Genital Itchiness: What You Need to Know About Lichen Sclerosus

Studies also suggest that the immune-modulating creams pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic) can help. These medications are approved for the treatment of eczema and atopic dermatitis and are generally safe when used for the short-term. Long-term use could increase the risk of cancer. If ointments and other treatments don't work, your doctor may prescribe the oral medication acetretin (Soriatane), a retinoid, which is a form of vitamin A that helps regulate cell growth. Acetretin is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating LS, but your doctor can prescribe it "off-label." It has many side effects, including severe birth defects, so it is not recommended for women of child-bearing age. If you are having trouble sleeping at night because of itching and burning, your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants or tranquilizers.

Other studies suggest that ultraviolet light, often used to treat other skin conditions, may help reduce the lesions and symptoms of LS on nongenital skin.

Surgery may be an option for men with lichen sclerosus on the foreskin; circumcision usually permanently removes lesions. Surgery is not recommended for removing women's lesions, because lesions often return, but it may be used to remove scarring.

Lifestyle changes can also help prevent or reduce the discomfort from LS, such as using nonallergenic soaps, wearing cotton underwear during the day and no underwear at night and avoiding scratching the genital area. One study demonstrated beneficial effects in 15 LS cases treated with intramuscular antibiotics, either ceftriaxone (Rocephin) or penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin LA), combined with an oral antibiotic (cephalosporin or penicillin). When given over several months, this treatment led to marked improvement in pain, itching and burning in all patients and complete clearing of skin lesions in four patients.