Teach you how to understand lichen vulvar leukoplakia

Lichen vulvar leukoplakia is a type of vulvar leukoplakia, which has the common characteristics of vulvar leukoplakia, namely, thickening of the epidermis, loss of pigmentation in the basal layer of the epidermis, and reduction of blood vessels in the superficial dermis, which causes the vulvar skin or mucous membrane to lose color or become white. The pathological characteristics of lichen vulvar leukoplakia are excessive keratinization of the epidermis and even the appearance of keratin plugs, atrophy and thinning of the epidermis, reduction of melanocytes, loss of collagen fiber structure, and lymphocyte infiltration in the middle layer of the dermis.

This type can be seen in women of any age, but it is still common in women of childbearing age. The main symptoms of the disease are vulvar itching and pain. The lesions are wide and can often affect the vulvar skin mucosa and perianal skin. As the disease progresses, the local skin or mucosa will gradually turn white and thin, dry and cracked, and gradually lose elasticity. The patient's clitoris will be atrophied to varying degrees, and the labia minora will be flat and disappear; in the late stage, the skin is thin and wrinkled, and the vaginal opening becomes abnormally narrow due to contracture, only allowing for fingertips. Lichen vulvar leukoplakia can also infect two special groups of people, namely female infants and menopausal women. After the former is sick, the main manifestation is local irritation and discomfort after urination. Examination of the vulva shows white lesions on the labia majora and minora or perianal area, thinning of the skin, poor stretchability, and the symptoms will gradually improve with the onset of puberty; after the latter is sick, the main manifestations are vulvar atrophy, thin skin of the labia majora and minora, obvious itching and tingling, and narrow vaginal opening leading to sexual dysfunction, etc.