Young Girl with Lichen Sclerosus Successfully Treated with Homeopathy

A 9-year-old female patient, Miss A.P. (Patient ID: 50269), visited Life Force’s Malleswaram clinic on 3rd Jan 2023 to get her skin condition treated. She was suffering from lichen planus sclerosus. Mild pricking pain, dryness, itching in the vulva region, hypopigmented patch over the vulva. There was no significant genetic disposition for them, except the paternal grandmother has some skin disease. She was under ayurvedic treatment where details were not shared.

Lichen sclerosus is a long-term skin condition that most commonly affects the genital and anal areas. It causes the skin to become thin, white, and often fragile. This condition can lead to significant discomfort, itching, and pain, particularly during sexual activity or when urinating. The exact cause remains unclear, but it is believed to involve an autoimmune reaction, where the body’s immune system attacks healthy skin cells. Hormonal changes, especially in postmenopausal women, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors may also play a role.

Physical generals:

She is having a mixed diet where she likes milk and chocolates more. Sleep is good, and bowel movements are satisfactory. Her thirst is very low.

Family History and Background:

She is the only child who is studying in 1st grade. The father is a businessman, and the mother is a housewife.

Mental generals:

From observations, she was very loquacious, clingy, and hyperactive. She shares a very cordial relationship with her parents.

After studying her detailed case history, she was prescribed constitutional medicines along with researched medicines by Dr. Shah.

Homeopathy is a form of medicine based on treating like with like, where highly diluted substances are used to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Lichen planus sclerosus (LPS) homeopathy aims to address the condition''s underlying causes, such as immune system imbalance, skin inflammation, and individual sensitivities.

The approach to treating LPS with homeopathy involves addressing both the symptoms and the underlying emotional or psychological factors contributing to the condition. Homeopaths believe that each person is unique, and thus treatment should be tailored to their specific emotional, mental, and physical state.

Follow-ups:

When she came for the first follow-up on March 13th, 2023, she was feeling better; the hypopigmented spot was reduced, a slight blackish discoloration was seen, and burning was reduced. The itching was still there.

In the second follow-up on 7.5.23, she was further better, with hypopigmented spots over the labia minora reduced, but hypopigmentation was seen in the labia majora with severe itching at night and scratched until it bled. The skin was quite sensitive and dry with cracks.

On June 14th, 2023, the patient was feeling better; hypopigmented spots over the labia minora were better; hypopigmentation in the labia majora was stable; and itching continued, but the intensity of itching was less.

After consecutive and meticulous follow-ups on Dec 12, 2024, the patient was 80% better, with no spread, dryness, or itching.

The patient’s family thanked Dr. Shah and the entire team for the successful treatment within a short period, and he started believing firmly in homeopathy.

Conclusion:

In homeopathy, the treatment of lichen planus sclerosis aims to address both the symptoms and the underlying sensitivities that trigger the condition. When steroids are being used to manage the symptoms, homeopathic remedies can be complementary to help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, control dry and sensitive skin in intimate areas, and address the root causes of the symptoms without giving any side effects.

• Case study written by Dr Remya Nambiar, associate doctor to Rajesh Shah, MD (Hom)