Conditions
Lichen Aureus
This is a chronic skin condition that results in yellowish or golden patches of pigmentation forming on the limbs. Although most common in children and young adults, it can strike at any age, and can occasionally spread beyond the limbs to the trunk of the body. Quite often the patches do not display any additional symptoms, but occasionally they can itch or cause discomfort. The symptoms can be treated by administering steroid creams to the affected area, but as the condition is benign, the risks associated with steroid use outweigh the potential benefits. Some success has been reported with ultraviolet light treatment, but normally the condition is left untreated.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I was diagnosed with Lichen Aureus back in March. I was told I had an extremely bad case of it. It was on my feet, legs, arms, and was spreading to my stomach and back. I was even noticing little red spots on my eyelids. I was told there was no cure. I searched many sites to at least find treatment. I went with the Vitamin C 500mg twice a day and Rutin 250mg split in half and taken twice a day. I started eating a ton of fruit, esp blueberries, seemed to help. Within 2 months most the spots were gone. It's been five months now and I still have several bruise like spots on my legs but no more bright red spots. I wanted to share this in hopes it will help others. Just remember if it does work for you it doesnt happen over night it took my spots 2 months to mostly fade so stick with it if you see improvements!
Hi, thank you for your comment.. I have red raised spots on my arms and tops of my legs, they kind of feel and look like goose bumps.. im not sure if yours were the same but il definately give your advice a go :) I also read to try using non soap cleansers, a pumice stone and moisturise twice a day. Try using onces containing urea, salicylic acid or alphahydroxy acids.
I was diagnosed with Lichen Aureus a few years ago and to be honest I was relieved with the diagnosis as I thought the rash was going to turn out to be a symptom of something more serious. My GP was aware that this was not an ordinary condition and so arranged for me to see a specialist. The specialist diagnosed Lichen Aureus straight away and was very reassuring. I was even photographed by my local hospital as it is so rare. I think it is worthwhile making the distinction between this and the more severe members of the 'Lichen' family, as this condition (in my experience) is mainly just cosmetic and the occasional itch.
There is a Lichen Society in the UK that offers help and advice to sufferers. You can find it on the internet. I am asufferer myself and find the whole situation very isolating as there seems to little awareness by GP's of the condition and Consultants take an extremely long time to confirm diagnosis by biopsy. Talk about suffering. It's a silent epidemic.
Does anyone know what causes irritable skin, which has caused the skin to turn brown on a large patch of the lower leg where it has been scratched?
hi my daughter who has only just turned 5years old has got lichen sclerosus on the bit of skin inbetween her vergina and bum i got to rub cream into it everynite does anyone know if there any operations that will get rid of it (when she older) as im told its only cream out there for her? and does any one know of any surport groups on here for ppl with lichen sclerosus thanks x plz any useful advice will be greatly appeciated x
My daughter is 9 now but also started with the same condition when she was about 4. I would also like to know if there is anymore help out there for Lichen Sclarosis as we have been using cream for many years now and the condition is still there and still quite painful for her at times. Thank you
I have it as an adult and have been told no cure just cream. However, my main worry after releiving symtoms was sex and fertility and we have successfully had a baby no problems. Sex is tricky sometimes but fine So Sorry for your daughter - tis darn sore!!!
I have dry itchy patches on my neck and shoulders and have had this for six months. If I was to apply perfume it would sting my neck and also gets itchy at times. When I touch it I feel that it has a rough surface. When I apply false tan I notice that some of the patches would be darker than the rest of the patch.
I have L.S which was fequently misdiagnosed as thrush I did use dermovate but find the best its a lot better now i've lost wieght and i'm carefyl not to use strong creams etc on my thighs or in baths etc...
I have a very bad case of lichen planus,even when drying my legs it takes of the skin and bleeds, my legs look like just on big blister, could you suggest a cure the hospital cannot.
I have just been to see my GP and she told me that what i have is known as Lichen Planus. It started getting really bad 10 years ago and then kind of cleared up but cmae back about 16 months ago after i had a baby. Its over my ankles, legs, arms and stomach. Not taking any medication for it at the moment. Its not very nice, and i do find myself itching all the time. Is there anything which will help get it better? I have heard that light therapy is good, Any truth in that? Is there anything which will get rid of it?
i have also got linchen planus i had it first 12 year ago. i had the light therapy every 2 days,i can tell you it did go away.i must tell you it is back but i had a lot of years with out it,so if you find out anything els new out please could you tell me.
I have Lichen Planus coming on for 4years. It started in my mouth just a white rough patch then covered most of the mouth,it was so bad it was checked for cancer.I used steriod mouth wash, it was painful to eat drink and clean teeth.I noticed my nails getting ridges then my back started to itch also the bottom of my legs and my feet, a few months back I could hardly walk with splits and cracks. In the last 2 months on the palms of my hands, the skin just dryed out crack split the itch it is unberable at times.I have had every treatment you can think of, some do mask it a bit.I had light treatment steroid creams but this just go on and on.Whether this is a kick back from chemo I had I do not know.
i have finally been diagnosed with l s after having vulval problems all my life. since a small child. at the age of 27 on a visit to my gynaecologist , after the birth of my 3 rd child, i was told that in the vulval area was that of a 55 year old. This made me feel very unhappy, but I was not hiver any explaination or treatment. I had to wait until the age of 54 to have a labial biopsy and a final diagnisis. I am now permenantly disfigured down below, with no desire for sex, I ve recently been put onto eumovate after referal to yet another consultant, but have noticed this contains alcohol so what the hell is going on. anyway, have white prtch on tongue which looks whiter when stretched. as my mother died from tongue cancar i mentioned it to g p who told me that it was nothing to worry about.!!! I think doctors, well g p's anyway, need to learn a whole lot more about l.s
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here