Women's Health

Lichen sclerosus

A chronic inflammatory dermatosis that usually affects anogenital skin, causing itch, soreness, white fragile plaques and scarring; recognise suspicious change because vulval lichen sclerosus carries a small but important risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

Definition

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis, usually affecting anogenital skin, characterised by white or pale fragile plaques, fissuring and a tendency to scarring and architectural distortion. It is associated with a small increased risk of anogenital squamous cell carcinoma.

First principles

Inflammation makes skin fragile and pale

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with autoimmune associations. Anogenital skin becomes fragile, pale or white, wrinkled and prone to fissuring, bruising and secondary irritation. It is not an infection, is not sexually transmitted and is not caused by poor hygiene.

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