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Lichen sclerosus

Other Names for this Disease
  • Lichen sclerosis
  • Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
  • Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
More Names
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Overview


Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder that can affect men, women, or children, but is most common in women. It usually occurs on the vulva (the outer genitalia or sex organ) in women, but sometimes develops on the head of the penis in men. Occasionally, lichen sclerosus is seen on other parts of the body, especially the upper body, breasts, and upper arms.  Other names for lichen sclerosus include kraurosis vulvae and hypoplastic dystrophy.[1][2]

References

  1. What Is Lichen Sclerosus?. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) . http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lichen_Sclerosus/default.asp. Accessed January 8, 2013.
  2. Edwards L. Diseases and Disorders of the Anogenitalia of Females. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine, 6th edition. Philadelphia, PA: 2003.
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General Information

  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
  • The Center for Young Women's Health Children's Hospital Boston has developed an online fact sheet on lichen sclerosus that you might find helpful. Click on the link above to view this information page.
  • The MayoClinic.com also provides information on lichen sclerosus. To view this information, click on the link above.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Lichen sclerosus. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Lichen sclerosus. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.