Untreated vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) can have a significant negative impact on quality of life, increase the risk of neoplastic transformation, and lead to irreversible architectural changes. Early and appropriate management using ultrapotent topical steroids is crucial to alleviate symptoms and prevent long-term complications. This study aimed to characterize clinical signs and architectural changes of 364 VLS patients at a tertiary center.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPediatr Dermatol
November 2024
Effective communication in pediatric dermatology is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment, particularly in sensitive areas such as the anogenital region. Unfortunately, children and their families often use euphemisms or incorrect terms when referring to this area, and many adults lack knowledge of anogenital terminology. Pediatric dermatologists can play a unique role in educating children and their families on correct anatomical language, which enhances body awareness, empowers young patients, improves safety, and contributes to accurate medical assessments and treatment adherence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the content, delivery, and quality of medical information for vulvar lichen sclerosus on the social media platform TikTok.
Materials And Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Using the third-party data scraping tool Apify, TikTok videos tagged with #lichensclerosus or "lichen sclerosus" were identified and sorted by view count.
A patient with vulvar lichen sclerosus bravely shares her experiences living with this hidden, painful, life-altering and potentially stigmatizing vulvar condition. Complemented by a clinician's perspective on the complexities of managing such patients, this piece aims to illuminate the many psychosocial challenges posed by lichen sclerosus. Through this dual narrative, we seek to deepen providers' knowledge of the impact lichen sclerosus has on patients' lives and the nuanced care required to support them.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF