Lichen sclerosis is an uncommon skin condition which usually develops in the genital or anal areas.
However, it can even infect your torso, upper arms, andbreasts.
This health condition usually occurs in adult women after menopause.
Though, it is possible that other people can have lichen sclerosus.
This condition can take place due to hormonal issues, an infection, genes, or the combination of all these together.
There is no proper cure for lichen sclerosis, but a few home remedies can minimize your symptoms.
In this article, you will get to learn about some of the best essential oils for lichen sclerosis. [1]
What is Lichen Sclerosus?
Lichen sclerosus is a quite rare condition that generates, white, patchy skin which is thinner than the usual.
It can affect your skin anywhere on the body.
However, mostly it involves the skin of the vulva, foreskin of the anus or skin around the penis.
Anyone can be affected by lichen sclerosus, but mostly postmenopausal women are at higher risk.
Sometimes, the lichen sclerosus heals on its own, and no treatment is required.
Symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus:
The mild cases of lichen sclerosus have no significant signs or symptoms, though there are a few basic signs that you should watch out.
The lichen sclerosis symptoms include:
- Severe Itching
- Pain or Discomfort
- Smooth white marks on your skin
- Wrinkled or blotchy patches
- Easy tearing or bruising
- In extreme cases, blistering, bleeding, or ulcerated lesions
Causes of Lichen Sclerosus:
The exact cause of lichen sclerosus to occur is unknown.
- An imbalance of hormones or overactive immune system can contribute as the cause of lichen sclerosus.
- Previous skin damage at a specific site on the skin may raise the probability of lichen sclerosus at that spot.
- It mostly happens in postmenopausal women, but it can also occur in men and children.
- In women, the lichen sclerosus often occurs in the vulva. In men, the uncircumcised males are at high risk as the condition usually affects the foreskin. [2]
Essential Oils for Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosis can be quite a painful ailment to go through, but you can reduce its symptoms and pain to some extent by using the essential oils.
Discover some of the effective oils to get some relief from this skin condition.
1. Calendula Oil
If you are suffering from lichen sclerosus and don’t prefer to take medicine for it, then you can opt for a natural solution to heal it.
By using the essential oil of calendula, you can get some relaxation as it is a beneficial oil for treating lichen sclerosus.
The Calendula is a plant that has been utilized for hundreds of years for ornamental purposes as well as culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal reasons.
The main elements of calendula oil are triterpene alcohol, flavonoids and saponosene and linoleic acid which is available in it in great concentrations.
The flavonoids in this essential oil have anti-inflammatory properties.
The antiseptic and antimicrobial action of the calendula essential oil assists in speeding up to heal wounds and minor cuts and helps in improving the symptoms of lichen sclerosus.
Therefore, don’t worry and use this oil to make your health condition better.
2. Castor Oil
This is yet another essential oil which is now used by many people for availing from its various benefits
Castor oil originates from the seeds of the castor plant. Its scientific name is Ricinus communis.
It has increasingly become an essential element to be included in several soaps, cosmetics, massage oils, textiles, and medicines.
According to the International Journal of Toxicology, castor oil is used in over 700 cosmetic products.
Hence, if you apply the essential castor oil on wounds, it will make a moist environment and preventing sores from drying out and assists in healing it.[3]
3. Lavender Oil
This oil is the most popular oil among all the essential oils because of its numerous health benefits.
It is extracted from the lavender plant of the purple flowers, and it has been used for many centuries because of its cleansing and healing properties.
Thanks to its soothing and healing characteristics, the lavender oil provides benefits for afflicted skin afflicted by autoimmune diseases.
Lavender oil even aids in relieving the itching and irritation, and you get the best results if you combine it with chamomile essential oil. [4]
So, don’t miss out on this wonderful essential oil.
ALSO READ: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
4. Emu Oil
Don’t let lichen sclerosus take a toll in your life, go for the natural solution to reduce its symptoms bothering you.
The emu oil has gained a lot of popularity because of its excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
According to the research, it is known that emu oil is well-absorbed and you need to apply only a small amount to manage the inflammatory skin conditions.
This oil helps in treating the symptoms of lichen sclerosus and soothing any irritation and swelling.
So, you can apply it directly to the affected areas of your skin and massage it a few times a day. [5]
ALSO READ: 14 Benefits of Emu Oil You Should Know
5. Witch Hazel Oil
Last but not least is the witch hazel oil, you will be surprised to know how it contributes to healing lichen sclerosus.
Read on to know the witch hazel oil is your ultimate savior!
It is an extract from the North American witch-hazel tree, which has a scientific name as Hamamelis virginiana which is a type of plant that is native of North America.
Owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is highly beneficial as it helps in protecting against tumor development and DNA damage.
It works excellently for the treatment of lichen sclerosus.
So, apply the witch hazel essential oil with a cotton ball for reducing the irritation and any type of skin issues. [6]
Bottom Line
Lichen sclerorsus can be a painful health condition for you to go through but don’t stress out as now you know about some of the best essential oils to treat it.
All the essential oils are safe to use for lichen sclerosus.
However, if you are allergic or undertaking some other topical medicine, then it is better to consult a doctor about it.
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