Ultraviolet Light 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.

Ultraviolet light treatment for lichen sclerosus.

Light therapy usually requires two to three treatments a week for several weeks. The most common phototherapy for lichen planus uses ultraviolet b uvb light which penetrates only the upper layer of skin epidermis. 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. For men removing the foreskin circumcision is often a successful treatment.

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. But it can also affect your upper arms torso and breasts. The condition mostly affects adult women. That s because lichen sclerosus often comes back.

This is done if other treatments fail. After 3 months of narrowband uv b therapy. Light therapy phototherapy may help clear up lichen planus affecting the skin. Some physicians recommend the use of ultraviolet light treatment to relieve the symptoms of lichen sclerosus.

Patients will typically enter a machine that shines uvb light onto the area. Uv rays usually uvb are most commonly used. Tacrolimus protopic and pimecrolimus elidel a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors are other options to treat lichen sclerosus that occurs on the vulva. Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin condition that usually shows up on your genital or anal areas.

Corticosteroid ointments or creams are commonly prescribed for lichen sclerosus. In cases of mild lichen sclerosus especially when the genital regions are not affected you may not actually require treatment. In women surgery is often not a preferred treatment. It can and often does clear up on its own.

Initially you ll generally have to use cortisone creams or ointments on the affected skin twice a day. 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. After several weeks your doctor will likely recommend that you only use these medications twice a week to prevent a recurrence.