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Lichen SclerosusLichen sclerosus(LS) (also known as lichen sclerosus et atrophicus(LSA), white-spot disease) is an uncommon disease of unknown cause that results in white patches on the skin which may cause scarring on and around genital skin. Women are more commonly affected than men particularly around and after menopause, but girls may also get the disease. The condition most commonly occurs on the vulva and around the anus with ivory-white elevations which may be flat and glistening. There may be marked itching or the condition may be without any symptoms. There may be thinning and shrinkage of genital area that may make coitus painful. In males, the disease may take the form of whitish thickening of the foreskin which cannot be retracted easily. One study has revealed that 51 (98%) of 52 patients diagnosed with penile LS were uncircumcised.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10724196 In men, this genital involvement has traditionally been known as balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO).http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic46.htm On the non-genital skin, the disease may manifest as porcelain-white spots with small visible plugs inside the orifices of hair follicles or sweat glands on the surface. Thinning of the skin may also occur. The disease last for a long time. Occasionally, spontaneous cure may ensue, particularly in young girls. LS is usually treated with application of potent steroids, which may cause relief and prevent scarring. Other options are cryotherapy, and laser therapy. Occasionally, cancer may develop on the patches. Periodic consultation is therefore necessary.
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