DIAGNOSIS
The doctor will ask about your medical history. He/she will conduct a physical exam to check the affected areas and conduct a skin biopsy for examination.
TREATMENT
The doctor will recommend treatment if you have lichen sclerosus on your genitals or anus to mitigate itching, lessens further scarring, and boost your skin’s appearance.
Corticosteroids may be in the form of creams or ointments to prevent a recurrence. You need to apply these medications twice a day to the affected area of the skin. Furthermore, the doctor will monitor you for expected side effects, including skin thinning due to prolonged use of corticosteroids.
Other treatment options include:
- The doctor will prescribe an ointment called tacrolimus (Protopic) if the corticosteroids fail.
- For men with severe cases, the foreskin is removed.
- The ultraviolet light treatment is used for affected rashes.
- Immune-modulating medication like Pimecrolimus (Elidel) is applied.
- The doctor will prescribe vaginal dilators, water-based lubricants, and numbing creams for women who suffer from painful sexual intercourse.
There are also home remedy treatments as listed below:
- Apply lubricants to the affected portion.
- Wash the affected area daily.
- Use mild soap and avoid over bathing.
- Apply ice packs, cool compresses, and oatmeal solutions to lessen the burning and discomfort.
- Take an oral antihistamine to control the itching at night.
In some rare cases, lichen sclerosus goes away on its own and without treatment.
