Lichen Planus Treatment

The goal of lichen planus treatment is to minimize the symptoms and speed up the healing of the lesions. Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on the location of the lesions, the severity of symptoms, and your medical history. Some of the treatment options that may be recommended are:

Oral antihistamines to manage the itching
Oral lidocaine to numb the lesions inside the mouth and ease discomfort when drinking, eating, or speaking
Topical corticosteroids and steroid creams to alleviate swelling and redness on the affected area
Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce swelling and control immune responses
Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation of the lesions
Oral retinoids and topical retinoic acids to reduce itching and help clear the skin

While the exact cause of lichen planus isn’t clear, there are studies that suggest that it could be an autoimmune disease. It can occur when the body’s immune system attacks the healthy skin cells, tissues, or mucous membrane in the mouth. It’s unknown what causes this response but there are certain factors that appear to trigger it such as:

• Having a hepatitis C infection
• Certain medications such as diuretics can cause a rash that looks like lichen planus
• Metals from dental materials
• Mouth injury or infection

You can’t get lichen planus from other people but you can develop it when you are taking medications that may trigger an abnormal immune system response. Your risk for this condition also increases if you’re middle-aged or have a family history of any disorder that affects your immunity. Experiencing chronic stress can also contribute to an increased risk for this skin disease.

If you have persistent skin bumps or open sores inside the mouth, it’s important to see a healthcare provider or dermatologist to receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Normally, a doctor can confirm your condition through a visual examination. They will look at the shape, size, and color of the lichen planus lesions.

To rule out other conditions, a skin biopsy and blood test may be ordered. An allergy test may also be done to see if your skin lesions are from an allergic reaction. A specialist may also take samples of the cells inside your mouth and examine it to eliminate possible infections.

Although lichen planus isn’t a particularly harmful disease, it may affect your overall physical and emotional health. You may experience more stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and muscle aches and pain when you have untreated lichen planus. Lesions inside the mouth may also increase your risk of having oral cancer.

With the right treatment, mild cases of lichen planus can heal within at least 2 years. As the skin lesion heals, it leaves dark brown spots as a result of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

These spots can go away on their own but you can get treatments like laser therapy and chemical peels to lighten them.