What Are The Best Alternatives To Steroid Cream For Lichen Sclerosus?

Lichen Sclerosus (LS) is a non-contagious skin condition that affects the skin of the genitals. It appears as white spots and results in itching, burning pain, and scarring. There is no known cause, but there are several contributing factors, like an overactive immune system, previous skin injuries, low oestrogen and genetics.

Women with LS often find getting a diagnosis hard, and misinformation can cause stigmas to be attached to the condition. Treatment options can feel limited, and most women with LS will have been suggested using the best steroid cream for Lichen Sclerosus, or for some, topical corticosteroids can help reduce symptoms. However, many find these prescriptions ineffective or find that they come with unwanted side effects.

Living with lichen sclerosus can be an ongoing challenge. The persistent itching, discomfort, and worry about flare-ups can take a toll. If you’ve tried various treatments with limited success, you’re not alone. Many individuals with LS yearn for a reliable, long-term solution.

While a complete cure is still elusive, there’s good news: advancements in treatment offer hope for significant relief and improved quality of life. This blog will delve into various lichen sclerosus remedies, including the best alternatives to steroid cream, so you can make informed choices about your journey to managing LS.

Steroid Cream For Lichen Sclerosus Treatment

The most common Lichen Sclerosus treatment doctors prescribe are topical creams (similar to those used when treating conditions like thrush), but before we look at alternatives, let’s look at what steroid cream for Lichen Sclerosus is and what it does.

Doctors prescribe steroid creams to apply to the skin to reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation. The ointments can come in creams, lotions, and gels. While they can provide short-term relief, your body can often build up immunity to them, reducing their effectiveness. This especially seems to be the case with people suffering from LS.

Possible side effects of steroid creams on the skin include thinning skin, stretch marks, bruising, dilated blood vessels, acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis. The most common concern for LS sufferers is that using steroid creams could aggravate an already inflamed area further, resulting in even more discomfort.

Exploring Alternative Medicines to Steroid Cream

If you’ve tried a steroid cream for Lichen Sclerosus and wanted to find an alternative, then there are other Lichen Sclerosus remedies on offer, such as:

Calcineurin Inhibitors 

Calcineurin Inhibitors (such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus) are a non-steroid treatment for Lichen Sclerosus. Immunosuppressant medication, such as this one, works by improving immune system function. Because LS is thought to be attributed to an overactive immune system, creams such as this are designed to help calm your immune system and thus reduce inflammation and itching associated with LS.

As with all medication, though, there are possible side effects, such as stinging and burning. Some studies have even suggested a link between calcineurin Inhibitors and cancer, although there is not enough scientific data to confirm this. You can read more about this here.

Retinoids (tretinoin) 

Retinoids are a less commonly used LS treatment that can provide relief against the most common LS symptoms, itching and burning. They can also improve skin texture and potentially reduce scarring. Retinoids are ointments with high levels of vitamin A, which have been proven to help LS. However, like the Calcineurin Inhibitors mentioned above, they have side effects, including further skin irritation and burning.

Lidocaine 5% 

Lidocaine 5% is similar to general anaesthetics and can offer relief by numbing the skin for a few hours. It will not treat the overall symptoms but can offer short-term relief and can be applied inside the vagina and on the vulva. Note: this alternative to steroids requires your doctor to prescribe it. Side effects can include redness, stinging, and potential swelling, with reports of reported headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Non-Invasive Treatments For LS

If you’re seeking a natural, non-surgical alternative to steroid creams for Lichen Sclerosus, the O-Shot might be the answer. This innovative treatment harnesses the power of your own blood’s platelets, which are packed with growth factors, to stimulate healing and tissue regeneration in the vaginal area.

The O-Shot has shown promising results in reducing inflammation, improving skin elasticity, and providing lasting relief from the frustrating symptoms of LS.

The O-Shot’s magic lies within the ‘Platelet Rich Plasma’ (PRP), which is derived from your blood. During your appointment, your clinician will take a sample of your blood, which is then spun at a high frequency in a centrifuge to isolate the plasma, which becomes the serum used in your treatment.

Once your doctor has this, they will inject it into the treatment area. It works by stimulating the body’s stem cells to produce new tissue, including collagen and adipose (fatty) tissue, nerve endings and blood vessels. Treatment areas, such as vaginal tissue, become rejuvenated and thicker, and the sensitivity can be heightened by increased blood flow.

It’s important to note that there is no definitive cure for Lichen Sclerosus, and sadly, the condition can affect you for your entire life. However, an effective treatment like the O-Shot can feel like a cure because it keeps symptoms at bay for prolonged periods of time.You can read about just one of our patient success stories here.

For Sam, who battled Lichen Sclerosus for over three decades, finding a long-term solution felt impossible. Steroid creams and even surgery provided only temporary relief. But the O-Shot changed everything. Sam’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the O-Shot, and you can read it here.

Lifestyle Changes To Manage LS

Whatever treatment you choose to manage your LS symptoms, the results can be enhanced by making some super simple lifestyle changes. 

• Swaps: Swap soap for Aqueous cream or an emollient cream – this can reduce further aggravation significantly.

• Diet: An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that limits processed foods and sugars.
• Supplements: Taking vitamin E, D, and other supplements has potential benefits, but it is always wise to speak to your doctor before starting any supplements.
• Topical Treatments: If your steroid cream for Lichen Sclerosus is losing its effectiveness, you could try soothing natural options such as aloe vera gel, coconut oil, or apple cider vinegar. However, it’s important to note these are not medically recognised treatments – there’s anecdotal evidence that suggests improvement, but many find it makes no difference. 
• Stress Management: There is a link between stress and LS flare-ups, so you should try taking some time to relax, such as doing yoga, gentle exercise, or practising mindfulness.

Finding The Right Treatment For Your LS

If you’ve been using topical treatments, you’ll likely know that even the best steroid cream for Lichen Sclerosus can cause side effects and isn’t always effective. And while other treatments can help manage the symptoms, a cure is still a way off.

Our patients have been so impressed with the O-Shot that many say that there is nothing available that offers the same consistency and reliability in managing symptoms and flare-ups. This non-steroid treatment for Lichen Sclerosus offers long-term relief, and when you combine it alongside simple lifestyle changes, you could help keep the unbearable itching at bay for even longer.

If you’d like to discuss your condition and find out if the O-Shot is the right treatment for your LS, we’d be delighted to welcome you to our clinic in Greenhithe, Kent (just 22 minutes away by train from St. Pancras, London).

Elite Aesthetics is run by Dr Shirin, who specialises in intimate health issues and has over 20 years of experience, including several years as a practising GP. 

You can contact us either by calling 01322 381 205, emailing info@elite-aesthetics.co.uk or WhatsApp us.