LICHEN PLANUS

LICHEN PLANUS
What is lichen planus?
Lichen planus is a chronic, non-infectious, inflammatory condition that can affect skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. On the skin, lichen planus usually appears as purplish, often itchy, flat-topped bumps, developing over several weeks. In the mouth, vagina and other areas covered by a mucous membrane, lichen planus forms lacy white patches, sometimes with painful sores. Lichen planus is a skin rash triggered by the immune system. It’s not known why the immune response occurs. There may be several contributing factors. Potential causes include:
• viral infections
• allergens
• stress
• genetics
Sometimes lichen planus occurs along with autoimmune disorders. Anyone can get lichen planus. It is most common in middle-aged adults.
CAUSES: lichen planus is an autoimmune disease. This means the person’s immune system reacts as though the skin and other parts of the body are foreign. When this happens, the body starts to attack itself. In some people, certain factors, such as those below, may trigger lichen planus.
• Hepatitis C infection
• Flu vaccine
• Certain pigments, chemicals and metals
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others)
• Certain medications for heart disease, high blood pressure or arthritis
Symptoms :
SKIN: 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
• 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
• Pain, especially on the genitals. The skin can be bright red and raw. Open sores can appear. These can make sex painful or impossible.
Mouth (oral lichen planus): Patches of tiny white dots and lines that can look like lace.
• Redness and swelling.
• Peeling on the gums.
• Painful sores (can hurt or burn).
NAILS: Ridges or grooves on the nails.
• Splitting or thinning.
• Loss of nails (can be temporary or permanent).
SCALP:Redness and irritation.
• Tiny bumps.
• Thinning hair or patches of hair loss.
• Scars (appear slowly).
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT: for lichen planus is safe and natural. Homoeopathic medicines works well in auto-immune disorders as it boost the immune system and monitors or rather, protects the reaction of immune system towards its own body cells.
SULPHUR is one of the best selected remedies for lichen planus of skin with drysness and papules. The skin is very dirty and unhealthy. There is excessive itching, so much so that patient scratch till it bleeds. Most attacks are in spring season. There is burning in palms and soles.
SULPHUR IOD is indicated for Lichen Planus of face and arms. The face and arms are covered with papular eruptions. There is constant itching.
THUJA is indicated for lichen planus with hyperpigmented brown-coloured spots. The spots are marked on the face, hands and arms.
Anthrakokali is indicated for Lichen Planus with eruptions on hands and feet. The papules may also cover scrotum in males. Intense itching in the papular eruptions is always present. It shows a great healing in lichen planus cases when the dominant site is skin over tibia one.
MERC SOL is one of the best remedies for oral lichen planus. There are irregular ulcers inside the cheeks, edges are not well defined. Cheeks appear unhealthy and dirty. There is increased salivation and offensive smell from mouth. Some patients may feel metallic taste in the mouth. There is increased thirst for water.
BORAX is indicated for oral lichen planus when there is ulcers inside cheeks and on the tongue. There is extreme dryness of mouth along with bitter taste in mouth. There is excessive heat in mouth.