Lichen sclerosus

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

The exact cause of lichen sclerosus isn't known. However, the condition may be related to a lack of sex hormones in the affected skin or to an overactive immune system. Previous skin damage at a particular site on your skin may increase the likelihood of lichen sclerosus at that location.

Although lichen sclerosus may involve skin around your genitals, it isn't contagious and cannot spread through sexual intercourse.

Lichen sclerosus occurs most often in postmenopausal women, but it also occurs in men and children. In women, lichen sclerosus usually involves the vulva. In boys and men, uncircumcised males are most at risk, because the condition generally affects the foreskin. In children, the signs and symptoms may improve at puberty.

References
  1. What is lichen sclerosus? http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lichen_Sclerosus/default.asp. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  2. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00017-1--s1120&uniq=191177270&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=973564791. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  3. Ferri FF. Lichen sclerosus. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191177270-3/973564791/2088/379.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00021-6--s1765_7799. Accessed March 25, 2010.
  4. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 31, 2010.
DS00725 May 8, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger