Penis Lichen Sclerosus, male 34

This is not a cancer. It is a pre-cancerous condition and i do not think there are any cases at all where it has advanced to cancer. If you google the condition there has only even been one case where a man had a white spot on his lip and it went away on its own and never recurred. I was looking into it because I have some sores on my mouth after extensive dental l work and having LS i was worried it might be connected.

There is currently no cure for LS. It is considered an auto immune condition. Even though literature seems to say its been known of since the 1800's.

I am not a health care professional, just someone who who has been there and done that for many years now.

LS is one of those highly misunderstood conditions with not much quality information. Perhaps because it is seen as a condition and not a disease, or because it mostly affects women and in an "unmentionable" area. LS isn't very well studied or considered of importance in my opinion.

I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Hi I am a male who has been dealing with BXO / Lichen Sclerosus for the last 9 years or so.

Not sure if you are describing the topical steroid you have as a cream, rsather than it actually being an ointment, as certainly, for male LS cream versions of steroid applications these have very little beneficial impact.

What is the steroid called, is it white in colour or is it clear / opaque? When did you first use it, how often did you apply it, and was it described in detail to you how you should use it? Unless you have been applying a steroid ointment correctly, that is, sufficiently frequently enough to deal with the level of infection you have, have sufficiently rubbed it into the skin so that it is absorbed, have carefully stretched the skin in the infected area - and of course, that the steroid content is of the required strength yo will never know whether it could have provided you will the correct management of the condition.

I would say that unless you have been applying it for 4, 5 or even more months all you will have is a false impression of the steroid itself, given the additional factors I have just highlighted.

And no, circumcision is no guarantee of cure - on the Penis Disorders Forum elsewhere on this web site LS is not a common issue that is posted on by males. However, when I first started my involvement on this web site 1 male stated he had been circumcised to 'cure' LS - still had the condition afterwards - but was now minus the benefits that a foreskin provides. In addition, 1 other male who had been circumcised at birth acquired LS as an adult - with the typical medical information that is in common circulation being that circumcised males cannot get LS.

My main criticism of this Forum is that the additional factors that are particularly pertinent to LS, and, indeed, to all Autoimmune conditions, is that things like dietary specifics are not even mentioned as being relevant (and yes Ladies, I have extensively read the posts in this Forum). It is Nancy KB who has extensively researched these broader, essentially relevant factors and you would do yourself a great benefit by reading what Nancy has posted in this Forum. I include Links to some of the most essential posts by both Nancy and Starligh8 below:

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https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nutritional-support-protocol-for-autoimmune-diseases-636963

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https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pathway-into-and-out-of-autoimmune-diseases--661033

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I also include a Link to a Response Posted by Starlight8 as I have found that the information is particularly relevant to dealing with Genital Skin Disorders where treatment consists of topical application of Steroidal Ointments - and again is most relevant to those dealing with or suspect they may have Lichen based skin disorders, such as Lichen Sclerosus (LS):

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https://patient.info/forums/discuss/lichen-is-taking-my-life-need-help-660159?page=0#3199398

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.. for those accessing the final link you may need to scroll down the page to see the response posted by Starlight8 as it was not her original Forum Posting, it was a very detailed Reply to someone else.

Hi Al

I am also 34, male and I am in the UK.

I have penile LS - which appeared at EXACTLY the same time as my Alopecia Barbae just over a year ago. A consultant Dermatologist gave me ELOCON (Mometasone Furoate) to apply to both areas (safe on penis).

Within DAYS my LS appeared to almost completely disappear. White patches/hard skin disappeared. Was very strange!

It hasn't helped my alopecia so far - but the Dr suggested months.

It's evident that I have an autoimmune issue. I have been through significant stress at work - also turning to alcohol which really isn't good and, thankfully, I noticed this early on and stopped.

This leads nicely to the next point. My blood tests - including a MYRIAD of different types - liver, CRP, EFT, Immunoglobulin, ANA, thyroid - are unremarkable. Everything was completely normal. You name it, I've had the blood test for everything. I thought it was a Vitamin B12 issue - but alas not. The Active B12 was also normal.

HOWEVER, my Vitamin D test was exceptionally low - as in almost undetectable volume! I suspect this was due to my alcohol intake not allowing vitamins to be absorbed.

I have been taking supplements for a few months and have a blood test soon to check on this.

Provided you don't have any severe phimosis, try the cream and also insist on FBC, U&E and LFT blood tests. Also request Thyroid. If you're worried, and depending on where you live, I'd suggest 'Thriva' online testing (or the equivalent depending on where you are globally). I think I paid £60 and it tested a lot of things and is entirely accurate and comparative with NHS results I've had.