A safe and inexpensive moisturizing cream can relieve symptoms induced by topical corticosteroids in women with the chronic inflammatory and scarring disorder vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS), according to the results of small prospective study from Belgium. In fact, more than half the women in the study were able to stop corticosteroids completely, while others were able to reduce usage.  

Researchers treated 34 postmenopausal women with vulvar LS with 0.1% betamethasone valerate once daily for 1 month and then with a moisturizing cream alone once daily. After 1 month, the women were followed every 6 months for a median of 58 months.  

Of the 24 women (71%) who became symptom-free and the 10 (29%) who experienced a partial response after the 1-month treatment with the topical corticosteroid, 18 (75%) of the former group and six (60%) of the latter group reported no worsening of symptoms while using the moisturizer. Partial or complete resolution of symptoms occurred in 28 (82%) of the women, while no change occurred in six.  

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A safe and inexpensive moisturizing cream can relieve symptoms induced by topical corticosteroids in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS).