Ultraviolet Light Treatment For Lichen Sclerosus

Near resolution of the lichen sclerosus on the abdomen.

Ultraviolet light treatment for lichen sclerosus.

Uv rays usually uvb are most commonly used. Light therapy phototherapy may help clear up lichen planus affecting the skin. This treatment is not used in the genital area so it is only an option for lichen sclerosus that occurs in other areas of the body. Regarding genital lichen sclerosus a rct comparing the efficacy of home administered medium dose ultraviolet uv a 1 was given 4 times a week with once daily application of clobetasol ointment in.

After several weeks your doctor will likely recommend that you only use these medications twice a week to prevent a recurrence. Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin condition that usually shows up on your genital or anal areas. In women surgery is often not a preferred treatment. Some physicians recommend the use of ultraviolet light treatment to relieve the symptoms of lichen sclerosus.

For men removing the foreskin circumcision is often a successful treatment. Other alternatives are retinoid treatments such as isotretinoin ultraviolet light for treating skin not near the genital area and photodynamic therapy a treatment that uses special drugs and light. But it can also affect your upper arms torso and breasts. That s because lichen sclerosus often comes back.

Light therapy usually requires two to three treatments a week for several weeks. Treatment for lichen sclerosus. In cases of mild lichen sclerosus especially when the genital regions are not affected you may not actually require treatment. After 3 months of narrowband uv b therapy.

The condition mostly affects adult women. Ultraviolet light treatment for affected rashes not on the genitals immune modulating medications like pimecrolimus elidel for women experiencing painful sexual intercourse due to tightening of. However if you are experiencing symptoms and the lichen sclerosus presents on the vulva or the penis your doctor is likely to recommend. Initially you ll generally have to use cortisone creams or ointments on the affected skin twice a day.

It can and often does clear up on its own. Corticosteroid ointments or creams are commonly prescribed for lichen sclerosus. Patients will typically enter a machine that shines uvb light onto the area.