Stress control, not cure, for chronic genital dermatoses. (Keeping Symptoms at Bay).

HOUSTON -- Dr. Elizabeth Edwards has this message for new patients: "Cure is a four-letter word. We don't use it in my office."

Many dermatologic conditions can't be cured, but they can be controlled, and dermatoses of the genitalia are no different, she said.

Patients with longstanding, intractable conditions such as lichen sclerosus or lichen planus must understand that they can keep symptoms at bay with appropriate care, but they should not expect a cute, Dr. Edwards said at a conference on vulvovaginal diseases sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine.

Women with chronic conditions of the vulva or vagina usually are anxious. They may see their condition as a type of sexually transmitted disease; they may worry about loss of fertility; and they may find that engaging in sexual activity is painful, embarrassing, or awkward if they think they have an STD. Some patients have even changed their eating habits in an effort to find relief, she noted.

When patients don't respond to medical treatment, reconsider the diagnosis. It may be incorrect, or there may be an ...