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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffIf lichen sclerosus isn't in your genital area, you may not need treatment for lichen sclerosus, especially if you're not having symptoms. In fact, many cases disappear on their own.
But, for adults and children with lichen sclerosus on or around the genitals or anus, or with a more advanced case on other parts of the body, doctors most commonly prescribe corticosteroid ointments or creams, which are usually quite effective. Prolonged use of these medications isn't recommended because they can lead to thinning of the skin.
Other treatments for lichen sclerosus that your doctor may suggest include:
- Immune-modulating medications, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel)
- Prescription sex hormones
- Ultraviolet light treatment, for nongenital areas
Treatments cause your skin to assume a more normal appearance and decrease its tendency for further scarring.
For men with lichen sclerosus on the foreskin, removal of the foreskin (circumcision) is a common treatment in cases resistant to other therapies or more advanced cases. Surgery generally isn't recommended for women with lichen sclerosus because the condition may just come back after surgery.
