The most common phototherapy for lichen planus uses ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which penetrates only the upper layer of skin (epidermis). Light therapy usually requires two to three treatments a week for several weeks.
Full Answer
Is narrow band UVB phototherapy effective in the treatment of cutaneous lichen planus?
Narrowband UVB (NBUVB) radiation causes less erythema and carcinogenicity with lower cumulative doses than PUVA, while the treatment response remains high. Lichen planus (LP) is a cell-mediated immune response of unknown origin. Methods: We present our results of NBUVB therapy administered to 10 LP patients. The sessions were administered three ...
How long does lichen planus take to clear up?
Nov 01, 2021 · NB-UVB is considered a first-line treatment for stable, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis affecting greater than 10% of body surface area in children and adults, with efficacy comparable to PUVA phototherapy. ... Comparison of the narrow band UVB versus systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of lichen planus: A randomized clinical trial ...
How is lichen planus treated?
Response was obtained with a median delay of 3 months, ranging from 2 to 6 months, following a median of 30 sessions (12 to 50) and accumulated dose of UVB of 36 +/- 4.8 joules/cm2. The phototype, gender, age and duration of evolution before treatment did not influence the response.
What is the best treatment for lichen nitidus?
Nov 01, 2021 · Long-term follow-up of lichen planus. Acta Derm Venereol. (1991) 71:242 ... Asilian A, Siadat AH, Larijani FT, Akbari M. Comparison of the narrow band UVB versus systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of lichen ... An open-label pilot study of apremilast for the treatment of moderate to severe lichen planus: a case series. J Am Acad Dermatol
How often can you have UVB treatment?
How long does UVB therapy take to work?
Does light therapy work for lichen planus?
How long should you use a UVB light for psoriasis?
How long is UV treatment?
UVA penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB. Treatment with UVA typically takes 20 minutes for a session. UVA light used with psoralen drugs is called PUVA. With PUVA, the treatment time is greatly reduced, from 20 minutes to about 2 minutes.
What is the wavelength of narrowband UVB?
Is lichen planus lifelong?
Can the sun trigger lichen planus?
What autoimmune disease causes lichen planus?
Lichen planus (LP) is thought to be caused by a T cell–mediated autoimmune reaction against basal epithelial keratinocytes in people with genetic predisposition.
What are the side effects of UVB treatment?
How effective is UVB treatment for vitiligo?
Can UVB make psoriasis worse?
What is the best treatment for lichen planus?
The first choice for treatment of lichen planus is usually a prescription corticosteroid cream or ointment. If that doesn't help and your condition is severe or widespread, your doctor might suggest a corticosteroid pill or injection.
How to treat lichen planus?
Light therapy. Light therapy (phototherapy) may help clear up lichen planus affecting the skin. The most common phototherapy for lichen planus uses ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which penetrates only the upper layer of skin (epidermis). Light therapy usually requires two to three treatments a week for several weeks.
What test is used to determine if a tissue has lichen planus?
The tissue is analyzed to determine whether it has the cell patterns characteristic of lichen planus. Hepatitis C test. You may have your blood drawn to test for hepatitis C, which is a possible trigger for lichen planus. Allergy tests.
Can hepatitis C cause lichen planus?
Hepatitis C test. You may have your blood drawn to test for hepatitis C, which is a possible trigger for lichen planus. Allergy tests. Your doctor may refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist) or dermatologist to find out if you're allergic to something that can trigger lichen planus.
How long does it take for lichen planus to go away?
Many cases of skin lichen planus go away within two years. About one in five people will have a second outbreak. In some people, the skin problem may come and go for years.
Can lichen planus be treated?
If this is the case, treatment may not be necessary. When lichen planus causes pain, burning, redness, blisters, sores, or ulcers, it can be treated. Some medicine is applied to the sores. Other medicine comes in pill form. Any mouth disease can lead to gum disease.
How to tell if you have lichen planus?
A dermatologist often can tell whether you have lichen planus by looking at your skin, nails, and mouth. To make sure that you have lichen planus, a dermatologist may remove a bit of skin. This skin will be examined under a microscope to make sure. Your dermatologist may call this a biopsy.
Can Lichen Planus cause pain?
Ask your dermatologist about possible side effects (health problems that can result from the medicines). When lichen planus develops in the mouth, it often does not cause pain or other symptoms. If this is the case, treatment may not be necessary.
How many people will have a second outbreak of lichen planus?
About one in five people will have a second outbreak. In some people, the skin problem may come and go for years. As lichen planus heals, it often leaves dark brown spots on the skin. Like the bumps, these spots may fade without treatment.
Do lichen planus spots go away?
Like the bumps, these spots may fade without treatment. If they do not go away, dermatologists can lighten the spots with creams, lasers, or other treatments. Lichen planus in the mouth often lasts longer than lichen planus on the skin. In the mouth, it can be harder to treat.
What is PUVA therapy?
PUVA therapy: A type of light treatment that can help clear the skin. Retinoic acid: Applied to the skin or given as a pill to clear the skin. Tacrolimus ointment or pimecrolimus cream: Used to treat another skin problem, eczema.
What is the best treatment for lichen nitidus?
Phototherapy, a type of light therapy, may help clear up lichen nitidus. One type uses ultraviolet A (UVA) light, which penetrates deep into the skin. This therapy is usually used in combination with a drug that makes the skin more sensitive to UVA light.
How to treat lichen nitidus?
An oral or topical antihistamine may relieve itching associated with lichen nitidus. Phototherapy, a type of light therapy, may help clear up lichen nitidus. One type uses ultraviolet A (UVA) light, which penetrates deep into the skin. This therapy is usually used in combination with a drug that makes the skin more sensitive to UVA light.
What doctor diagnoses lichen nitidus?
Your doctor or dermatologist makes a diagnosis of lichen nitidus or another skin condition based on the information you provide about the symptoms and a careful examination of the skin abnormality.
How long does lichen nitidus last?
For most people, lichen nitidus lasts for a few months to a year. The condition usually clears up on its own without treatment. After it clears up, the appearance of the skin is usually normal with no scarring or permanent change to skin color. If lichen nitidus causes itching or if you have concerns about your appearance or your child's ...
Does Lichen nitidus cause scarring?
The condition usually clears up on its own without treatment. After it clears up, the appearance of the skin is usually normal with no scarring or permanent change to skin color. If lichen nitidus causes itching or if you have concerns about your appearance or your child's appearance, your doctor may prescribe one of the following treatments: ...
What to do if your skin is itchy after lichen nitidus?
After it clears up, the appearance of the skin is usually normal with no scarring or permanent change to skin color. If lichen nitidus causes itching or if you have concerns about your appearance or your child's appearance, your doctor may prescribe one of the following treatments: Corticosteroids may reduce inflammation associated ...
Can tacrolimus be used in conjunction with phototherapy?
Possible side effects include stinging, burning and itching at the site where the medication is applied. This medication can't be used in conjunction with phototherapy. Limit sun exposure while using tacrolimus and don't use tanning beds during treatment.
Is UVB a first line treatment for lichen planus?
Evidence supporting the use of topical corticosteroids, as a first-line therapy, is absent. Conclusion: Narrowband UVB is the preferred phototherapeutic treatment option for cutaneous lichen planus and should be considered before commencing systemic treatment.
What is the treatment for disseminated cutaneous lichen planus?
UVA phototherapy, acitretin and oral corticosteroids are currently the front-line treatment of disseminated cutaneous lichen planus. We studied the efficacy of narrow band UVB therapy in this indication. We retrospectively studied the dossiers of patients suffering from disseminated cutaneous lichen planus, treated with narrow band phototherapy in the Phototherapy Unit of the University hospital in Montpellier, from May to November of the year 2001. Disseminated lichen planus was defined as lichen involving at least 20p. 100 of the skin surface. Twenty patients were included. UVB were applied thrice weekly using a Philips TL01 cubicle (311-313 nm). The protocol was that used for the treatment of psoriasis. We defined 4 types of response: complete response (disappearance of more than 90p. 100 of the lesions), partial response (disappearance of at least 50p. 100) poor response (improvement in 20 to 50p. 100) and failure (less than 20p. 100 reduction in the lesions). Assessment of relapses in the long term was made using a telephone survey among the patients treated or their physicians. Complete response was obtained in 11 out of the 20 patients (55p. 100) and partial response in 4 (20p. 100), corresponding to 75p. 100 of the responders. Response was obtained with a median delay of 3 months, ranging from 2 to 6 months, following a median of 30 sessions (12 to 50) and accumulated dose of UVB of 36 +/- 4.8 joules/cm2. The phototype, gender, age and duration of evolution before treatment did not influence the response. The relapse rate was and estimated 18p. 100 (2/11) 42 months after treatment had been stopped. In our opinion, these results underline the efficacy of narrow band UVB in the treatment of disseminated cutaneous lichen planus. They confirm those of earlier studies and are superimposable with those of oral UVA phototherapy.
What is lichen planus?
Lichen planus is a chronic, immunologic, mucocutaneous disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the most common forms of oral lichen planus (OLP) and its symptoms and to describe treatment responses in patients during 10-year period.
Is NBUVB more effective than corticosteroids?
According to chi-square test, NBUVB was significantly more effective than systemic steroid in treatment of generalized lichen planus (p = 0.008). According to the results, patient satisfaction was also significantly higher in the group treated with NBUVB as compared with the systemic corticosteroids (p = 0.012).
Is vitamin D3 good for cutaneous lichen planus?
Vitamin D3 is not recommended for the treatment of cutaneous lichen planus due to poor patient outcomes. The second part of this review will investigate the efficacy of systemic treatments for cutaneous lichen planus in the current literature.
Is Methotrexarte good for lichen planus?
There is a long list of topical and systemic therapies for its treatment. Methotrexarte has some characteristics that make it a good choice for generalized lichen planus.
Is NB UVB better than psoralen?
Narrowband (NB) UVB phototherapy has been proven to be clearly more effective than broadband UVB and safer and/or more practicable than psoralen-UVA in the management of psoriasis. However, the role of NB UVB seems to be less clear in the management of skin conditions beyond psoriasis. We sought to give an update on clinical experiences in NB UVB of nonpsoriatic skin conditions, and to establish its current position within the spectrum of competing photo (chemo)therapeutic options. The computerized bibliographic database PubMed, without time limits, and other sources were screened for clinical trials on NB UVB. Included were research articles of randomized controlled trials, open prospective studies, and retrospective observations on NB UVB in skin disorders other than psoriasis. A total of 28 articles met our eligibility criteria including 6 randomized controlled studies, 16 open prospective studies, and 6 retrospective observations. NB UVB is effective in patients with chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) (n = 719) and generalized vitiligo (n = 305) and appears to have some advantages over competing photo (chemo)therapeutic regimens. NB UVB also seems to be effective in patients with polymorphic light eruption (n = 25), early stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (n = 108), chronic urticaria (n = 88), lichen planus (n = 15), pruritus associated with polycythemia vera (n = 10), seborrheic dermatitis (n = 18), actinic prurigo (n = 6), and acquired perforating dermatosis (n = 5). The quality of evidence determined for the aforementioned diagnoses ranged from high to moderate to very low. The best currently available data on NB UVB in nonpsoriatic conditions exist for AD and generalized vitiligo. In view of its efficacy, benefit/risk profile, and costs, NB UVB may be considered the first-line photo (chemo)therapeutic option for moderately severe AD and widespread vitiligo. In the treatment of most other nonpsoriatic conditions, NB UVB appears to be effective, but current data allow no definitive conclusions as to whether NB UVB should be preferred to competing photo (chemo)therapeutic options such as UVA1 and psoralen-UVA regimens. Because NB UVB may have a wider indication spectrum, including AD, vitiligo, and early-stage T-cell lymphoma, and appears to be equally effective or even more effective than broadband UVB, a switch from broadband UVB to NB UVB seems to be justified.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- 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. Medications and other treatments might help relieve itching, ...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Self-care measures can help reduce the itching and discomfort caused by lichen planus. These include: 1. Soaking in a bathtub with colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno, others), followed by moisturizing lotion 2. Applying cool compresses 3. Using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone (if you're not using a prescription topical …
Alternative Medicine
- A couple of small clinical trials have suggested the benefit of aloe vera gel for treating lichen planus of the mouth and vulva. Look into alternative medicine approaches that help reduce stress, as stress can worsen the signs and symptoms of lichen planus. Talk with your doctor before trying an alternative treatment for lichen planus. Some alternative medicines or vitamin supplem…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You'll likely start by seeing your primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin diseases (dermatologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.