Yes - I would recommend using an emollient regularly. The richer the better, but it is important to find one that you like to use, otherwise you will not use as often as required. I usually suggest at least twice a day or up to as many times as 'after every toilet visit'. That means having some with...

In some very lucky people, the skin changes of lichen sclerosus can disappear after treatment. This can usually only happen if the lichen sclerosus is mild to start with. In most people, treatment for lichen sclerosus can quieten down the inflammation that drives the problem and with time, lichen sc...

Both waxing and exfoliating can irritate the follicles (waxing) and the surface of the skin (exfoliating) so that can make the skin feel uncomfortable - possibly burning, tingling or itching. After pulling out hairs, as with waxing, the skin inside the follicle and around the entrance can be inflame...

Thank you writing in with what sounds like a worrying problem. From your description and the pictures, this does not sound like lichen sclerosus, as this rarely affects such a variety of body areas. It may be a different sort of skin problem or perhaps something affecting the whole body. I suggest t...

Although itching is the main symptom for most people with lichen sclerosus, it is not always a problem. Lichen sclerosus can quieten down and need little in the way of long-term treatment, but it would be good to be medically examined to be certain that all is quiet.

Although itching is the main symptom for most people with lichen sclerosus, it is not always a problem. Other conditions such as thrush or vaginal atrophy post-menopause can certainly cause itch, so it is good to hear that the pessaries have helped you so well. Lichen sclerosus can quieten down and ...

The two words are interchangeable. ‘Emollient’ implies softening and greasing the skin and ‘Moisturiser’ implies keeping the skin hydrated. So using a greasy layer on the skin does both. It is best to use these in two ways: 1) when washing, instead of soap, in order to avoid using a detergent, soapy...

If the only features on the vulva – seen both by yourself and the doctor – are white areas, then that is where the topical steroid should be applied. Sometimes it is difficult to see all the features of lichen sclerosus when examining yourself, so it is sensible to be guided by your doctor. From wha...

There is almost certainly a genetic component to the likelihood of being affected with lichen sclerosus. At present no specific gene has been identified that can be tested for in order to know if someone has an increased risk of developing lichen sclerosus. The basis for thinking that there is a gen...

Lichen sclerosus can be made worse by anything that irritates the skin, so the general advice is to avoid soaps and shower gels that are detergent-based. If a little of the detergent is left on the skin, for instance trapped in the folds, then it can ‘tickle-up’ the skin problem. My personal advice ...