Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that can cause a range of issues that can affect the skin on your:

• Vulva (the area outside your vagina).
• Penis.
• Foreskin.
• Urethra.
• Anus.

It often looks like a discolored, thin, itchy and scaly patch. Blisters and sores (usually from persistent itching) may also form on your genitals. But rarely do these symptoms appear on other body parts.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic (life-long) condition. Without treatment, it can lead to scarring, making it difficult or painful to have sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), urinate (pee) or have a bowel movement (poop). Untreated lichen sclerosus can also increase your chances of developing a type of skin cancer (penile cancer and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma). There isn’t a cure for lichen sclerosus, though treatment can help manage your symptoms.

Other names for lichen sclerosus include balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) and white spot disease.

What does lichen sclerosus look like?

When lichen sclerosus first appears, it looks like small, white, shiny, slightly raised spots on your genitals or anus. Over time, more spots may develop and eventually join together to form a white patch that looks like wrinkly parchment or tissue paper.

How common is lichen sclerosus?

Lichen sclerosus isn’t common. About 200,000 people in the United States have it.

Even if you have several risk factors, lichen sclerosus is still rare.