Evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline on lichen sclerosus

The German-language, consensus- and evidence-based S3 guideline on lichen sclerosus (LS) was developed based on the European "EuroGuiDerm Guideline on lichen sclerosus" under the leadership of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) and the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG). Particular emphasis was placed on adapting the recommendations to the healthcare conditions in German-speaking countries. The interdisciplinary guideline development group consisted of 24 experts from 16 medical societies and actively included patient representatives in the development process. The guideline provides comprehensive recommendations on diagnosis, patient management, follow-up care, and patient education, as well as the treatment of both genital and extragenital LS in women, men, girls, and boys. Regardless of age or sex, ultrapotent or potent topical glucocorticosteroids in combination with emollients remain the standard therapy for genital LS. In male patients with LS-associated phimosis who do not respond sufficiently to standard therapy, circumcision with complete removal of the foreskin is indicated. For extragenital LS, phototherapy with UV light is recommended as an adjunct to topical treatment. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are second-line therapy.

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Publication Details

Journal
JDDG Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
Published
2026-03-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.70000
Primary Topic
Genital Health and Disease
Type
article
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article

Evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline on lichen sclerosus

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JDDG Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
Genital Health and Disease
article

Evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline on lichen sclerosus

Bettina Fischer, Andreas R. Günthert, Alexandra Ciresa-König, Gerhard Weyandt, Claudia Günther, Felix Neis, Gudula Kirtschig, Christine Hirchenhain, Karl‐Friedrich Becker, Anne-Rose Schardt, Bartosz Malisiewicz, Regina Renner, Ines Schweizer, Alexander Kreuter, Martin Promm, Ricardo Niklas Werner, Agnes Wand, Hagen Ott, D M O'Dey, Maria Kinberger, Jan Ter-Nedden, Raimund Stein, Narayani Helga Köllmann, Linn Woelber, Susanne Fricke-Otto
article en

Abstract

The German-language, consensus- and evidence-based S3 guideline on lichen sclerosus (LS) was developed based on the European "EuroGuiDerm Guideline on lichen sclerosus" under the leadership of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) and the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG). Particular emphasis was placed on adapting the recommendations to the healthcare conditions in German-speaking countries. The interdisciplinary guideline development group consisted of 24 experts from 16 medical societies and actively included patient representatives in the development process. The guideline provides comprehensive recommendations on diagnosis, patient management, follow-up care, and patient education, as well as the treatment of both genital and extragenital LS in women, men, girls, and boys. Regardless of age or sex, ultrapotent or potent topical glucocorticosteroids in combination with emollients remain the standard therapy for genital LS. In male patients with LS-associated phimosis who do not respond sufficiently to standard therapy, circumcision with complete removal of the foreskin is indicated. For extragenital LS, phototherapy with UV light is recommended as an adjunct to topical treatment. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are second-line therapy.

JDDG Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (DE), University of Bonn (DE), Universität Hamburg (DE), University of Lucerne (CH), Medical University of Graz (AT), Heidelberg University (DE), University Hospital Bonn (DE), University Hospital Heidelberg (DE), Bayreuth Medical Center (DE), Alice-Salomon-Hochschule Berlin (DE), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE), Institut für Hämatopathologie Hamburg (DE), Helios Klinikum Krefeld (DE), Suva (CH), Klinikum Esslingen (DE), Allergan (Germany) (DE), HELIOS St. Elisabeth Klinik Oberhausen (DE), Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder (DE), Luisenhospital Aachen (DE), University Children's Hospital Tübingen (DE), Tuberous Sclerosis Association (GB), SGS Institut Fresenius (Germany) (DE), St.-Johannes-Hospital Dortmund (DE), University Medical Centre Mannheim (DE), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus (DE), University Hospital Innsbruck (AT), Kantonsspital Frauenfeld (CH), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (CH), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 33%
Genital Health and Disease
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