Lichen on the face – causes, symptoms, treatment. Home remedies for impetigo

Lichen is a fairly broad concept. This term covers as many as three different dermatological diseases or internal diseases, i.e. lichen planus, erythematosus, i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma. The lichen that appears on the face is quite rare. Its main symptom is changes with the characteristic appearance of lumps, which usually cover the entire body. What should be done when the skin changes bothersome?

Lichen on the face – appearance

Lichen on the face usually appears around the age of 30-60. It most often appears in people who are prone to allergies and have other autoimmune diseases. In the case of children, it often appears as a consequence of seizures, which take the form of painful erosions. The lichen on the face comes on suddenly and appears as itchy, red lumps.

Lichen on the face – diagnosis

Diagnosing lichen on the face is not easy. When a rash appears on our skin or mucous membranes, it is worth seeing a doctor immediately. Then the primary care physician can make an initial diagnosis based on the observation of skin lesions. If, however, he has doubts, he will send us to a dermatologist who will conduct a thorough diagnosis and refer us for tests. An indication for a visit to a dermatologist will also be troublesome symptoms causing discomfort.

The most common method of testing for lichen is to perform a biopsy, which is a small sample of the skin. This sample is then examined under a microscope or it is used for allergy tests to see if there is an allergic reaction to the allergen. In addition, it is also possible to have hepatitis C tests performed if the doctor suspects that an infection is developing.

Lichen on the face – causes

The lichen on the face can be, for example, lichen planus. It is a chronic disease of the skin and mucous membranes. When lichen planus appears on the face and other parts of the body, it is most often caused by an autoimmune reaction that often occurs with a variety of medical conditions.

Lichen planus also appears much more often in people suffering from various liver diseases, diabetes, or taking certain medications. The cause of impetigo on the face can also be:

1. strong and sudden stress;
2. taking certain medications;
3. inflammatory bowel disease;
4. complications after diseases such as smallpox, dermatitis or even head lice;
5. streptococcal or staphylococcal infection.

Lichen on the face – symptoms

Symptoms of lichen planus on the face include skin changes in different places of the skin all over the body. Lichen planus appears as a lumpy and shiny bloom that can appear linearly, mostly when scratched. They can also be found on the mucous membranes. This type of lichen most often affects women between the ages of 30 and 60. An important symptom is severe itching.

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Lichen on the face – symptoms of systemic lupus on the face

Lupus erythematosus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, is a very dangerous disease. It can take one of two forms, i.e. cutaneous or systemic. This means that impetigo lesions can appear as eruptions, but also eruptions can appear on internal organs or joints.

Lupus erythematosus on the face has a very characteristic butterfly shapewhose wings are located on the cheeks. This lesion takes the form of erythema. There may also be disc erythema, a circular lesion that leaves scars. With this form of lichen on the face, the first symptom will be severe joint pain. As a result, patients first seek help from a rheumatologist. The skin symptoms that indicate lupus erythematosus on the skin do not appear until time.

Depending on the form of the disease, organ symptoms, mouth ulcers and inflammation of the serous membranes may also appear. Keep in mind that lichen in the face is an autoimmune disease. In its course, the human body begins to treat its tissues as foreign and hostile, which is why our immune system begins to attack them before protecting them.

Lichen on the face – treatment

The method of treating lichen on the face should be adjusted primarily to the type of lichen, the degree of advancement of the lesions and the place of their appearance. An indication for a medical consultation with a dermatologist is the appearance of itchy lumps on the face. In each case, the topical treatment of lichen is used first, so ointments, creams and sprays are used to relieve itching and redness.

Both lichen planus, erythematosus, and scleroderma are treated with corticosteroids. The composition of the ointment for lichen face includes, among others glucocorticosteroids, steroids, antifungal and antibacterial agents. In contrast, oral treatment of lichen is administered with antihistamines, steroids and retinoids, which are given at later stages of treatment.

If we struggle with lupus erythematosus attacking internal organs, drugs that support the work of these organs are most often administered. Immunosuppressants are also administered to alleviate the negative effects of immune cells on the human body during illness. If the above treatments do not work, professional and specialist treatment may be necessary. Depending on the severity of the lesions, it may be necessary to additionally implement phototherapy, cryotherapy, and even surgical treatment of lichen.

Lichen on the face appears very rarely, most often it is mild and disappears on its own after a few months or a maximum of two years. For this reason, in most cases, lichen disappears with home treatments.

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Lichen on the face – home remedies

When lichen appears on our face, we most often reach for home remedies first. Often they are completely sufficient, and drug treatment is initiated when the symptoms of lichen begin to bother us a lot. During the treatment of lichen on the face, it is very important to have a proper level of hygiene and moisturizing the affected skin.

Protection from the sun is also very important, so on skin with impetigo you should use a cream with a sunscreen above 30 SPF. Rinses with which compresses are made can also help to alleviate the symptoms. It can be a decoction of linseed and black mallow, which should be applied to the face after cooling. The itching associated with impetigo will also be relieved by the regular use of a porridge mask to prevent irritation and soothe itching.

Lichen on the face of a child

It is worth consulting a pediatrician with lichen on the face of a child, because often the appearance of the lesions may indicate an allergic reaction. The lesions associated with impetigo on the face in children are associated with contagious impetigo, which is a completely different disease. Childhood lichen develops, for example, on the chin, nose or cheeks. Importantly, the changes usually disappear on their own after a few months, and lichen is self-limiting.

To confirm the presence of lichen in a child, it is necessary to perform histopathological examinations. Facial lichen may appear in a newborn baby. For such a small child it is a troublesome condition that causes itching, and even pain and burning. With lichen, the newborn becomes more tearful and anxious. In addition, children diagnosed with lichen are more prone to bruising, various skin lesions, or other ailments, such as Gilbert’s dandruff.

Lichen on the face and diet

Diet to treat lichen is of great importance, and the right diet will be beneficial for the treatment process. When lichen appears on our face, you should eliminate spicy, intense spices such as ginger, chilli or just pepper from the diet. Coffee and alcohol should also be avoided. The diet during lichen treatment should be rich in fruits and vegetables, but remember to eliminate citrus. In addition, you should remember about the right amount of water.

Lichen on the face – complications

Lichen planus is a condition that can take many different courses. Although most often the disease is mild and goes away on its own after a few months, it is not always the case. The main problem is the development of lichen on the vaginal mucosa and the vulva, which causes pain and discomfort.

You should also be aware that the appearance of lichen planus increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Although the risk of developing the disease is not high, doctors recommend a skin cancer diagnosis once a year.