Lichen planus is a common disease that causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) on your skin or inside your mouth . On your skin, lichen planus causes a rash that is usually itchy. Inside your mouth, it may cause burning or soreness.
What is the main cause of lichen planus?
Lichen planus occurs when your immune system attacks cells of the skin or mucous membranes . It’s not clear why this abnormal immune response happens.
How do you get rid of lichen planus?
Topical (applied to the skin) corticosteroid: Cream or ointment to reduce swelling and redness. Corticosteroid: Pills (such as prednisone) or shots can help when lichen planus lasts a long time or a patient has many bumps or painful sores. PUVA therapy: A type of light treatment that can help clear the skin.
Is lichen planus life threatening?
Although lichen planus is a disease of uncertain cause and is difficult to be cured by treatment, this skin disease itself is neither life threatening like cancer nor infectious . Therefore, lichen planus is very unlikely to affect your general health and cannot be passed on.
How Long Does lichen planus last?
Lichen planus on the skin often clears up on its own in months to years . If the disease affects your mucous membranes, it tends to be more resistant to treatment and prone to recur. Whatever treatment you use, you’ll need to visit your doctor for follow-up appointments about once a year.
Does Vitamin D Help lichen planus?
Lichen planus disease is a chronic inflammatory lesion without a known etiology. Recent studies have indicated the role of vitamin D on immune system and proposed its anti-inflammatory effects.
What foods should you avoid if you have lichen planus?
- It does not appear to be a hereditary condition.
- It is not an infectious condition.
- It is not a form of cancer.
- It is not linked to nutrition. However, spicy foods, citrus juices, and tomato products may aggravate symptoms if there are open sores in the mouth.
Is lichen planus permanent?
In most cases, lichen planus will go away within 2 years . If you have symptoms, such as severe itching or sores in your mouth or genital area, treatment can help. If you have lichen planus on your scalp, treatment is important to prevent permanent hair loss.
How fast does lichen planus spread?
The most common type of lichen planus affects the skin. Over the course of several weeks , lesions appear and spread. The condition usually clears up within 6 to 16 months. Less commonly, the lesions can occur in areas besides the skin or genitals.
What foods are good for lichen planus?
When the lesions are symptomatic, patients may avoid certain foods that may aggravate the symptoms. They are often on a soft diet, which may be a predominantly carbohydrate diet. Advise patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) that a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables may help reduce the risk of oral SCC.
Can Lichen Planus cause death?
The average lichen planus patient died at 71.3 years of age ; men died earlier (67.5) than women (74.5). The earliest age at death was 39 for men and 47 for women.
What are the complications of Lichen Planus?
- Hyperpigmentation. Lichen planus is a self-limited skin condition and remission usually occurs within 18 months. ...
- Scarring alopecia. ...
- Erosive LP. ...
- Dyspareunia. ...
- Scarring of the female genital region. ...
- Esophageal stenosis. ...
- Psychological sequelae. ...
- Malignant transformation.
What autoimmune disease causes lichen planus?
Lichen planus (LP) is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in patients with a genetic predisposition but may be caused by drugs or be associated with disorders such as hepatitis C . LP is characterized by recurrent, pruritic papules that are polygonal, flat-topped, and violaceous and can coalesce into plaques.
What toothpaste is best for lichen planus?
If lichen planus is not causing you any problems it does not require treatment although you may be kept a close eye on. If you do have soreness and ulceration, simply changing toothpastes to one without Sodium Lauryl Sulphate may help a lot. Aloclair Plus gel or mouthwash can also help.
Can vitamin D deficiency causes lichen planus?
Another study concluded that 1,25(OH)2D3 plays an anti- inflammatory role in oral lichen planus as it has an effect on the NF-kB signaling pathway. Therefore, from the findings we can conclude that low vitamin D plays a crucial role in causing oral lichen planus.
What vitamins help lichen planus?
Since 1971, Vitamin A acid (VAA) has been used for topical treatment of lichen planus (L.p.) at the 2nd Department of Dermatology in Vienna.
