Lichen planus – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, home remedies

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Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by an itchy, non-infectious rash on the arms and legs. It manifests as small, polygonal, flat, pink or purple bumps. Many skin specialists believe it may be an autoimmune disease.

Lichen planus – basic information

Lichen planus is a relatively common inflammatory disease that affects the skin and / or the inside of the mouth, causing characteristic skin lesions and / or burning or soreness in the mouth. Lichen planus of the skin usually causes itching.

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It appears that there is a relationship between the oral form and the cutaneous form of lichen planus. Almost half of the people with the oral version also have skin lesions. The onset of the disease may be gradual or rapid, but the exact cause of the inflammation leading to lichen planus is not yet fully understood. It should be noted that lichen planus itself is not an infectious disease. Therefore, this disease is in no way transmitted from one person to another. Likewise, lichen planus is not a type of cancer.

See also: The seven worst skin diseases

Lichen planus – who can get sick?

Lichen planus affects about 1% of the total population. Both men and women can get lichen planus. Lichen planus affects both men and women equally, but oral lichen planus affects women twice as often as men. Although it can occur at any age, it usually affects middle-aged adults. It is a rare disease in very young and old people. It can affect anyone all over the world, regardless of race, color or culture.

See also: Common skin diseases

Lichen planus – symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the disease. The first attack can last for weeks or even months, while relapses can last for years. Relapses are more common with oral lichen planus.

Symptoms appear in some areas as follows.

Skin lichen planus – symptoms

1. The rash appears suddenly and usually lasts for several months.
2. There are clumps or patterns of shiny, raised, red, pink, or purple flat-tipped nodules.
3. The lumps are approximately 3 to 5 millimeters (mm) in diameter.
4. White streaks, called Wickham’s stretch marks, may sometimes appear on the papules.
5. There may be intense itching, especially at night.

The most affected areas are the wrists, elbows, ankles, and the lower back. However, the disease can also affect other parts of the body. A thickened lichen planus may appear on the calves, while the armpits may have a ring-shaped lichen planus.

Do you notice any changes related to impetigo on your skin? Order AHA and BHA acid peeling for home use Bioherba.

See also: Skin lesions in internal diseases

Oral lichen planus – symptoms

1. White streaks appear on the inside of the cheeks. This can also apply to the gums, tongue, and lips.
2. The streaks are usually not painful or itchy.
3. The white streaks do not disappear.
4. Possible reddening and blistering of the gums.
5. Painful mouth ulcers may develop and recur.
6. The individual’s sense of taste can become dull and some people experience a metallic aftertaste.
7. Mouth may be dry.
8. Spicy and crunchy foods and tomato products can make symptoms worse.

See also: What is Leukoplakia?

Penile lichen planus – symptoms

1. Ring-shaped purple or white spots appear around the head of the penis.
2. They don’t usually itch.
3. The symptoms are similar to thrush and are often confused with it.

See also: Penis diseases – priapism, phimosis, inflammation of the glans

Lichen planus of the vagina and vulva – symptoms

White streaks develop on the vulva, similar to what appears in the mouth. They are usually not itchy or painful.

The skin may be red. Lichen planus on the inner or labia minora and the entrance to the vagina may reoccur and the affected mucosa is bright red. The labia minora can also contract and stick to each other or the outer lips, also called the labia majora.

The vagina may be red. A scar can distort the shape of the vagina. Lichen planus can affect deeper areas of the vagina, causing exfoliative vaginitis. The vagina can bleed easily when touched.

Sexual intercourse can become painful, difficult or impossible.

See also: Vaginitis Yeast – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Symptoms of lichen planus variety

It affects areas where hair grows, such as the scalp. Redness and irritation may occur. This type of lichen planus causes hair loss sometimes, which can be permanent.

In extremely rare cases, lichen planus can occur in the anus, ear canal, eyelids and esophagus.

See also: How to recognize an allergic rash? Causes, symptoms and treatment of skin allergies

Lichen planus – causes

The exact cause of lichen planus is unclear. Many believe that it is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

It is known about lichen planus:

1. it does not appear to be hereditary;
2. it is not contagious;
3. it is not a form of cancer;
4. it has nothing to do with nutrition. However, spicy foods, citrus juices, and tomato products can worsen symptoms if there are open sores in the mouth.

Some causes of lichen planus are thought to involve several components.

Anxieties: lichen planus can occur as a reaction to certain medications, including:

1. beta-blockers, which are common drugs used to treat cardiovascular problems;
2. anti-inflammatory drugs;
3. injections to treat arthritis;
4. antimalarial drugs;
5. thiazide diuretics;
6. phenothiazines, a group of tranquilizers with antipsychotic effects.

Other substances: there is a link between exposure to certain chemicals used in the development of color photographs and lichen planus.

Mercury (amalgam) seals: some studies have found an association between lesions of the type of lichen planus in the mouth and an allergic reaction to mercury fillings.

Lichen planus can also be part of Grinspan’s syndrome, a syndrome characterized by high blood pressure, diabetes, and oral lichen planus.

Lichen planus – diagnosis

Whenever we notice or feel a rash on the skin, changes in the mouth or genitals, we should see a doctor as soon as possible. Our GP may refer us to a dermatologist if the diagnosis of lichen planus is not obvious or if the symptoms make us very uncomfortable.

A primary care physician or dermatologist can tell if we have lichen planus just by looking at our rash. You may need to perform further tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Tests can include a biopsy, which means taking a small sample of skin cells to look at under a microscope, or an allergy test to see if we have an allergic reaction. If your doctor suspects an infection is the cause, you may need to be tested for hepatitis C.

See also: How much do you trust your doctor?

Lichen planus – treatment

For mild cases of lichen planus, which usually resolve within weeks to months, treatment may not be needed. If symptoms are unpleasant or severe, your doctor may prescribe medications.

There is no cure for lichen planus, but medications that treat the symptoms are helpful and some may even be able to heal the underlying cause. Commonly prescribed medications include:

1. retinoids that are related to vitamin A and are taken topically or orally;
2. corticosteroids reduce inflammation and may be used topically, orally or by injection;
3. antihistamines reduce inflammation and can be especially helpful if the rash is caused by an allergen;
4. non-steroidal creams are applied topically and can suppress the immune system but help clear up the rash;
5. light therapy (phototherapy) treats lichen planus with ultraviolet light.

For the care of skin with lichen lesions, it is worth using Bioherba Atopic Skin Tar Soap.

Lichen planus – home remedies

There are also methods that can be tried at home in addition to medications prescribed by your doctor. They include:

1. soaking in an oatmeal bath;
2. avoiding scratching;
3. applying cool compresses to the rash;
4. the use of anti-itching creams.

However, it is recommended to talk to your doctor before taking any medications. This way, we can be sure that nothing we use will interfere with the prescription medications we are taking.

For the care of skin with impetigo, it is worth using Natural tar soap, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

See also: The child is scratching – what does this mean?

Lichen planus – complications

Lichen planus can be difficult to treat if it develops on the vagina or vulva. It can lead to pain, scarring, and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Mouth ulcers can affect your ability to eat. Affected skin may remain a little darker even after the rash has cleared, especially in dark-skinned people.

The development of lichen planus can also increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. The increase in risk is small, but discuss routine skin cancer screening with your doctor.

It should be added that untreated ear canal lichen can lead to hearing loss.

Lichen planus and psoriasis

Psoriasis and lichen planus are skin conditions that share some common characteristics, such as red and scaly skin, but also have key differences. Psoriasis tends to appear in patches on the skin and can last for years. You will need to see a doctor with symptoms. Lichen planus often presents as red bumps that may go away on their own, although they sometimes come back. Unlike psoriasis, lichen planus can affect the inside of the mouth. In both cases, the other person cannot be infected.

Psoriasis seems to be related to our genes. It is more likely that we will get it if one of our relatives has it. This condition causes the immune system to send out erroneous signals, causing skin cells to grow too quickly. In most cases, when talking about lichen planus, the genes do not play any role. And it’s not even clear what exactly is going on in our body, although doctors suspect that a faulty immune system response may have something to do with it. People with hepatitis C – an infection that causes liver problems – are more likely to have lichen planus.

Psoriasis can cause symptoms ranging from simple red spots to dry, thick, scaly patches on the skin, which are the most common symptom of the disease (plaque psoriasis). It also has a tendency to flake off pieces of skin. Lichen planus is more likely to be confined to smaller lesions or patches and usually not scaling. But sometimes thicker, scaly patches may appear, especially on the lower legs and ankles. While both conditions can appear anywhere on the skin, psoriasis most commonly occurs on the knees, elbows, scalp, and back. Lichen planus is more common on the inside of the wrists and forearms. Psoriasis and lichen planus are itchy, but if we have lichen planus, the itching is usually more intense.

As for diagnostics, this the dermatologist will interview us and ask about the symptoms, if we notice anything that is aggravating or triggering them, and if we have family members with psoriasis. They will look closely at the skin, nails and scalp. If a doctor suspects lichen planus, he or she may look inside the patient’s mouth for white, lacy patches that do not hurt and may be on the inside of the cheeks. A specialist can also test your blood for hepatitis C. To confirm lichen planus, your doctor may remove a small piece of skin to view under a microscope. This, along with blood tests, can help rule out other medical conditions.

As for the treatment, this lichen planus is treated with ointments and creams that are applied to the skin. They usually contain corticosteroids to relieve swelling and itching. If that doesn’t work, the doctor may give us a corticosteroid injection. Lichen planus is sometimes difficult to treat, and your doctor may try several treatments to find one that is working well. Psoriasis is also treated first with creams and ointments. Usually they work pretty well. Doctors sometimes recommend ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. In severe stubborn psoriasis, your doctor may suggest medications that are taken in the form of injections or pills that, in turn, work throughout your body to help repair the root cause of your symptoms: the body’s immune response.

See also: Is psoriasis contagious?