Do I Have Lichen Sclerosus?

Do you have small, shiny and smooth white patches on your skin?

Do you have blotchy, wrinkled patches on your skin?

Do you have redness or itching?

Do you have discomfort or pain?

Do you have a shiny, thin skin that has a tendency to be dry and crack easily?

Does your skin bleed easily even due to a minor rubbing of the skin?

Do you have bruises (which can be red or purple) due to skin tearing?

Do you have painful sex?

If you are a man, do you have painful erections?

Do you have anal itching, bleeding, or pain?

Do you have trouble urinating or pain with urination?

Do you have blisters or ulcerated sores?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have lichen sclerosus. Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder characterized by the formation of uneven white patches that appear thinner than the surrounding normal skin. It can occur on any part of the body, but mainly affects the genital and anal area. In men, it can often be seen on the foreskin of the penis, while in women lichen sclerosus most often affects the vulva, but it can also occur on the upper arms and breasts. It is not a contagious disease and it is ten times more common in women than in men.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have lichen sclerosus. Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition in which itchy white patches form in the genital and anal area. The exact cause is not known, but it is believed that an overactive immune system and hormonal changes in your body play an important role. Lichen sclerosus can occur at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in postmenopausal women. Also, about 15 percent of people with this condition have a family member who also suffers from the same disorder. A diagnosis is based on a physical examination and a skin biopsy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have lichen sclerosus. Lichen sclerosus is a long-term skin disorder that presents as white patches of skin that usually occurs in your genital and anal area. It often co-exists with another skin condition (lichen simplex, vitiligo, psoriasis). If left untreated, the skin changes tend to scarring, which can lead to problems such as difficulty urinating, defecating or having intercourse. Lichen sclerosus rarely goes away on its own. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and improve the appearance of your skin. It includes the use of corticosteroid ointments and creams. It is not uncommon for lichens sclerosus to recur.