Genital and oral mucosal diseases may be localised or be part of a generalised skin disease (e.g. lichen planus).

Genital Skin Disease

Inflammatory Genital Skin Diseases

Psoriasis presents with symmetrical well-demarcated erythematous shiny plaques which lack the typical scales.

Eczema has ill-defined itchy erythematous patches, with hyperpigmentation and lichenification due to chronic scratching.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) commonly presents in pre-pubertal and post-menopausal females with itchy and/or painful erythema, fissures and erosions of the vulval and peri-anal skin leading to scarring. Atrophic skin with purpura is seen in its quiescent phase (Figure 24.1). In men, similar features are seen on the glans penis. Complications include narrowing of the vaginal introitus, labial adhesions in females, phimosis in males and urethral strictures.

Lichen planus (LP) presents with itchy shiny violaceous papules, plaques or erosions on the vulva, shaft or glans penis.

Zoon’s balanitis or vulvitis, also called plasma cell balanitis or vulvitis based on its histological features, presents with asymptomatic red shiny plaques on the glans penis or vulva.