Topical tacrolimus in the management of lichen sclerosus

Abstract

The effective management of vulval lichen sclerosus (LS) currently depends upon the use of topical steroids and emollients. There are concerns with regard to the long-term toxicity of potent steroids and therefore is a need to consider effective alternatives. Immunomodulatory macrolactams offer an alternative to steroids in the management of some other inflammatory skin disorders and it would seem reasonable therefore to assess their activity in LS. This pilot study of 16 histologically confirmed cases of LS suggests that macrolactams have a positive pharmacological effect.