Lichen planus is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder in which inflammatory cells attack an unknown protein within the skin and mucosal keratinocytes.
It is a common disease that causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) on your skin or inside your mouth.
Factors causing lichen planus may include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Stress (Physically and emotionally)
- Skin Injury
- Localized skin disease such as herpes zozter
- Systemic viral infection, such as hepatitis C
- Contact allergy, such as to metal fillings in oral lichen planus (rare) and colour photographic developers
- Drugs, gold, quinine, quinidine, and others can cause a lichenoid rash
Lichen planus is diagnosed clinically in most cases. A skin biopsy is often recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
- Avoid soaps and shower gels that will exacerbate scaling.
- Use emollients regularly.
- Sedating antihistamines may help you ease nocturnal itch.
Treatment is not always necessary as cutaneous LP can be self-limiting and treatment goals are to manage pruritus. Local treatments for the symptomatic cutaneous or mucosal disease are:
- Potent topical corticosteroids
- Topical immune modulators
- Topical retinoids
- Intralesional steroid injections.
Systemic treatment for widespread lichen planus or severe local disease often includes a 1- to 3-month course of systemic steroids (eg, prednisone), while commencing another agent from the following: Acitretin, Hydroxychloroquine, Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Mycophenolate mofetil, and immune modular, and Phototherapy.