Ultraviolet Light Treatment For Lichen Sclerosus

Some physicians recommend the use of ultraviolet light treatment to relieve the symptoms of lichen sclerosus.

Ultraviolet light treatment for lichen sclerosus.

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. The most common phototherapy for lichen planus uses ultraviolet b uvb light which penetrates only the upper layer of skin epidermis. For men removing the foreskin circumcision is often a successful treatment. Near resolution of the lichen sclerosus on the abdomen.

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. Uv rays usually uvb are most commonly used. The condition mostly affects adult women. Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin condition that usually shows up on your genital or anal areas.

It can and often does clear up on its own. Corticosteroid ointments or creams are commonly prescribed for lichen sclerosus. Treatment for lichen sclerosus. 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.

Initially you ll generally have to use cortisone creams or ointments on the affected skin twice a day. Patients will typically enter a machine that shines uvb light onto the area. In women surgery is often not a preferred treatment. Light therapy phototherapy may help clear up lichen planus affecting the skin.

After 3 months of narrowband uv b therapy. After several weeks your doctor will likely recommend that you only use these medications twice a week to prevent a recurrence. Light therapy usually requires two to three treatments a week for several weeks. However if you are experiencing symptoms and the lichen sclerosus presents on the vulva or the penis your doctor is likely to recommend.

Tacrolimus protopic and pimecrolimus elidel a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors are other options to treat lichen sclerosus that occurs on the vulva. But it can also affect your upper arms torso and breasts. This is done if other treatments fail.