Lichen sclerosus is a continuing peel condition of obscure origin that mostly affects crotch . This condition is 10 times more coarse in middle aged female than in males ; however , it does not have any racial or heathenish predilection . It is also known by the name lichen sclerosus et atrophicus .
What is Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus?
Extragenital lichen sclerosus is the natural event of lichen sclerosus in domain other than genitals such as peel of thighs , abdomen , buttocks , lower back , under chest , neck opening , shoulders and/or armpits .
Causes and Risk Factors for Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus
The chances of getting extragenital lichen sclerosus increase with autoimmune disease and certain bacterial infections . The disease is extremely rarefied in circumcised gentleman , which is revelatory of continuing price due to weewee clogging under the prepuce .
The cause of lichen sclerosus is still unclear and work point toward inherited , hormonal , environmental irritants , hurt and contagion . It is consider an autoimmune disease and extracellular matrix protein-1 ( ECM-1 ) antibody have been identified in about 60 to 80 % of women with vulval lichen sclerosus . Since lichen sclerosus commonly affects postmenopausal womanhood , lack of oestrogen is also considered an authoritative factor .
Symptoms of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus
The symptoms of extragenital lichen sclerosus depend on the harshness of the fount , on occasion , mild cases are found to be non - symptomatic . When symptoms are present , they can order from mild to dangerous pruritis ( itch ) with wrinkled ( parched ) white plaques on the affected skin . itch is the most common symptom of these lesions . The affected area may have discomfort or pain with prosperous bruising and chafing . Severe case might extend to blistering , ulcerations and bleed too . They have a tendency to seem on their own and subside with subsequent relapse .
Diagnosis of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus
The diagnosing of extragenital lichen sclerosus is based on careful clinical examination along with sign and symptoms and aesculapian chronicle . In doubtful grammatical case , biopsy may be needed and broadcast to science lab for microscopical examination that might confirm the diagnosing and helper with differential diagnosing as the lesions signaling and symptoms may resemble few other lesions .
Treatment of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus
The treatment of extragenital lichen sclerosus vary from individual to individual and in most of the person it subsides on its own without any treatment . In meek subject without any symptom , it limits on its own and no discussion is command . Although , there is no determinate therapeutic for the disease , there are some criterion that may be adopted to limit the disease . Topical steroids are the mainstay for lichen sclerosus such as clobetasol , mometasone , beclomethasone . Systemic steroids may also be used .
Additional management let in unwritten reinoids ( isotretinoin , acitretin ) , methotrexate , ciclosporin and immune suppress drugs ( tacrolimus , pimecrolimus ) . Lichen sclerosus may also be deal with ultraviolet light therapy , photodynamic therapy , carbonic acid gas ablation optical maser , fat injections and base cell and platelet ample plasma shot along with surgery in stern cases .
Complications of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus
The complications of extragenital lichen sclerosus include intense itch that may lead to bruising and ultimately secondary bacterial or fungous infections . There is also a greater probability that severe lichen sclerosus may direct to invasive squamous mobile phone carcinomas . Recurrent and longstanding wound may lead to self ikon topic in some individuals make emotional as well as psychological tenseness leading to slump .
Prevention and Prognosis of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus
Unfortunately , there are no effective way to prevent extragenital lichen sclerosus since the cause of this disease is still nameless . However , some measures will help prevent onward motion and worsening of the disease . These include incorporating unspoilt hygiene and care and desist from engrave the region , no matter how severe the itch . Treatment of other autoimmune disorders can be tackle too .
The medical prognosis of extragenital lichen sclerosus depends on the severity of the precondition . The disease is usually not life endanger and balmy cases have very good forecast . Lichen sclerosus has a propensity for return and severe cases may become chronic and flummox difficulty with their management . However , most of the cases are symptomless and mild , which subside on their own , having near prognosis .
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