Lichen schelosis

[LittleC]

Hello all - I feel I have lichen Schelosis & wondered if anyone on here has had it & could describe your experience, symptoms etc thanks so much

[AskEveTeam]

Hi there,

If you are concerned that you have LS, please do get this checked out by your doctor, so that he/she can prescribe steroid cream if needed.

Hopefully someone/people with LS will reply to this post and give you some peer-to-peer advice, but there is also a support group for women with LS on Facebook. Simply type

Lichen Sclerosus -sclerosis- UK Support Group For Women into the search bar.

Best Wishes,

The Ask Eve Team

[marlow7]

Hi LittleC, I have had lichen sclerorsus for many years, since I was 5 years old. The best place to get a diagnosis is at a sexual health clinic as some GP,s and practise nurses are not always very knowledgeable about LS. That’s how I got my diagnosis. Sexual health clinics are not just about STI’s .you need to see a dermatologist rather than a gynaecologist and have a biopsy done. This is my experience.

With LS you can get patches of white skin on the vulva. Most often it will itch. But not always. The skin will be very fragile and prone to splitting and tearing. The labia may shrink and look atrophied. The vaginal opening may narrow. You may have all of these symptoms or just one or two. As with most illnesses, not everyone may have exactly the same symptoms

Try to treat your vulva with the up most care. Do not use perfumed soaps on it; preferably do not use soap at all. I use an emollient to wash with. Try not to wear tight clothing. I only wear knickers if I feel I really have to, like if I am out and wearing a flimsy dress, when I’m at home I never wear them. Only wear cotton underwear.

Try to keep your vulva moisturised, you could use something like epaderm which you can buy at the chemist or I just use a good quality olive oil [word of warning, olive is a bit messy!]

I know how isolating this disease can make you feel, the emotional aspect of this disease can be as bad as the physical aspect. But you are not alone! Since I got diagnosed I have met more people with it over the years. I am very open about it and you would be amazed at the amount of women I have met who I have told about it and who have turned round and said they have it too or they think they might have it.

For me personally, I find talking about it helps me

I hope this helps you. I am not a medical person; I just want to help others with this horrible illness if I can. You are more than welcome to PM me any time.