Table of Contents
What is Lichen Planus?
It is an autoimmune condition in which there is a chronic recurrent rash that is due to inflammation.
Rash is characterized by small,flat topped,many sided bumps that can grow together into rough,scaly plaques on the skin. Lichen Planus is a long standing (chronic), recurring, non-allergic, non-infectious, non-contagious disease of the skin, of which the exact cause is not yet fully understood.
There may also be rash in the lining (mucous membrane) of mouth and vagina.
Females are more frequently affected as compared to male
Causes of Lichen Planus
It is considered to be an autoimmune disease in which the body’s protective cells attack the body’s own tissues mistaking them to be foreign in nature. Lichen Planus is found to be an immunologically mediated disease. The exact cause of Lichen Planus is not very clearly understood. Some triggers have been found which are clinically found to be responsible for Lichen Planus
Triggering factors are:
- Hepatitis C infection
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Flu vaccine
- Certain pigments,chemicals and metals
- NSAIDs
Some drugs, such as those containing arsenic, bismuth, or gold, can produce an eruption which appears identical to lichen planus. Exposure to certain chemicals used in the development of color photographs can also produce a similar rash. The long-term use of the drugs quinacrine or quinidine(Quinidine Gluconate, Quinidine Sulfate), which is used for malaria, certain microscopic organisms, and worms, may produce hypertrophic lichen planus of the lower legs and other skin and body-wide (systemic) disturbances. Lichenoid eruptions can occur in graft-versus-host disease in people who have received bone marrow transplants. Tissue examination by a pathologist (biopsy) would be necessary distinguish lichenoid drug eruptions from classical lichen planus, which is not caused by medication. Of course, stopping the offending drug is associated with resolution of the eruption.
Symptoms of Lichen Planus
-Slow onset
-Purpulish or flat topped bumps,most often on the inner forearm,wrist or ankle but sometimes on external genitals.
Rough,oily look of lesions
-Itching
-Bleeding may be present on scratching
-White spots or patches in the mouth (inside the cheeks or on the gums,lips or tongue),burning in mouth while eating spicy food.
-Painful oral or vaginal ulcers
-Hair loss and scalp discoloration
-Nail damage or loss
Lichen planus affecting nails-
It can affect nails in about 10% cases.The majority of nail changes results from damage to the nail matrix or nail root,Commonly two or three fingernails or toenails are involved.Nail changes are;
- Longitudinal ridging and grooving
- Pitting
- Nail thinning
- Fragile
- Brown discoloration
- Depression of the nail plate
- Inflammation of proximal nail folds which becomes erythematous
- Skin of fingertips shows a honeycomb appearance due to multiple,small,punctuate and hyperkeratotic depressions.
Types of Lichen Planus
1.Lichen planus hypertrophicus-It manifests as large, itchy, voilaceous ,hyperkeratotic papules and plaques on the anterior surface of legs.
2.Lichen planus atrophicus-It presents as an annular area having atrophic,hyperigmented centre and active erythematous 1-2mm thick,raised border.usually seen on the face and dorsum of hands.
3.Lichen plano-pilaris-It manifests as itchy,violaceous papules present at the openings of hair follicles.It results in loss of hairs.Commonly seen on legs and arms.
4.Actinic lichen planus-In this annular grouped micropapular lesions are situated on the exposed parts of body like extensor sufaces of forearms and hands.They are aggravated on exposure to sunlight.
5.Linear lichen planus-In this lesions of are distributed in a linear fashion.
6.Bullous lichen planus-In this bullse are situated on the voilaceous base resembling lichen planus.
Diagnosis of Lichen Planus
1.Biopsy-During a punch biopsy test there is removal of small section of skin which is then examined under a microscope for cell patterns characterstics of lichen planus.
2.Hepatitis C test-to determine is patient suffering from Hepatitis C,a possible triggering for lichen planus.
3.Allergy test-To see any allergic reaction,which is a triggering factor for lichen planus.
Treatment for Lichen Planus
-Corticosteroids such as Prednisone or Metronidazole
-Retinoids
-Nonsteroidal creams or ointments
-Antihistamines
-Phototherapy
Homeopathic treatment for Lichen Planus
Homeopathic medicines for Lichen Planus act on the body at the level of immunity and restore the deviated function. They also help to control the symptoms of Lichen Planus without any side effects. Welling Homeopathy treatment for Lichen Planus is a tried and tested protocol to offer long term relief and permanent cure gradually.
The Homeopathic medicines for Lichen Planus have to be specific to every individual person. That is the reason a detailed history is required to customise the treatment for Lichen Planus. The Homeopathic treatment for Lichen Planus is chalked out after a detailed analysis and review of your past treatments for Lichen Planus and medicines for Lichen Planus taken by you.
With continued treatment you will notice, reduction in the patches and symptoms like itching and burning.
Homeopathic medicines for Lichen Planus
Bell.,Bry.,Nux-v.,Puls.,Gels.,Iris.,Sang-can.,Spig.
Get Cured !!
Specially formulated Homeopathy medicines, available exclusively at Welling Clinics can be very effective to cure IBS and prevent complications.
Meet our experts today to know more about the Lichen Planus treatment and how you too can live a pain-free life after Welling Homeopathy treatment for Lichen Planus
