1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Dietary changes for lichen sclerosis

Posted by scarlettoh @scarlettoh, Oct 12, 2022

Has anyone had any luck with dietary changes for lichen sclerosis? (blood sugar management, less sugar, intermittent fasting, no dairy, etc) Ironically I have also found that possibly increased blood flow to the area (through bike riding) has seemed to decrease symptoms dramatically.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Apr 13, 2023
In reply to @irinig "Dietary changes…that depends…each carb/fat/vitamin/mineral etc within us has a different effect on our genes and in..." + (show)
@irinig

Dietary changes…that depends…each carb/fat/vitamin/mineral etc within us has a different effect on our genes and in waking up our dormant genes…

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@irinig
you brought up an interesting topic: the effect of diet on genes. I found this very good article about diet and DNA.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/science-for-life/how-diet-can-change-your-dna/#:~:text=Epigenetics%20is%20the%20study%20of,environmental%20signals%20affect%20gene%20expression.
Let me know what you think!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Apr 22, 2023

@scarlettoh I haven’t heard from you in awhile. Have you found any possible dietary changes for LS? Other members offered suggestions and possible support groups. Have you been able to follow up on these?
I do hope you’re doing OK. Please let me know

REPLY
irinig | @irinig | Apr 24, 2023
In reply to @becsbuddy "@irinig you brought up an interesting topic: the effect of diet on genes. I found this..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@irinig
you brought up an interesting topic: the effect of diet on genes. I found this very good article about diet and DNA.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/science-for-life/how-diet-can-change-your-dna/#:~:text=Epigenetics%20is%20the%20study%20of,environmental%20signals%20affect%20gene%20expression.
Let me know what you think!

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Thank you for this. While extremely anxious to read the article I cannot access it. Might you have a copy I could read elsewhere as in via email perhaps? Was it informative? Any super new insights? I am reading about epigenetics. It is fascinating.

REPLY
perry1970 | @perry1970 | Sep 19, 2023

Hi @scarlettoh, have you had any success in fighting your LS?

One diet change that is scientifically proven to reduce the severity of a range of autoimmune disorders is the reduction of salt in the diet while making sure you get enough potassium. Salt triggers inflammation. As far as I know there are no studies specifically on LS (well studies in MS, LSE, etc.), but since there are other benefits to reducing salt intake I would recommend trying for yourself. I would try to avoid all processed foods and fast-food as these can contain more sodium in a single serving than the salt used in a week's worth of home cooked meals. (If you want to read more about this google "T-helper 17 (Th17) cells"). One option is to use a potassium based salt substitute.

I would not try avoiding (properly cooked) legumes, nuts (w/o added salt) or nightshades unless you have personally experienced problems including these in your diet. It might make sense to avoid or limit meat though since these are inflammatory.

I am using clobetasol propionate to control my LS symptoms. I used Nigella sativa oil to treat my Hashimotos, but I have stopped taking the oil after I switched to a (more or less) vegan, whole plant food based diet, which made all my Hashimotos symptons disappear (for now...). Speaking of Nigella sativa, I recently found the below study where they used Nigella sativa cream to treat oral LP. Not sure who funded this study, but it would be wonderful if this will also be effective for LS. (I couldn't post the URL as I am a new member...)
Perhaps someone else on the forum has tried this?

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 19, 2023
In reply to @perry1970 "Hi @scarlettoh, have you had any success in fighting your LS? One diet change that is..." + (show)
@perry1970

Hi @scarlettoh, have you had any success in fighting your LS?

One diet change that is scientifically proven to reduce the severity of a range of autoimmune disorders is the reduction of salt in the diet while making sure you get enough potassium. Salt triggers inflammation. As far as I know there are no studies specifically on LS (well studies in MS, LSE, etc.), but since there are other benefits to reducing salt intake I would recommend trying for yourself. I would try to avoid all processed foods and fast-food as these can contain more sodium in a single serving than the salt used in a week's worth of home cooked meals. (If you want to read more about this google "T-helper 17 (Th17) cells"). One option is to use a potassium based salt substitute.

I would not try avoiding (properly cooked) legumes, nuts (w/o added salt) or nightshades unless you have personally experienced problems including these in your diet. It might make sense to avoid or limit meat though since these are inflammatory.

I am using clobetasol propionate to control my LS symptoms. I used Nigella sativa oil to treat my Hashimotos, but I have stopped taking the oil after I switched to a (more or less) vegan, whole plant food based diet, which made all my Hashimotos symptons disappear (for now...). Speaking of Nigella sativa, I recently found the below study where they used Nigella sativa cream to treat oral LP. Not sure who funded this study, but it would be wonderful if this will also be effective for LS. (I couldn't post the URL as I am a new member...)
Perhaps someone else on the forum has tried this?

Jump to this post

Good morning @perry1970 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You’ve really jumped in with both feet! I’m so glad that you’re helping other members. I’ll see if I can find and post the info about Nigella sativa cream
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230021002294#:~:text=Nigella%20sativa%20seed%20has%20been,is%20valid%20only%20when%20N. This article talks about Nigella sativa (black cumin) having a long history as a food additive and therapeutic agent. It didn’t mention side effects, so, as a caution, i would suggest clearing it with your doctor.
How did you find Connect?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Sep 19, 2023
In reply to @perry1970 "Hi @scarlettoh, have you had any success in fighting your LS? One diet change that is..." + (show)
@perry1970

Hi @scarlettoh, have you had any success in fighting your LS?

One diet change that is scientifically proven to reduce the severity of a range of autoimmune disorders is the reduction of salt in the diet while making sure you get enough potassium. Salt triggers inflammation. As far as I know there are no studies specifically on LS (well studies in MS, LSE, etc.), but since there are other benefits to reducing salt intake I would recommend trying for yourself. I would try to avoid all processed foods and fast-food as these can contain more sodium in a single serving than the salt used in a week's worth of home cooked meals. (If you want to read more about this google "T-helper 17 (Th17) cells"). One option is to use a potassium based salt substitute.

I would not try avoiding (properly cooked) legumes, nuts (w/o added salt) or nightshades unless you have personally experienced problems including these in your diet. It might make sense to avoid or limit meat though since these are inflammatory.

I am using clobetasol propionate to control my LS symptoms. I used Nigella sativa oil to treat my Hashimotos, but I have stopped taking the oil after I switched to a (more or less) vegan, whole plant food based diet, which made all my Hashimotos symptons disappear (for now...). Speaking of Nigella sativa, I recently found the below study where they used Nigella sativa cream to treat oral LP. Not sure who funded this study, but it would be wonderful if this will also be effective for LS. (I couldn't post the URL as I am a new member...)
Perhaps someone else on the forum has tried this?

Jump to this post

Hi @perry1970, new members are not allowed to post links as a way to prevent harmful spammers. However, it looks like you were trying to share some helpful information, allow me to share the link for you in the meantime, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36547822/.

REPLY
perry1970 | @perry1970 | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @becsbuddy "Good morning @perry1970 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You’ve really jumped in with both feet!..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

Good morning @perry1970 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You’ve really jumped in with both feet! I’m so glad that you’re helping other members. I’ll see if I can find and post the info about Nigella sativa cream
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230021002294#:~:text=Nigella%20sativa%20seed%20has%20been,is%20valid%20only%20when%20N. This article talks about Nigella sativa (black cumin) having a long history as a food additive and therapeutic agent. It didn’t mention side effects, so, as a caution, i would suggest clearing it with your doctor.
How did you find Connect?

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Thank you Becky. Agree, especially for things like Nigella sativa which does not seem to be extensively studied. Same goes for potassium based salt substitues.

REPLY
elsa79 | @elsa79 | Feb 15 11:12pm

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with LS Im 44 and am a bit concerned about how it can progress and what the chances are. What should I avoid eating? When you folks speak about pain, what type of pain is it? Up until now I have only experienced itching and sometimes I experience stinging. Does it happen to anyone else? I’m also worried about my sex life since I am a newlywed (just married on the 10th) and it is something that saddens me to think about. Please advise. Thanks to all..

REPLY
jlstanden | @jlstanden | Aug 22 11:47am
In reply to @willows "I have LS going on30 years. Fortunately I rarely get a flare now. I have never..." + (show)
@willows

I have LS going on30 years. Fortunately I rarely get a flare now. I have never been a fan of diet changes to deal with a sickness except for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, or diabetics controlling sugar. I pretty much eat what I want and have not associated any flare up as a result of any food but I believe you if you can identify the cause of the problem in your case.

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Do you have itching ? I have not. Mine is always more like low level pain. People always talk about itching so I’m confused.

REPLY
willows | @willows | Aug 23 7:35am

LS can give either pain or itching or both. Pain can be in the form of a burning feeling or neurological pain or a feeling of arousal that you don’t want or intend any sexual thoughts. This can be caused by the damage to the nerves. A good dermatologist might be helpful or your gynaecologist if either of them know anything about LS. A good ointment with a steroid in it like Clobetasol has been very helpful for me to keep the symptom under control such as burning or itching. However damage to the nerves is usually permanent. Good luck finding a doctor that can help you. .

REPLY
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