Lichen Planus — Symptoms & Homeopathy Treatment

Lichen planus (Lie-Kun-Play-Nus) is a condition that can cause swelling and irritation in the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. It can affect any area of the body including the mouth, eyes, ears, scalp, food pipe, throat, anus, nails and genitalia. On the skin, lichen planus usually appears as purplish, itchy, flat bumps that develop over several weeks. In the mouth, vagina and other areas covered by the mucous membranes, lichen planus forms lacy white patches, sometimes with painful sores.

Lichen planus isn't a contagious skin disease. According to a research study by Journal of Traditional Medicine & Clinical Naturopathy (JTMCN), lichen planus is an immune system disorder, estimated to affect 0.5% to 2.0% of the general population. It is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting mucosal and cutaneous tissues of the body. Oral lichen planus occurs more frequently than the cutaneous form and tends to be more resistant to any treatment

Lichen Planus Symptoms

The signs and lichen planus symptoms may vary depending on the areas affected by this skin disease. Here are the various signs and symptoms compiled for you:

1. General symptoms
   • Flat reddish-purple swollen rashes, most often on the inner forearm, wrist or ankle, and sometimes the genitals
   • Itching
   • Blisters that break to form scabs or crusts
   • Lacy white patches in the mouth or on the lips or tongue
   • sores in the mouth or vagina
   • Hair loss
   • Change in scalp colour
   • Nail damage or loss.

Also read: https://www.drbatras.com/skin-diseases/lichen-planus

2. Oral Lichen planus
   • Includes mouth, gums, tongue and lips
   • Blue white spots mostly inside the cheeks, gums and sides of tongue/li>
   • or net like appearance of white lacy lines (Wickham's striae — the term was coined by Louis Frédéric Wickham in the year 1895. It refers to fine white lines or dots seen on the top of lichen planus.)
   • Redness, ulceration or erosion of inner surface of mouth
   • Dry mouth with metallic taste and burning sensation
   • Painful chewing.
3. Lichen planus of the nails
   • Ridges and grooves on the nails
   • Irregular longitudinal grooving
   • Thinning of nail surface and scar formation with altered cuticle
   • Atrophy of nail bed
   • Red streaks on nails
   • Subungual (under the finger or toe nail) hyper pigmentation.
4. Lichen planus scalp
   • Inflammation of hair follicles
   • Hair loss/bald patches
   • Scaly itchy papules on the scalp
   • Tiny red shiny papules around the hair follicles.
5. Lichen planus genitalia
   • Difficult and painful intercourse
   • Urethral stenosis causing difficulty in urination, itching on the genitalia
   • Painless or painful white streaks on the genitalia
   • Stricture at entrance of the vagina making intercourse painful (vagina can bleed during the act)
   • Skin lesions at the tip of the penis.
6. Other lichen skin
   • Lichen planus of the food pipe may cause pain and difficulty in swallowing
   • Lichen planus on eyelids, ear, anus can cause painful excoriation and erosion.

Lichen Planus Causes

Lichen planus occurs when the immune system attacks cells of the skin or mucous membranes. Lichen planus can be triggered by:

• Hepatitis C infection (viral infection that causes liver inflammation)
• Flu vaccination
• Certain pigments, chemicals and metals
• Certain pain relief medications
• Certain medications for heart disease, high blood pressure or arthritis.

Lichen Planus Risk factors

Anyone can develop lichen planus. But the skin condition most often affects middle-aged adults. Oral lichen planus affects middle-aged women more often than men.

Lichen Planus Complications

Lichen planus can be difficult to manage on the vulva (opening of the vagina) and in the vagina, causing severe pain and sometimes leaving scars. Sexual health can become a long-term complication. Oral lichen planus may affect your ability to eat. The affected skin might remain slightly dark even after the rash clears up, especially in dark-skinned people. Oral lichen planus increases the risk of oral cancer. Lichen planus of the ear canal may lead to hearing loss, if left untreated.

Also read: https://www.drbatras.com/freedom-leisons-lichen-planus-homeopathy