The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Robin (United States) on 05/05/2020
★★★★★
Hi All, want to share my story so others may benefit from my struggles.
I had LS for more than 10 maybe 15 years. Saw my gynecologist (no idea of what it was); saw my skin doctor who did help and I can't remember what the ointment was but could only use it for a short amount of time, 2-3 times per week for a limited amount of time. This did take the itching away but the ointment was not healthy to take every. single. day. Which is what I needed to eliminate the itching.
Sooooo, I quit using it and suffered, for years. I tried all the diets, no sugar for more than 5 years, no gluten which I'm still off both these. Sometimes, no sugar/gluten would help but then it would flare up and no help again. I had the paper slits on both sides of my labia, one side was always worse than the other. The itching was INTENSE! Then the pain from the slits or the itching too much would be intense...AARGH.
Ok, so fast forward to today, errr well, 2 months ago. I read about the carnivore diet many years ago and this was one I had never tried. 2 months ago, I tried it...100%. Amazed me. 3 days after starting the carnivore diet, 100%, the itching stopped and has never returned. I still have the paper slits scars but there is no, opps repeat here, NO itching! None, zero, ziltch! And, it's been over 2 months with me being on the carnivore diet with only one minor cheat (hot herbal tea, 2 cups, with 2 hours inbetween) terrible reaction but still...NO itching. The diet is easy but greasy. No food craving...none.
The itching has never returned. My eczema rashes are nearly gone, just discolored skin. They have flared up during this 2 months but I associate that with loss of fat. I've lost 22 #'s and feel great. NO ITCHING! Heaven. I truly hope this helps someone.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Taz (Canada) on 04/06/2023
Carnivore diet is the best diet. Our military unit tried 3 different diets one year to learn which diet was best for deployment. We divided our unit into 3, and each was given a strict selected diet for 3 months. After which we were all evaluated mentally, physically, had scans, blood work, urine and fecal testing. You name it we had it done. Turns out after the 9 months after all 3 groups had been on all 3 diets for 3 months, the results were tabulated and it was proven that the majority of health benefits, recovery, strength and endurance were on the carni diet. We exhibited better recovery, better injury repair, better energy, more strength, and better mental outlook. As you mentioned, we had a team member with a chronic sore shoulder, and another with chronic hip issues. When each of these members was on the high protein or carni diet, their pains went away. Actually both had returning pain on the vegetarian diet. Since then, our deployment meals have changed. We take a lot of dehydrated beef and turkey now. A lot of our meals have been changed for more protein and fats and less carbs.
LS and Hypothyroidism Connection
Posted by Wendy (Canada) on 05/27/2014
Hello everyone.....I am sorry that a lot of you are suffering with LS!
I've had LS for at least 7 years now....diagnosed for 5 years.(I am 55) I have tried so many lotions, potions, treatments, etc....I've been reading your posts and will try some of these! I eat organically, eat pasture fed meat and eggs, drink Reverse Osmosis water and exercise.I eat healthy. I am going to try the gluten free diet and see if that helps. I take all kinds of vitamins, etc...a lot of these were mentioned in your posts. I have been using steroid cream....but it has stopped working about 10 months ago....I hated using it anyways......but kept me from going mad. I was using organic, bio-identical progesterone cream..(Natpro).....I didn't think the cream was working, and thought maybe that I didn't use a high enough dosage, but after discontinuing the cream my LS became much worse. I was also under a lot of stress since about that time...so I'm not sure if this is a coincidence or not. I belong to an online support group and some of the women on there say they have had remarkable success using concentrated cannabis oil (topically). Makes one think. I know my doctor would never give me a prescription for it. :( They rarely give people here prescriptions for medical cannabis...let alone the oil. Makes one want to break the law! A lot of the LS treatments are just that.....treating the horrible symptoms that we get....never getting at the cause. It definitely has something to do with hormonal imbalance. Almost everyone that has LS has hypothyroidism...and I think the ones that don't have hypothyroidism just haven't been diagnosed with it yet. It makes me think that maybe we should be finding something that cures hypothyroidism which in turn would cure the LS. I am going to start researching into the thyroid issue. I've been rather down about my LS lately. I hate the horrible itching, the pain, the atrophy.....and especially how it effects my sex life and relationship with my husband. I usually try to be positive and up beat about things......but lately it's been bad.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Emily (Los Angeles, Ca) on 10/08/2014
★★★★★
All of my Lichen Sclerosus symptoms disappeared within about a week of starting the raw food diet + supplement. I had horrible LS symptoms for 2.5 years and was 12 doctors before being diagnosed. I also have contact dermatitis (skin allergies) and was prone to yeast infections, both of which made it even more inflamed. Anyway, after trying tons of home remedies and not wanting to be on steroids long term I decided to focus on my immune system.
So, I started taking Culturelle and eating a 90% raw food diet (MOSTLY vegetables and SOME fruits). I like to blend them up so the sweetness of the fruit makes it more enjoyable to eat a lot of greens. I recommend watching documentaries like "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" and "Food Matters" to kick start your new diet. Supplements I take are liquid B Complex, Zinc, Fish Oil, and a did a 2 week Essiac tonic detox which is easy and inexpensive. YOUR BODY IS ABLE TO CURE ANY DISEASE OR ILLNESS IF YOU PROVIDE IT WITH THE RIGHT FOODS. You should avoid sugar and minimize animal products (milk, eggs, meat). Less than 6% of Doctors get any nutritional education in school so don't listen to them if they tell you you don't need to make dietary changes like they told me.
Essiac Tea
Posted by Daisy (Ewa Beach, Hi) on 11/10/2012
★★★★★
I had Lichen Sclerosus and was misdiagnosed for a year. I got it under control by steroid creams but it was not gone. For a reason I don't need to go into, I bought someone a detox liquid called Essaic Tonic Tea (nonalcohol) and they didn't want it. So not to waste my money, I used the whole bottle and was cured! I told my friend with Lupus and she takes it and it is making her feel better. It is a miracle the way this stuff works. Its all natural and won't hurt you. I don't sell it, you have to go to a natual health food store and buy the nonalcohol formula.
Vitamin E, Lavender Oil
Posted by Thankful (Trinidad) on 03/29/2016
★★★★★
I swear I used lavender oil vitamin e, witch hazel and castor oil and I am as free as a bird from lichen sclerosis after reading your remedies. I was suffering from it for a year and prayed for a solution and found it on your page. Thanks a million for everything I can live a better life without the itching. That was one of the Worst things ever Thanks😀
Eliminating Wheat
Posted by Suzzie (Portland, Oregon) on 03/21/2013
★★★★★
Eating Wheat was what was causing my Lichen Sclerosus symptoms. The symptoms I had was shrinking labia minor, horrible drive me crazy itching of my clitoris and the area to the entrance to my vagina was not supple at all and was painfully tight. When I quit eating wheat, the itching completely stopped after about a week.
(It may take longer for someone else to experience total relief, as the effects of wheat can stay in the body for 6 months) After a month off Wheat, the tissue in my labia minor has started to plump up again and the entrance to my vagina is now supple and stretches like it should. No more pain!!! Halleluiah!
I encourage everyone to read the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis MD. Modern Wheat has an inflammatory effect on the body, whether you feel the symptoms or not. There is a myriad of diseases that disappear when wheat is eliminated from the diet. Modern Wheat has more in it than just the gluten that causes allergies and doctors do not test for these. Even whole wheat bread (thought to be healthier than white bread) will raise your blood sugar higher than eating a candy bar! There is an episode of Dr. Oz where they showed this is true. This is true even if the bread is made from organic wheat.
To add to the inflammatory effect on the body of Wheat, here in the United States, 90% of the wheat (including corn, soy and canola) produced is "RoundUp Ready". (Only a few years ago that number was 60%) It has roundup poison molecule inserted into the grain so the fields can be sprayed to kill only the weeds. Then the whole field is sprayed with RoundUp, which is absorbed into the crop adding more poison which is later ingested by animals and people. In the US they do not have to label any food that is GM. Every time it goes to vote the industry uses scare tactics about the cost of food going up as a result of new labeling laws. This is simply not true. Many grocery prices have doubled in the past 5 years regardless. You can't put a price on our health, because the alternative is costly for sure! * * * I believe we are already seeing the health consequences from these genetically modified foods, but we can't yet prove it is due to them. I think we are going to see more illnesses that used to be rare, and see new unexplained illnesses due to GM RoundUp ready foods.
Eliminating Wheat
Posted by Effingham (USA) on 09/03/2013
Well, it is 2013... Just wanted to let everyone know, I have managed this disease very well with the "Curezone". After careful research and self experiments... I must agree with Suzzie from Oregon. I have read Wheat Belly, but realized this before the release of the book. Found out that eating GMO chips (corn) would send my LS through the roof. I also noticed other products - milk, breads.. They all have in common the GMO.. Round up toxified stuff. I made an honest effort to stop all these and my symptoms clear up. I rarely use the curezone, unless I eat these poisonous foods. Check out all the research on "hyperimmune" and "autoimmune" also "genetic transfer" of the altered DNA in GMO's.. Which could cause permanent changes in our DNA in turn which constantly triggers above responses. Stop the insanity of this food. Why is it that other countries outlaw it but not the USA. This has to be the culprit like the "immune" issues the Bee's are presenting with... Food for thought. Peace.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Cari (Ca) on 03/26/2016
★★★★★
I use colloidal silver gel for lichen sclerosis. Helps immediately.
Monolaurin
Posted by Lynn (Seattle, Wa) on 02/07/2015
I'm wondering if anyone has explored the use of Monolaurin for lichen sclerosis? InspiredNutrition.com indicates it is helpful with yeast, infections, MRSA (even) as well as Herpes and more. Would you mind letting me know your thoughts? thank you
Vitamin E, Lavender Oil
Posted by Ajm (Alabama) on 12/22/2013
★★★★★
Lichen Sclerosus: Based on some of the suggestions on this site, I began using vitamin E oil and certified pure therapeutic grade Lavender oil on the affected area and all symptoms have stopped. Lavender oil has analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, to name a few. I have had LS since puberty but was misdiagnosed until 3 years ago. No cure and steroids are a no-go for me so management is my focus. Symptoms vary based on diet, exercise, and hormones, though this combo seems to be working well so far. I may try the purple emu oil in the future or possibly make an essential oil combination using lavender, melaleuca (tea tree), and oregano. Thanks to the makers of this site! It helps a lot!
Witch Hazel
Posted by Georgina (Tolmie, Victoria, Australia) on 03/04/2013
★★★★★
I don't know about the Essiac Tea but I recently read on a Lichen Sclerosa Forum about Witch Hazel. The writer had felt that in someway her urine was to blame for her symptoms. I had had some similar thoughts so decided to follow her advice.
For the past week I have been drying myself, after having a pee, with a tissue, and then wiping myself with a tissue with some Witch Hazel on it. The effect has been quite dramatic. No more itching or soreness at all.
Is it possible, I wonder, that there is some toxic reason for the urine to affect the vulva so badly. All one gets from the medical profession is that Lichen Sclerosa is believed to be an auto-immune system breakdown. That seems to be their answer for anything they don't have an answer for.
In closing I should say that I don't believe my Lichen Sclerosa to be a really bad version of the complaint although I have had it for the past ten years. If I can stop using the Diprosone Ointment by using Witch Hazel I shall be well pleased.
Vitamin D3
Posted by Nancy Kb (Asheville, Nc) on 01/30/2018
★★★★★
Castor oil is wonderful and soothing and aids skin healing.... BUT the CAUSE Of LS is a VITAMIN D deficiency which my integrative medicine MD, who is also a cardiologist, luckily knew all about (but not the gynecologist, go figure).
Take LOTS Of Vitamin D3 and also a small amount of Vitamin K2 to complement it, and the other cofactors for D which include magnesium, Omega-3s, and boron.
Your Vitamin D levels must get up to about 60-80 ng/dl. but not over 90 ng/dl. I was out of pain within 2 days of taking chewable Vitamin D3 3 X a day 5,000 units each. Still need to keep on top of it all. And now also include MSM, sulfur, another mneral we really need. ALSO Colloidal silver works to heal skin and other soft tissues.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Elisa (Utah) on 06/06/2016
★★★★☆
For lichen sclerosis: I'm happy to see someone else on here trying colloidal silver gel. I have been using this also and it has helped a lot.
Dietary Changes, Essential Oils
Posted by Cindy (Newberry Fl) on 03/13/2016
★★★★☆
I started with Lichen Sclerosis at 56 years old in 2014 with a spot on my breast and white patches starting on the underneath side. This diagnose came shortly after I fell and ended up with a par fracture and bulging disks in my back. I used whatever cream they had giving me along with eating 80/20 alkaline. I completely healed that area and it hasn't come back to this day and it's 2016.
Over the holidays I splurged eating too much of the good stuff and started with it in the vulva area. At first I thought I just scratched myself while wiping. I started getting worse in the next three weeks. Sleepless nights and the scratching and rubbing was getting out of control. I finally called the gyno. I couldn't get in until Monday so that meant go the whole weekend. I faithfully took me essential oils and immediately got off everything that had sugar in it. I was in and out of the tub with a few inches of water and baking soda at least 25 times or more to get relief.
I had called the doctor on call that Saturday morning she told me to use desitin. It helped a little along with the bath. I also took some Benedryl. I finally got a mirror out and looked down there. I knew right away the Lichen Sclerosis had got me. Saw the gyno next day. She wrote the script for a steroid. When I went to pick it up they wanted 250.00 I just about started crying. I have been out of work for almost two years from that fall.
Little did I know at the time this was in my favor. When I looked up the Lichen Sclerosis I read terrible things about what the steroid cream does to you. There was no way I would use that down there. That stuff shouldn't be allowed. What the doctors should do is hook up with a homeopathic doctor and get educated. I couldn't get it so I went home looked up lichen sclerosis vs alkaline and lichen sclerosis vs essential oils. I get them from a reputable company. Find yourself a health coach that knows how to use them.
I stopped all the sugar, flours, fruits and vegetables high in sugar. (No carrot-sweet potato-potato-rice etc.). When I cheat (like have a few organic gmo free chips) I know it because my lichen sclerosis acts up again. I also used a product called emu oil-then switch to emuaid. They helped a lot. I'm running out of emuaid so someone told me her oncologist told her to tell me to use bag balm.
I am using that now. I also got a squirt bottle and rinse every time I pee with water high in PH/alkaline water. Tap water makes it sting. I no longer have any splitting and cracking and my color is back. I barely have any scarring left. You must take care of leaky gut to get this to clear.
Oh by the way I've already been able to have sex again. I am on the road to recovery and feeling better than I have in many years and I've lost some weight and inches too. I also found stress can also add to this problem. From my experience so far I'm finding for me that changing my eating habits is the way to heal and get past this lichen sclerosis.
Essiac Tea, Homeopathy
Posted by Sher (Nj) on 01/23/2014
★★★★★
My condition was self diagnosed. I have had LS for several years now and non of the doctors could figure out what it was. Finally my condition got worse and started researching the symptoms and couple of months ago I figured what I had. I came across this site to find cure for this and I took Daisy's advice and ordered some Essiac Tea to cure it internally and used Perrin's blend for external use. It's been almost a month and I am feeling much better. The white patches have almost disappeared just 2 small areas to be treated. Also I've heard that this could be due to some emotional trauma and shame so I am sending myself some luv every morning and night. Essentially I am doing three prone healing - internal, external and emotional. I am optimistic that I am getting better and better everyday. I will keep you posted.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Robin (MI) on 04/25/2023
It is not a meat free diet but a plant free diet. If it grows on a plant, I don't eat it and if it grows on a tree, I don't eat it. Seafood is good, wild caught fish and all kinds of meat is good. Carnivore diet was a big learning curve for me. The LS disappeared within 3 days of starting. Eating organ meats is where a lot of the minerals and vitamins are. Beef liver, heart etc. I learned that ruminants are the best for me. Single stomach animals not so good and can't explain but did not feel the greatest after eating chicken or pork. I lost 50 lbs. in about 6 months without trying to lose weight. I feel the best I've felt in many years. This is not for everyone. We are all so different and some can handle the toxins plants produce better than others. I have an allergy to dairy which causes my nose to run. I have learned alot about myself and what my body can and does tolerate by eating this way. Best to You!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Pyper (FL) on 04/01/2023
★★★★★
Robin, I've also been eating Carnivore and I can attest 100% that it does work. IF I go off though (like I did 3 days ago and had 2 glasses of dry red wine - I had an almost immediate terrible reaction, and became inflamed, in pain, and horrible itching. Many people with various autoimmune problems have tried Carnivore and had a lot of success. Basically, you are eating whole, one ingredient foods with none of the garbage that is put into processed foods. There are lots of support/community groups for those who wish to eat Carnivore - there are also three main types of Carnivore. 1) Carnivore where people try to eat as close to zero total carbs per day. 2) Ketovore - this is kind of a combination of the ketogenic diet with Carnivore (keeping carbs under 10 total carbs per day and eating whole foods) - it's more lenient than Carnivore. 3) The Lion Diet (also zero carb) but more strict. Lion Diet is nothing but water, and ruminant meats such as Beef, Bison, Lamb, Goat. I follow Carnivore. I DO allow spices (unless they have sugar/gluton/corn/rice in them) I make my own spice mixes whenever I can if I can't find what I want pre-made. I also discovered from my last flare up - I can NEVER have wine, peanut butter (even sugar-free organic) - and whey protein powder is still in question. Also, after my last flare up- in an effort to quickly calm things down, I fasted for 24 hrs (water only) I would like to incorporate longer fasts into this way of eating too - as occasional fasting can bring a lot of healing according to the research I've done. If anyone wants to try this food protocol - I would suggest using a food diary so that you can list any reactions if you have them.
MMS
Posted by Rita Jean (Texas) on 02/11/2018
★★★★★
Researched for over a year as to the cause of LS. Tried all of the noted protocols on the web. What helped was Perrin Naturals and also ozonated extra virgin olive oil. These worked for different phases of the out breaks. Ended up going back to my old faithful calendula ointment and witch hazel for immediate relief of the itching and burning. Breaks outs always appeared after eating acidic foods. When I researched the bottled water I was using, the test results also showed acidic. Changed to a much higher PH bottled water and continued my calendula and witch hazel protocol. Still searching for the cause is when I found MMS. Drank MMS for 8 days and also did the MMS sitz baths for 8 days. No more lesions, itching, cuts and burning. It took a long time to find this cure for me but thought I would share it as it may help others.
MMS (Miracle Mineral Supplement) - I started with one drop for a couple of days and moved up to 2 drops. With the sitz bath I used 5 drops MMS and soaked for 20 minutes in hot water. By the eight day I wasn't using and witch hazel for the itching and calendula ointment.
Lichen Sclerosus Triggers
Posted by Jodi (Maine) on 04/29/2016
My (vaginal) LS completely went away for over 15 yrs. Clobetasol, then Aubrey's organic aloe gel (the ONLY one that won't burn, even compared to drinkable stuff), coconut oil, etc. So, I'm reading about LS all over again and the one thing I never see is any awareness about one's mental/psychological state.
My mentor acupuncturist's first comment 15 yrs ago was "this sounds like a boundary issue to me..." Why is the skin tightening, atrophying?? I was in a yucky relationship... keep him out, down there!!
I am currently dealing with boundary issues in my life and hello LS.....I am offering that, for some, straightening out there life and head may be part of the cure. I definitely believe we can cure ourselves of this. I say something you perceive as embarrassing and your skin turns RED!! The mind affecting the body....As part of your healing you may want to be kind to yourself and shift what you can in a positive direction.
I am working on a cream with Chinese herbs for a natural vaginal alternative.
Emu Oil, Red Clover
Posted by Jillery (Rawlly, Nc) on 01/02/2016 86 posts
★★★★☆
I began having 'cranky crotch' about 4 years ago. I went to about 6 doctors to find out what 'the dry patch' was outside my vag was as well as 'the hot spot' back near by butt was. I also had splitting skin near the bends of my legs, as well as something that looked like diaper rash. All of these issues were not concurrent but pretty much ongoing and varied. I see from reading about LS that break outs can be very different from one person to another. I also feel my vagina is smaller in the sense that some positions cause discomfort. I am 60 and highly sexual so LS is a bit of a problem to say the least. I finally got sent to a 7th doctor (gyno specialist) and had biopsies done. LS!
I find that something will work for a week or two and then my body does not use it as well as it had earlier. That might be just 'me' specific, I am not sure.
But so far I have found using Emu oil is the best oil thus far. I got mine at Vitamin Shoppe for about $20 for 4 oz. I do put coconut oil in me internally, esp as lube.
Itching is an issue esp on my mound area. Today I tried Oblas oil gently dabbed on and wiped off took care of that... TODAY.
I have also used some organic non hexene Castor oil topically and that has helped too, but so far the Emu seems to seep into my skin the best of all.
I take Red Clover pills- 3 in the am and 3 in the pm. That has seemed to help the area calm down A LOT. I have also ordered Red Clover ointment. Pricey at about $22 for a few ounces. I haven't received it yet, but I am thinking if the Red Clover is helpful internally it will be soothing externally too.
Here is a good yahoo blog to check out. A lot of the folks use traditional doctor stuff but there are also a lot of alternative applications.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LichenSclerosis/info
It is a good community with much helpful information.
I hope this helps a few folks out. Best wishes!!
Jillery
CoQ10
Posted by Ellie (Kansas City, Mo) on 08/17/2015
★★★★★
Recently diagnosed. Location in anal area, on chest, stomach, and legs. Oh holy night the Chronic anal itching during day is terrible!!! The SEVERE, wake me up, loss of sleep, night itch... makes me want to scream into my pillow and cry. Wait I have done that!!!! Punctured a COQ10 softgel and placed directly on anal affected area at 7:00 a.m. (Warning!!!! ' it Burned like hell but I felt instant itch relief. Burning sensation lasted 10 minutes) Just for testing purposes, I placed it again at 5:00 (still burned but way less this time) It is now 9:19, not one time did I have to sneak off into the bathroom at work to scratch and I have been laying in bed for over an hour without a hint of an itch. Crossing fingers (haven't had a solid night's sleep in 14 months & I hope this allows me to sleep through the night)!
