I am a 46 year old mother of 5 and was diagnosed with LS in April of this year. I literally watched a white plaque spread over my clitorus in the space of two weeks. Very little itch just very sore and swollen. I was diagnosed without biopsy as it was such a small area. It was treated with a steroid cream 1 strength down from Clob and within a week, the plaque literally melted away and my skin now looks normal HOWEVER, the tingling and skin crawling sensation continues and feels as though it's spreading over the clitoral hood and the skin directly above. My Dr has since put me on Clobetasol to get rid of it but it continues and i'm wondering it this is the natural progression of the disease - spreading around the vulva? My doc led me to believe the CLOB would 'knock it on the head' but it hasn't.
I have also notice that i get a bad flare up a week before a period and suffer a herpes outbreak (genital) which I would typically have about once a year - not once a month. I can't help but wonder about there being some viral invovlment with LS. I know the HPV (wart virus) and the virus that causes Lymes disease have been implicated in many patients though not conclusive. I've had Glandular Fever as a child (EPV) and I know that hangs around in your system for years so who knows what could trigger the LS. As much as the doctors think it's an autoimmune disease, I can't help but wonder if there's a viral trigger .... Does anyone have any viruses they know they harbour and wonder if they could be somehow responsible?
I don't have any info or opinion on a viral connection. My experience at this time is that keeping the vulva area covered with Aquiphor ointment has been a tremendous help. I have used and occasionally use the Clobetasol but my last physician recommended a hormone cream for vulva twice a day and the Aquiphor along with the hormone patch on my buttocks. I am convinced that hormones are part of the solution to this issue for me anyways at age 59.
I'm hoping I have found the right combo. I have gotten opinions from two gyno doctors and one dermatology all different opinions (?) I know they care but it is hard to find right combo. Again , I am surprised at how much it helps as I keep the area covered round the clock with the Aquiphor ointment.
I am a 53 year old mom of 3 but diagnosed at 31. No history of HPV, Lymes or Herpes. My father suffered from Rhumatoid arthrits and my mother's sister had lupus, both autoimmune. I believe this to be autoimmune. When the immune system is "sick" it may not effectively fight off viral attacks and that may be why your herpes keeps flaring not to mention the increase in vulnerable tissue in the vulva from the LS trauma. I started flaring again recently probably due to hormonal flux although I still have menses. I do notice my flares begin during ovulation as well so I use estradiol and progesterone dropping the progesterone when I begin my menses. I wish I had better answers for you. Keep the vulva hydrated with emu oil or even coconut oil. I use jojoba oil with some essential oils mixed in. This will help the tissues stay moist, prevent them from sticking and help prevent friction.
When I had a biopsy that told me I had LIchen Plantus ( hope that's spelled correct ) the Dr told me it was caused by a virus that attacked my immune system . I was told to use Clobetasol Cream 2 times a day . I tore so many times on my vulva , I really thought I had cancer and was so happy to hear it was L.P. And something so simple as a tube of cream could make me better . I am having trouble with a white place on my lower gum , went to the dentist he said Lichen Plantis ! I have all the little bumps and ridges on the inside of my cheeks but the white spot on my gum really made me worry again about cancer . I am ok now and hope all of you dealing with this problem get better soon .