Researchers demonstrate the effectiveness of using regenerative medicine to heal lesions of Lichen Sclerosus, known previously as a relatively untreatable dermatological condition on the genital area.
What is Lichen Sclerosus?
Lichen Sclerosus, a commonly occurring skin condition of the genital area, is the formation of characteristic white patches that are incredibly itchy. These patches, once formed, can cause pain and bleeding when irritated by scratching. This condition is extremely troublesome to individuals and can result in lowered self-esteem. Due to their position in the genital area (around the end of the penis in males and the opening of the vagina and anus in women) they are uncomfortable and annoying. Historically, there has been no treatment for these patches, though the symptoms can be controlled by the use of steroid cream.
What Was Studied?
Researchers Casabona, et al. published a study in the medical journal International Nephrology and Urology in 2017 showing the effect of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments to treat Lichen Sclerosus in the penile region. The study population consisted of forty-five patients who all were required to stop the use of steroid creams well before the platelet-rich plasma injection treatments to avoid bias.
The Results
The researchers reported that for these patients, who were previously unable to heal the itchy white patches on their genital area, the platelet-rich plasma treatments had successfully healed their lesions with little to no return. These patients did not need to resume taking steroid cream treatment after the platelet-rich plasma injections, as the lesions had ealed sufficiently to not have any symptoms.
The results seen in these patients add to the impressive healing properties that regenerative medical treatments such as PRP have brought to the dermatology silo of medicine.
