Lichen Planus

Lichen Planus General Information

Although not many individuals are familiar with “Lichen Planus”, this is a quite common inflammatory medical disorder that affects the patient’s mouth and some parts of the individual’s skin. The patient’s genitalia can also be affected. Studies have shown that almost 2% of the entire population of the globe is suffering from this medical disorder. The name of this clinical condition is known to refer to a plant (lichen) that grows on trees and / or rocks. Planus is defined as “flat”.

LP (the most common abbreviation for Lichen Planus) is not an infectious medical condition. For this reason, once cannot spread the disorder to another individual. This disorder is not related to the patient’ dietary schedule, it is not an inherited disease and it is not a form of cancer. Studies have shown that the oral form of this medical condition is much more common in female patients than in male patients; however, the skin form of LP equally affects female patients and male patients. Dermatologists think that this medical disorder is an autoimmune condition. In other words, the organism’s white blood cells, which are supposed to fight against harmful intruders, start to attack the healthy, normal body parts (nails, hair, mucous membranes, skin, and so on). In some cases, the patient has developed his or her LP due to a severe allergic reaction to a certain medicine (of any kind). Some patients who have been diagnosed with the presence of this medical condition also present hepatitis C. This medical condition may affect any patient, as it does not have any race, culture or skin color preferences. The exact cause of this medical condition has not yet been completely understood.

Lichen Planus Symptoms

The form of LP (Lichen Planus) that affects the patient’s skin is mainly characterized by the presence of a set of flat-topped, reddish-purple bumps, which some patients have described to be very itchy. Some of them present a lacy, white appearance that is known as Wickham's Striae. Such lesions can affect each part of the patient’s body. However, they are more common on the ankles and on the inside of the patient’s wrists. However these symptoms can also appear on the patient’s nails, scalp, genitals, legs, lower back, and so on. Blisters are rare, but present in the case of bullous LP.

The mouth form of LP often affects the inside of the patient’s cheeks; however, it can also be located on the gums, lips, and tongue. The oral form of Lichen Planus lasts longer than the one that affects the patient’s skin, as is it more difficult to treat. The oral form of this clinical condition is generally discovered during a routine check up at a dentist’s office. The severe form of this medical condition leads to the development of painful ulcers and sores in the patient’s mouth. Such conditions can also be caused by the presence of a yeast infection. For this reason, a biopsy of the tissue is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

The form of Lichen Planus that affects genitalia is more common in the case of female patients, as 20% of all women present vaginal or vulvar LP. Although a mild form of LP does not cause any problems, symptoms of the more severe forms of this type of LP (such as open sores or red areas) cause pain. Patients with this medical disorder have also presented several nail changes. Most involve damage to the nail root or to the nail matrix.

Lichen Planus Treatment

In most clinical cases, the presence of the skin form of LP does not require any special therapy, as it does not cause any complicated problems. However, some patients have sought remedies for the symptoms of this medical condition (especially itching). Most cases of this form of Lichen Planus last for 2 years (without any therapy). As the lesions disappear, they leave dark brown spots on the individual’s skin. These stains will also fade away in time (without any special treatment). 20% of all patients will develop a recurrence of this medical condition. The use of topical corticosteroid ointments and / or creams, the intake of anti-inflammatory medical products and of oral antihistamines is widely recommended. The most severe cases of Lichen Planus require the intake of more powerful medicines like Cortisone. Another effective therapy option against a severe form of Lichen Planus is PUVA, an ultraviolet light therapy.

Although there are various therapy options that are able to deal with the pain that is generally caused by the mouth lesions in the case of oral LP, if the presence of this clinical disorder does not cause any unpleasant symptoms, no therapy is required. However, the most severe cases of oral Lichen Planus may need immediate therapy with a set of medicines, most of them either oral or topical. During the therapy against this medical condition, maintaining an adequate oral hygiene is very important, as the presence of this medical condition increases the patient’s chances of developing gum disease. The consumption of citrus juices, spicy aliments, tomato products, cola, coffee and / or any other caffeinated drinks can lead to a worsening of the patient’s oral form of Lichen Planus, especially if the individual presented oral open sores.

Other helpful measures in the therapy against Lichen Planus include taking soothing baths (Nutrasoothe, Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal, and so on), applying wet dressings (Burow’s solution, tap water, and so on) to the affected areas. Such measures are known to generally be able to ease the patient’s itching. Furthermore, the use of medical lotions that are known to contain anti-itch ingredients (like Pramoxine, menthol, and so on) is also widely recommended. Treating some medical problems that you were already suffering from (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and so on) can improve the symptoms that are caused by the presence of LP. If the true cause of your medical condition was of a psychological nature, visiting a psychiatrist may help. For further information regarding the most adequate therapy options that may employ in the fight against any form of this disorder, we recommend to seek the guidance of your personal doctor.