Unattractive Penis Skin May Be Lichen Sclerosis

Skin care is something that is identified with women, but which is important for men as well. And, of course, that need for care extends to penis skin as well. Unattractive penis skin can mar an otherwise-appealing member, causing potential partners to check out. It can also indicate possible hygienic or penis health issues which may need tending to. For example, sometimes penis skin problems may result from a condition known as lichen sclerosis.

Not just women

Lichen sclerosis is much more common among women (in whom it affects the vagina) than in men, but it does occur in men – probably more frequently than is known. (Many men are reluctant to report problems they have with their penis to a doctor, so it is suspected that lichen sclerosis is underreported among males.)

Also known in men as balanitis xerotica obliterans, lichen sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder about which not enough is known. The cause or causes are still being identified and explored, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. What does that mean? Well, an autoimmune disorder occurs when a person’s body mistakenly starts identifying something that naturally exists in the body (usually a protein) as a foreign object, and so starts developing antibodies to fight this supposedly foreign object.

Because some 15% of people with lichen sclerosis have a relative with the condition, it is also thought that there may be a genetic component involved in the disorder as well.

What it does

When a man has lichen sclerosis, it is usually located in the glans (or head) of the penis. It may become inflamed, causing redness. There may also be white patches which appear on the glans, and the skin may get blotchy and wrinkled. It becomes sensitive, so that the skin may tear more easily, causing bleeding, and sometimes there are sores or ulcers that appear in the area. Most men experience severe penile itching as well. The urethra tends to constrict, so that urine streams may thin, crooked or “spattery;” in intact men, the foreskin may become difficult to retract. And sex usually becomes painful while lichen sclerosis is present.

Often, young intact boys with phimosis also have lichen sclerosis. Otherwise, it is more common among middle-aged men, especially if they are uncircumcised; however, many of any age, with or without foreskin, can be affected.

Treatment

The first step in treating lichen sclerosis is to get it diagnosed, so a visit to a urologist – or at least to a general practitioner – is in order. Since the exact cause of the disorder is still under discussion, treatment tends to involve attacking the symptoms rather than the root cause itself.

The most common, and usually effective, course of treatment is application of corticosteroids via a crème or ointment. In most cases, the corticosteroids will be applied twice a day until the symptoms disappear. Frequently, a patient will be recommended to continue treatment on a much less frequent basis (once or twice a week) to keep the condition from coming back.

If corticosteroids don’t work, the doctor may recommend another medication. In some instances, a doctor may suggest that an intact patient consider circumcision as a treatment option.

Lichen sclerosis can create an unpleasant penis skin situation, so even after treatment a man should apply a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to assist restoring and rejuvenating the penis skin. This will be more easily accomplished if the chosen crème contains both a high end emollient (think shea butter) and a powerful hydrator (such as vitamin E). The penis skin will further benefit from a crème with a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid. Powerful antioxidants can fend off excess free radicals, which left unchecked can bring about significant oxidative damage to the skin.

Itchy Penis – Could It Be Caused by Lichen Sclerosis?

Now that the internet is so much a part of people's lives, men find it much easier to locate information on what may be causing a sore or itchy penis or other possible penis health issues. With this resource at his fingertips, a man can find a wealth of information on why his penis is dry or what steps he can take if he notices red spots adorning his member. However, there are some organ issues for which it may be more difficult to locate information: for example, lichen sclerosis.

What is lichen sclerosis?
Lichen sclerosis is a skin disorder which, while more common in women, does also occur in men. Although it can occur in other parts of the body, it is most often found in the genitals. In women, lichen sclerosis is usually located on the vulva; in men, the primary spot for lichen sclerosis is the head of the penis.

Lichen sclerosis is a fairly rare condition; it is also much more likely to occur in men who are intact than in men who are circumcised; most of the time the condition is concentrated on the foreskin.
The condition usually presents initially as small, almost unnoticeable white spots. As the condition progresses, these become bigger and the skin gets more tender, thin and crinkly. In this state, the skin is vulnerable and tears more easily, creating discoloration and bleeding, as well as resulting in an accumulation of scar tissue. If too much tissue develops, it can cause the foreskin to become tighter and less flexible, making retraction an issue and causing discomfort to the glans.

What causes it?
Doctors at this time know little about lichen sclerosis. It is thought to be an immune disorder, but whether the cause is genetic or due to an outside source such as bacteria is uncertain.
Lichen sclerosis is not contagious, so those who experience do not need to fear passing it on to others.

Symptoms
As might be guessed, an itchy penis is one of the common symptoms. The scratching that accompanies this often leads to the tearing of the skin and the creation of the scar tissue. As mentioned, it may cause the foreskin to tighten, which may cause some discomfort when the penis erects. In some cases, there may be some pain when urinating, as the scarring can narrow the urethra. Build-up of scar tissue also can result in the penis losing some of its sensitivity, affecting pleasure during sexual activity.

Treatment
Men who develop lichen sclerosis on the foreskin are often advised to get circumcised (although the circumcision may only be partial), in order to totally remove the area that has been infected. Circumcision is often recommended rather than drug therapy because the medications typically used (corticosteroids) are used at a high strength; because of their potency, they can cause more severe reactions in the very sensitive penis skin.

Many intact men are resistant to circumcision; in these cases, they should discuss any possible options with their doctors. After getting all of the facts, they can then look through the options and work with their doctors to determine the treatment route that they should take.

Fortunately, lichen sclerosis is a rare skin disorder; for those who do acquire it, that itchy penis can be relieved through the regular application of a nourishing penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). That desire to scratch will be alleviated if the chosen cream includes a powerful combination of moisturizing ingredients, such as shea butter (a highly regarded emollient) and vitamin E (one of nature's great hydrators). Since scarring can diminish penis sensitivity, a man with lichen sclerosis should make sure the cream also includes acetyl L carnitine, a neuroprotective ingredient that helps maintain proper sensation in the penis.