Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for oral lichen planus

by Merle Zulauf Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

Treatment

  • Symptomatic treatment. Treatments such as topical numbing agents can be used to provide temporary relief for areas that are particularly painful.
  • Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids may reduce inflammation related to oral lichen planus. ...
  • Immune response medicines. ...
  • Dealing with triggers. ...

Self-care

Symptoms

  • Appearance
  • Location
  • Pain or discomfort. The white, lacy patches may not cause discomfort when they appear on the inside of the cheeks.
  • Other types of lichen planus. If you have oral lichen planus, you may have lichen planus lesions affecting other parts of your body.
  • When to see a doctor. ...

Nutrition

Prednisone has an average rating of 9.0 out of 10 from a total of 6 ratings for the treatment of Lichen Planus. 100% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 0% reported a negative effect. 6 ratings from 6 user reviews. Compare all 34 medications used in the treatment of Lichen Planus.

What are the treatment options for widespread lichen planus?

Outlook / Prognosis What is the outlook for lichen planus? A majority of cases of lichen planus go away within 1 year if it is just on the skin. If involving the mouth the rash may be more severe, take longer and require treatment. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information enews

How can I tell if I have oral lichen planus?

Can prednisone help someone with lichen planus?

What is the prognosis of lichen planus?

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How do you get rid of oral lichen planus fast?

Oral lichen planus is a chronic condition. There is no cure, so the treatment focuses on helping severe lesions heal and reducing pain or other discomfort....One of these forms may be recommended:Topical. Mouthwash, ointment or gel is applied directly to the mucous membrane — the preferred method.Oral. ... Injection.

How I cured my lichen planus in mouth?

Lichen planus has no cure, but different treatments can help relieve your symptoms and speed healing. Possible treatments include: Antihistamine medicine to relieve itching. Steroids on your skin or in your mouth to fight inflammation (You may also take steroids in pill form for severe cases)

What triggers oral lichen planus?

It's possible that, in some people, oral lichen planus may be triggered by certain medications, mouth injury, infection or allergy-causing agents such as dental materials. Stress may be involved in symptoms becoming worse or recurring.

What is prescribed for oral 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.

What vitamins help oral 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 toothpaste is good for oral lichen planus?

Use SLS-free toothpaste such as Biotene, Pronamel, Orajel for dry mouth, Sensodyne, or Prevident. (Avoid mint flavors.)

What foods should I avoid with lichen planus?

They'll likely hurt the most when you eat or drink foods that are spicy, salty, acidic (orange juice, tomatoes), or alcoholic. Crispy treats and drinks with caffeine can also cause problems. Your doctor can diagnose oral lichen planus by taking a small piece of skin from inside your mouth.

What autoimmune disease causes lichen planus?

Etiology of 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.

Is oral lichen planus precancerous?

Lichen planus affects the skin, mucosa (including the oral mucosa) or a combination of both (4). In 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that oral lichen planus (OLP) is a precancerous condition (5). In this regard, the association between OLP and oral cancer has been extensively studied.

Are there any new treatments for lichen planus?

Hydroxychloroquine- A new treatment option for erosive oral lichen planus.

How Long Does lichen planus last in the mouth?

The lesions of cutaneous lichen planus typically resolve within 1-2 years, whereas the reticular forms of oral lichen planus have a mean duration of 5 years and erosive lesions of oral lichen planus are long-lasting and persist for up to 15-20 years or longer.

Which ointment is best for lichen planus?

Newer topical calcineurin inhibitors have replaced topical cyclosporin for the treatment of lichen planus. Other options include oral or topical retinoids. Even with these effective treatments, relapses are common.

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.

What to do if you think you have oral lichen planus?

If you think you’ve developed oral lichen planus, you should see your doctor. At your appointment, your doctor will ask about your medical history. Tell them how long you’ve been experiencing your symptoms and provide a full list of medications you’re taking.

What is a lichen planus?

Lichen planus is an itchy skin rash that is caused by an immune response. It can occur anywhere on your skin. In cases of oral lichen planus, the mucous membranes inside your mouth are the only area affected. Oral lichen planus presents symptoms different from other cases of lichen planus. Instead of a rash, people may experience swollen tissues, ...

What does a white lesions on the palate look like?

palate. Lesions can appear as either white, lacy, raised patches of tissue that resemble spiderwebs or tender, swollen patches that are bright red. They can also appear as — or develop into — open sores (ulceration). When the lesions are white and lacy, they typically don’t present much pain or discomfort.

What is the best treatment for a swollen ear?

Treatment will focus on resolving symptoms and minimizing lesions as much as possible. Treatment options include: topical corticosteroids, which can come in the form of gel, ointment, or mouthwash applied directly to the affected area. injection corticosteroids, which are applied directly to the lesion.

Where do lichens appear?

Lesions from oral lichen planus appear inside of your mouth. They can be present on these areas: inside of your cheeks (the most common location for these lesions) gums. tongue. inner tissues of your lips. palate.

Can eating and drinking cause lichen planus?

Avoiding eating or drinking may lead to weight loss or nutritional deficiency. Oral lichen planus can increase the risk of secondary yeast or fungal infections. Open sores also have a higher risk of bacterial infections. Erosive and ulcerated lesions from oral lichen planus may cause scarring on the affected areas.

Is oral lichen planus an autoimmune disease?

Some theories point to oral lichen planus as being an autoimmune disorder of its own, while others think it could be a symptom of another autoimmune disorder. The following factors can cause you to develop the condition. They can also be triggers in people who already have the condition: having an autoimmune disorder.

How to prevent lichen planus?

There is no way to prevent oral lichen planus. You can lower your risk for oral lichen planus and other oral conditions by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, not drinking large amounts of alcohol and quitting smoking.

What causes lichen planus?

What causes oral lichen planus? The exact cause of oral lichen planus is unknown. Research suggests the condition is related to your genetic makeup and immune system. Some people develop oral lichen planus after taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Does Lichen Planus go away?

Mild oral lichen planus may not need any treatment. Instead, your doctor monitors your condition. Doctors recommend specific treatments if symptoms worsen. Milder forms of the disease usually go away on their own over time, especially if medications triggering the condition are discontinued.

Is lichen planus painful?

This type of lichen planus is usually not painful. In some cases, oral lichen planus (erosive type) appears as bright red gum tissue. In severe cases, ulcers develop on the gums of mucosal tissues inside the mouth, or on the tongue. Eating and drinking spicy, hot or acidic foods or beverages can be painful for people with oral lichen planus.

Can you get oral lichen planus?

Anyone can develop oral lichen planus. Women are twice as likely as men to develop the condition. Most cases of oral lichen planus occur in adults age 50 and older.

Can you eat spicy food with lichen planus?

Eating and drinking spicy, hot or acidic foods or beverages can be painful for people with oral lichen planus. Skin lesions are common among people with oral lichen planus. Almost half of people with oral lichen planus also have skin lichen planus, which causes itching.

Can lichen planus cause tooth pain?

Occasional flare-ups are common. More severe forms of oral lichen planus, called erosive lichen planus, can make it painful to eat, drink or brush your teeth. Some research indicates a greater likelihood of developing oral cancer if you have erosive oral lichen planus.

What triggers oral lichen planus?

These include: Certain medicines, such as painkillers, high blood pressure treatments, diabetes drugs, and malaria medications. A reaction to metal in your mouth, such as dental fillings.

What causes lichen planus?

Oral Lichen Planus Causes. Doctors aren't sure what causes oral lichen planus, but several things could play a part: It may run in your family. It could be linked to your immune system. Most of the time, your immune cells keep you safe by attacking bacteria and viruses. With oral lichen planus, some doctors believe, ...

How do you know if you have a lichen planus?

Oral Lichen Planus Symptoms. Symptoms can come on slowly or start all at once. You may start out with: White patches on your tongue, cheeks, and gums. They can be tiny dots or lines that make a lace-like pattern. These sores may burn and be painful.

How to get rid of a swollen mouth?

Talk to your doctor about changing medications that may be to blame. Brush twice a day, and floss daily. See your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Use a mild toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. You also need to keep track of your symptoms and tell your doctor about any changes in your mouth.

Does lichen planus go away?

It doesn't go away, but you can keep it under control.

Can you take Lichen Planus pills by mouth?

You take these by mouth. Your doctor may prescribe them if you’re dealing with oral lichen planus in other parts of your body such as your scalp, genitals, or esophagus. Watch what you eat and drink. Certain foods and drinks -- especially spicy or citrus ones -- can make your symptoms worse.

What is lichen planus?

Lichen planus of the female genitalia can involve the external vulvar mucosa and the internal vaginal mucosa. There is an association with cancer in these areas, so both the oral and vaginal tissues need to be monitored by a medical professional. Nail malformation may be produced by lichen planus.

Where are the lichen planus spots?

These spots tend to be located on the inner wrists, forearms, the lower legs just above the ankles, and the lower part of the back.

How do you know if you have lichen planus?

Some of the most common symptoms of lichen planus include the following: purplish-colored lesions or bumps with flat tops on your skin or genitals. lesions that develop and spread over the body over the course of several weeks or a few months. itching at the site of the rash.

What are the white spots on my mouth?

lacy-white lesions in the mouth, which may be painful or cause a burning sensation. blisters, which burst and become scabby. thin white lines over the rash. The most common type of lichen planus affects the skin. Over the course of several weeks, lesions appear and spread.

Can hepatitis C cause lichen planus?

The cause of lichen planus is unknown. In certain locales, patients with extensive lichen planus seem to be more likely to have a hepatitis C virus infection of the liver. However, it seems unlikely that the virus is the cause of lichen planus in such situations.

Is lichen planus more resistant to treatment?

Oral lichen planus occurs more frequently than the cutanous form and tends to be more resistant to any treatment. Less commonly, LP may also involve the genitals (penile or vulvar LP), scalp (lichen planopilaris), ears (otic LP), nails, eyes, and esophagus. Similar to lichen found growing on trees and rocks in forests, ...

Can lichenoids be erupt?

Lichenoid eruptions can occur in graft-versus-host disease in people who have received bone marrow transplants. Tissue examination by a pathologist (biopsy) is frequently necessary to distinguish such lichenoid drug eruptions from classical lichen planus.

What causes lichen planus?

Lichen Planus is triggered by a number of different factors, including stress, certain medications and some viral infections. When lichen planus develops as the result of exposure to ultraviolet light or other known triggers, it’s called phototoxic lichenoid dermatitis.

How long does it take for lichen planus to go away?

Lichen planus is a disease. It often goes away in a couple of years, but it might take a decade or longer for mucosal lichen planus. Spontaneous recovery is unpredictable and lichen planus may come back at any time. There is no cure for lichen planus, and the scars are permanent, including balding of the scalp.

What is the disease of the tongue called?

Oral Lichen Planus. Oral lichen planus is a mouth disease. It often involves the inside of the cheeks and the sides of the tongue. The most common patterns are painless white streaks in a lacy or fern-like pattern or diffuse redness and peeling of the gums (desquamative gingivitis).

What is the condition that causes a red rash on the inside of the mouth and throat?

Lichen planus is a skin condition that causes a rash to develop on the inside of the mouth and throat. It can also cause an itchy, red rash to develop on other parts of your body. Lichen Planus is not contagious and does not harm internal organs in any way; however, it can be very painful and difficult to manage without treatment.

How many people have lichen planus?

Lichen planus is a skin condition that affects one in every hundred people worldwide. Most are adults over the age of 40 years, but oral lichen planus more often occurs in women than men and about 10% have nail lichens which occur most frequently among those with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal failure.

What is a lichenoid?

Lichen planus is a lichenoid, non-infectious inflammatory skin disorder. It typically presents as an itchy or burning eruption with purple discolouration in the form of discrete papules coalescing into plaques. Lichen planus is a skin disease characterized by scaly and itchy lesions. It causes significant pain, burning, or tingling sensations.

Where do lichen planus bumps appear?

It will have bumps that are flat-topped, shiny, and purple to grey in colour. The bumps tend to occur at the wrists and elbows and ankles. When lichen planus affects the mucous membranes of the lips or cheeks, these white filmy eruptions clear up slowly when you stop taking the medication that caused it.

What is the best treatment for lichen planus?

Tea tree. The cure for lichen planus in the mouth is possible with tea tree oil as it is used medicinally for centuries. The leaves of tea tree produce an essential oil which is very helpful to relieve oral lichens planus symptoms linked with mouth and skin specifically.

What causes oral lichen planus?

Causes of Oral Lichen Planus. Exact causes of Oral Lichen Planus are not understood completely, but immunity and genetics might be involved. As per some authorities, Oral Lichen Planus is an autoimmune disorder in which skin cells lining the mouth are attacked by white blood cells but is not confirmed regarding it.

How to tell if you have lichen planus?

You can easily recognize the white patches on your cheeks, tongue, gums or else a tiny dots or lines making a lace-like pattern. Oral lichen planus symptoms also include redness and swelling too. You will hurt the most while eating salty, spicy and acidic foods. Do not worry about how to treat lichen planus naturally, as there are many treatments available to cure for lichen planus in the mouth. The doctor will easily diagnose oral lichen planus by taking a tiny skin piece from your inner mouth known as a biopsy.

What is the white stuff in my mouth?

Oral lichen planus is a disease recognized by white patches in your mouth along with redness and swelling. When oral lichen planus develops person experience moderate to severe discomfort. Also, this discomfort may be constant and unrelenting too.

Can turmeric help with lichen planus?

This turmeric ointment used to cure lichen planus had dramatic effects and patients seen with moderate improvements too . You can try out seeds and aerial parts of oats to treat oral lichen planus naturally. On applying oats on scars of lichen planus, it will help you to get relive from itchiness.

Does lichen planus go away?

Oral Lichen Planus can appear anywhere in the mouth in many patterns. However, it is a long-lasting disease that affects the mouth and does not go away. The cure for lichen planus in the mouth is possible, by keeping it under control.

Can lichen planus be passed from person to person?

Both genders are equally concerned with Lichen Planus, but the specifically oral form of Lichen Planus is more common among women. However, it cannot be passed from person to person as it occurs when the immune system attacks cells.

How to get rid of a sweet taste in your mouth?

If applying turmeric paste in your mouth is just not for you because of the taste, you can try this other home remedy which is much easier on your taste buds due to the sweet taste. Mix ghee and honey with some powdered liquorice (mulethi) until it forms into a smooth paste.

Is there a cure for lichen planus?

While there is no permanent cure for lichen planus, researchers from King George s Medical University in India studied 10 patients with oral lichen planus for three months where it was found that turmeric ointment was very effective in relieving these patients of their symptoms if it is applied twice a day regularly [2].

Is Lichen Planus an autoimmune disease?

Lichen planus is a fairly common autoimmune disorder that affects nearly 2% of the general population. However, the cause of this disorder is still unknown. Here's what your mouth says about your health. Patients suffering from oral lichen planus experience a lot of pain and discomfort due to the oral lesions and blisters on the inside ...

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Aakash Gupta
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment helps to manage the symptoms but cannot be cured.
Medication

Corticosteroid creams: Reduces inflammation and redness. Cream is applied directly on the itchy spots.

Clobetasol propionate


Immunosuppressants: Drugs that reduce immune response may be prescribed.

Cyclosporine

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Avoid spicy foods and acidic causing foods, such as citrus fruit juice, because they can irritate oral lichen planus.
  • Avoid sharp food, such as crusty bread.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol, particularly spirits.
  • Avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
  • Keep the mouth as clean as possible.
  • Clean the teeth using a mild toothpaste that does not include sodium lauryl sulfate (a foaming agent).

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • No foods are known to cause the condition. Good healthy diet and regular exercise is recommended.
  • Folic acid rich foods like green vegetables may prevent dry skin.
  • Diet rich in fruits and vegetables
  • Eat soft and bland food
  • Consume adequate water to maintain good hydration.

Foods to avoid:

  • Avoid excess of salty and spicy foods
  • Avoid sour and acidic foods, vinegar, tamarind, refined flours.
  • Avoid crispy foods

Specialist to consult

Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Alternative Medicine

  • Your doctor makes a diagnosis of oral lichen planus based on: 1. Discussion of your medical and dental history and the medications you're taking 2. Review of symptoms, including lesions in your mouth and any other places on your body 3. Examination of your mouth, and other areas as appr…
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