantibodies · dermal · histology · biopsy · epidermal · basement membrane
Surface-applied anti-inflammatory medications
- emollientsSkin-softening agents
- circumcisionForeskin surgical removal
- phototherapyHealing through light exposure
- laser treatmentMedical procedure using focused light
cryotherapy · moisturizers · follow-up · monitoring · dermatologist · gynecologist · urologist
itching
Irritating skin sensation
- white patchesDiscolored light areas
- burningCombustion in progress
- painfulCausing hurt or ache
thinning · atrophy · scarring · fissures · soreness · tenderness · rawness · fragility · bruising · bleeding
vitiligo
Melanocyte-loss skin condition
- thyroiditisThyroid gland inflammation
- celiacPertaining to the abdomen
- type 1 diabetesAutoimmune insulin deficiency disease
pernicious anemia · Sjögren's syndrome · lupus · autoimmune disorders · phimosis
vulvar
Of the external genitalia
- anogenitalAnus-and-genitals region
- genitalOf sex organs
- prepuceFold covering glans
foreskin · clitoral · labial · perianal · perineal · mucosal · skin · epithelial
chronic
Persisting over time
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- relapsingReturning to worse state
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
incurable · long-lasting · degenerative · autoimmune · rare · underdiagnosed · benign · noninfectious · noncommunicable · acquired
inflammation
Protective tissue response
- immune responseBody fighting foreign threats
- collagenStructural body protein
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
cytokines · T-cells · autoantibodies · dermal · histology · biopsy · epidermal · basement membrane
topical steroids
Surface-applied anti-inflammatory medications
- emollientsSkin-softening agents
- circumcisionForeskin surgical removal
- phototherapyHealing through light exposure
laser treatment · cryotherapy · moisturizers · follow-up · monitoring · dermatologist · gynecologist · urologist
- skin conditionseczema, psoriasis, hives, dermatitis, rash
- skin disorderseczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, keratosis, albinism
- vulvar conditions
- foreskin problemsphimosis
- genital conditionsphimosis, micropenis, hydrocele, testicular torsion, genital warts
- Precancersdysplasia, CIN, VIN
lichen sclerosusherpes simplex
Latent blister-causing virus
genital warts · sexually transmitted infection · genital herpes · syphilis · HPV infection