Lichen Planus: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Lichen Planus: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Lichen Planus is a disease that causes skin inflammation. It causes rashes with small dots or bumps approximately one cm in size on several parts of the body including the skin of arms, genital area, scalp, nails, and inside of mouth. If a patient has Lichen Planus, there are chances that he also has it in the mouth.

Causes:

It is an idiopathic disease (the cause is unknown).In this condition, the immune system of the body attacks the parts of the body.  But it is not an autoimmune disease but symptoms are similar.

In normal conditions, special cells in the immune system called T-Cells help to protect the body from infections. In Lichen Planus, T-Cells in the immune system attack a protein in the skin and mucous membrane. The reason for attacking the T-Cells on protein is still unknown.

Who Get This Disease?

Anyone can get this disease but the following factors get more likely.

1.    People with age 30 -60 years old.

2.    Women.

3.    Men get this disease at the age of 40, but less than twice that of women.

Symptoms:

Small dots or bumps appear on the skin about the size of 0.4mm i.e. as the tip of the pin and can grow as the width of the pencil i.e. 1cm. Sores may also develop. The same may appear on the tongue, lips, and inside of cheeks. Nails may also affect and shows cracking, colour change, and stop their growth. Usually, Lichen Planus does not give trouble but if the patient scratches the rash, it causes a rupture of rash and infection that leads to pain and discomfort.

It is not a contagious disease.

Diagnosis:

1.    Raised discolored patches

2.    Bumps

3.    Top is flat

4.    Rash has sharp angles

5.    Rash is itchy

6.    Sometimes it is due to the Hepatitis C virus.

Treatment:

There is no cure for Lichen Planus and go away without treatment and may retain for several months to years. However symptomatic treatment is as follows.

1.    Use of corticosteroid creams, ointment, or lotion.

2.    Antihistamine to treat allergy symptoms.

3.    Phototherapy is usually ultraviolet B (UVB). Ultraviolet rays found in sunlight can also help.

4.    Immunosuppressants like oral corticosteroids can be also helpful.

5.    Retinoids (Vitamin A derivative) can help to improve skin condition.

Some home remedies to treat Lichen Planus are as follows.

Aloe vera can help to moisturize and heal the sores.

Oatmeal. Use the powder oatmeal in warm water to form a paste and apply on sores and after half an hour wipe with a clean cloth. It will cause to reduce the itchiness.

Stress is also a cause of skin disorders. So remain calm and try to manage the anxiety and stress.

Care in diet:

1.    Avoid spicy food

2.    Avoid acidic food

3.    Avoid Acidic drinks

4.    Avoid Hop peppers

5.    Avoid Salsa

6.    Avoid citrus fruit

7.    Avoid Tomatoes

8.    Avoid Alcohol

9.    Avoid smoking.