Vulvar lichen sclerosus and vitiligo: Overlap and clinical features
Ilhan Esse, Kathryn Hinchee Rodriguez, Alexa Kassels, Jessica Shiu, Christina N. Kraus
Abstract
To the Editor: Lichen sclerosus (LS) and vitiligo are both chronic inflammatory dermatoses, with an autoimmune pathogenesis that can present with depigmentation.1 LS has a predilection for the vulva and perianal area, and vitiligo frequently involves the genitalia.1 These conditions may overlap, with some nomenclature referring to a “vitiligoid” LS.2 Extragenital vitiligo is common in LS. Thus, it is likely anogenital vitiligo also co-occurs with LS.1 Differentiating vulvar LS (VLS) from vulvar vitiligo (VV) is crucial for initiating treatment of VLS with topical steroids to prevent long-term outcomes, including architectural changes and squamous cell carcinoma.