Dry patches on upper arms

Hi.  Due to a persistant vaginal tear, my gynocologist thinks I may have Lichen Sclerosis.  However, he has been less than cooperative when it comes to a biopsy.  So I have an appointment with my dermatologist in a few weeks for the problem (and plans to find a new gyno).  Lately, I've deveped some red, dry, round patches on my upper arms and wonder if that could be from the LS in place of just dry skin?  Also, my mom has Scleraderma, and I wondered if that could somehow be linked to LS?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Lichen sclerosus is an uncommon disease of unknown cause that results in white patches on the skin, which may cause scarring, preferentually on and around genital skin.However it can cause ivory white dry patches on non genital areas also.

Confirmation can be done only after skin biopsy. Lichen sclerosus remains an elusive disease with an uncertain relationship to scleroderma.There is  a controversy about the relationship between the two and nothing has been proven so far.

In my opinion you should get this rash evaluated from a dermatologist and get a skin biopsy done.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.

[lisa02889]

i am 32 i've had lichen sclerosis since i was 16 it is such a pain i feel like no doctor knows what they are doing if someone could tell me if there is someone who specialize in this because i can't do it anymore sex hurts i keep get uti and all this cream i have had enough i know there is no cure but there has to be less painful then this please help anyone......