Recent from talks
Lichen sclerosus
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus (LSc ) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease, of disputed cause, which can affect any body part of any person, but has a strong predilection for the genitals (penis, vulva); it has historically been called balanitis xerotica obliterans when it affects the penis. LSc is not contagious. There is a well-documented increase of genital cancer risk in LSc, potentially much reduced with early diagnosis and effective, definitive treatment, especially in men. LSc in adult age women is held to be incurable, although treatment can lessen its effects, and it often gets progressively worse if not treated properly. Most males with mild or intermediate disease, restricted to the foreskin or the glans penis can be cured by either medical or surgical treatment.
LSc can occur without symptoms. White patches on the affected area, itching, pain, dyspareunia (in genital LSc), easier bruising, cracking, tearing and peeling, as well as hyperkeratosis, are common symptoms in both men and women. In women, the condition most commonly occurs on the vulva and around the anus with ivory-white elevations that may be flat and glistening.[citation needed] In men, difficulty retracting the foreskin, tightening of the foreskin and episodes of 'thrush' or cystitis, prostatitis and urethritis may be accompanying features of the history. An acute presentation is paraphimosis, where the foreskin has become fixed in the retracted state and cannot be replaced.
In males, the disease may present in several ways. Symptoms and signs may be subtle or florid. Lichenoid inflammation (creating 'waisting' or an 'hourglass' constrictive posthitis) and Zoonoid inflammation can be encountered and co-exist; Zoon's balanitis in the absence of LSc probably does not exist.
Progressive tissue damage causes a waxy pallor, etiolated tissue and then frank sclerosis in the form of grey/white patches on the glans and foreskin. It also causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melanosis.
Adhesions, partial or complete, sub coronal and trans coronal occur and the frenulum can become sclerotic and obliterated. Loss of dermal support creates telangiectasia and angiokeratomas. Progressive preputial sclerosis and narrowing (preputial stenosis), forming an 'indurated ring', which can make retraction more difficult or impossible (phimosis -'muzzling'). Meatal stenosis, making it more difficult or even impossible to urinate, may also occur.
In contrast to women, anal involvement in men is much less frequent.
On the non-genital skin, the disease may manifest as porcelain-white spots with small visible plugs inside the orifices of hair follicles or sweat glands on the surface. Thinning of the skin may also occur.
Distress due to the discomfort and pain of lichen sclerosus is normal, as are concerns with self-esteem and sex. Counseling can help.[citation needed]
Hub AI
Lichen sclerosus AI simulator
(@Lichen sclerosus_simulator)
Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus (LSc ) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease, of disputed cause, which can affect any body part of any person, but has a strong predilection for the genitals (penis, vulva); it has historically been called balanitis xerotica obliterans when it affects the penis. LSc is not contagious. There is a well-documented increase of genital cancer risk in LSc, potentially much reduced with early diagnosis and effective, definitive treatment, especially in men. LSc in adult age women is held to be incurable, although treatment can lessen its effects, and it often gets progressively worse if not treated properly. Most males with mild or intermediate disease, restricted to the foreskin or the glans penis can be cured by either medical or surgical treatment.
LSc can occur without symptoms. White patches on the affected area, itching, pain, dyspareunia (in genital LSc), easier bruising, cracking, tearing and peeling, as well as hyperkeratosis, are common symptoms in both men and women. In women, the condition most commonly occurs on the vulva and around the anus with ivory-white elevations that may be flat and glistening.[citation needed] In men, difficulty retracting the foreskin, tightening of the foreskin and episodes of 'thrush' or cystitis, prostatitis and urethritis may be accompanying features of the history. An acute presentation is paraphimosis, where the foreskin has become fixed in the retracted state and cannot be replaced.
In males, the disease may present in several ways. Symptoms and signs may be subtle or florid. Lichenoid inflammation (creating 'waisting' or an 'hourglass' constrictive posthitis) and Zoonoid inflammation can be encountered and co-exist; Zoon's balanitis in the absence of LSc probably does not exist.
Progressive tissue damage causes a waxy pallor, etiolated tissue and then frank sclerosis in the form of grey/white patches on the glans and foreskin. It also causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melanosis.
Adhesions, partial or complete, sub coronal and trans coronal occur and the frenulum can become sclerotic and obliterated. Loss of dermal support creates telangiectasia and angiokeratomas. Progressive preputial sclerosis and narrowing (preputial stenosis), forming an 'indurated ring', which can make retraction more difficult or impossible (phimosis -'muzzling'). Meatal stenosis, making it more difficult or even impossible to urinate, may also occur.
In contrast to women, anal involvement in men is much less frequent.
On the non-genital skin, the disease may manifest as porcelain-white spots with small visible plugs inside the orifices of hair follicles or sweat glands on the surface. Thinning of the skin may also occur.
Distress due to the discomfort and pain of lichen sclerosus is normal, as are concerns with self-esteem and sex. Counseling can help.[citation needed]
Recent media