Conditions
Lichen Planus
A member of the lichen family of skin conditions, lichen planus is a non infectious rash that affects mainly the limbs, mouth, nails, scalp and genitals, but rare cases where the oesophagus and tear ducts are affected are known. The rash normally takes the form of itchy raised red or purple bumps, medically called papules, that measure around 3-5mm but can be up to 1cm in some cases. Sometimes the papules can also appear to have white streaks which indicate the ‘Wickham’s striae’ form of the disease, or thicker scaly patches normally around the ankles which indicate hypertropic lichen planus. When nails are affected, the skin becomes thin and grooved and in the mouth white patches can form. The cause of the condition is unknown, but recent medical thinking has linked it to an overactive immune system, triggered by a virus, which causes an excess of protein to be produced resulting in the skin becoming inflamed. Lichen planus could also occur as a reaction to certain types of medication such as gold injections and antimalarial tablets, as well as being linked to liver conditions such as hepititus.
It is estimated that one in fifty people are affected by lichen planus. It more commonly occurs in the over 40s, with the oral strain affecting more women than men. There is no definite cure for lichen planus, but treatments are available that can control the symptoms whichcorticosteroid creams, antihistamine creams and ultra-violet light. Corticosteroid creams are applied directly to the rash but treatment must be stopped once the colour of the rash changes from red or purple to brown or grey. Immune suppressant medication can be used in cases where it is thought that an overactive immune system is the cause and in severe cases corticosteroid or acitretin tablets can be prescribed on a short-term basis. In 50% of cases the rash clears up after six to eight months of it initially appearing, and in 85% of cases the rash disappears within eighteen months. However, erosive lichen planus can last for a very long time and causes painful ulcers in the mouth and genitals. In cases where lichen planus affects the mouth (oral lichen planus), mild symptoms often do not need to be treated but more severe cases normally require mouthwashes, corticosteroid sprays or tablets. Also, for one in five sufferers lichen planus reoccurs in the future, with a small number of people being affected several times by the condition over their lifetime.
More information about Lichen Planus is available through the Lichen Planus Support Group >
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ive recently been diagnosed with LP..i have it on my wrists, torso, lower legs, ankles and allover my back..Dr gave me cortison mixed with a anti-irratant cream.. i applied this twice a day until the purple liasons went flat.. now i use A-DERMA emoilent cream from boots which is fantastic.. i apply this after shower and b4 i sleep...or whnever i feel a little itchy... it helps keep the LP under control.. i also use 2 take inhestamine pills. which i stopped due to feeling too drowsy.. *** had an injection containing cortison, which helps bring the rash and papules down.. it lasts 10days, u cant have salt and sugar tho..
I have had lp for just over a year. Was first diagnosed by my dentist and still have a very painful mouth. I have been given no treatment for the condition but thankfully dont have a great deal of irritation other than some spots on my legs which itch if i dont put cream onthem. i find e45 very soothing and more recently found green tea helps the sore patches in my mouth. of the doctors i have seen my dentist has been most helpful in suggesting referrals to oral consultants who specialise in the condition. i have not seen one yet but am considering this. i have also been diagnosed diabetic, have ongoing aneamia and low blood pressure and wonder whether there is a link. this coupled with pancreatitus may have triggered the lp. i often dispare as no one appears to be able to help with the cause which i dont accept cannot be found as this came right out of the blue. i sympathise with you all and just hope we can find some relief.
Hi all, I have had this for a few years been to the GP and they said its inflation under the skin then a demotologist told me what it was any way I had one white spot (like a skin tag) on my bum line, and have a long rash type which is white in my vagina area, I am 28 and very scared when my husband has sex with me, is there anything I can do to cut these things off?? Pls help
Hi aI have had Lichen Planus on the bottom half of my legs for the last 8yrs. It is getting me down now with the constant itching. I have a cream off the doctor but it does'nt seem to do any good. I also get it in my mouth and have now been prescribed a mouth wash. Is there any cure and will it ever go.I am too embarrassed to go out in the summer with shorts on.. can anyone help
Hi, I am 27 years old and I have been suffering from LP for 12 years. It has been coming and go away for years. My dermatologist has been prescribing me with thinning creams(steroids) for the infected areas. The LP does go away but comes back every few years and i just go back and get the same treatment. The ointment is called Desoximetasone Topical. I used it twice a day.
I was diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosis a year ago. I have been using topical steroid creams to ease the inflammation and itch in the genital region. These creams have their obvious mal-affects and are providing extremely limited relief. My consultant has advised me that the next option would be an oral steroid treatment which I am very reluctant to undertake. I understand that finding a treatment is a matter of trial and error and I was wondering if anyone could advise an alternative treatment to steroids? Thank you, Karen
Hi Karen I have had lichen sclerosus for at least 3 years, 2 of which were undiagnosed. Used everything to stop itching, just to get a full nights sleep. Dr. gave me steroid creams but that seemed to spread it. Have discovered wheatgrass, it comes in a tube. Can be used on broken skin and is not harmful. Stops itching in its tracks. My lichen is in my vulva so itching is not only a pain but embarrassing. My skin was red raw from constant scratching through the night, hence little sleep. Wheatgrass not only soothes but stops itching all through night. Try it. It wont get rid of the lichen as we now have it forever, but it has made life bearable for me and I want to shout it from the roof tops. Go on the internet to search for it. All natural ingredients. Good luck. Andi
I have LP on my wrist, ankles and legs. Its really getting me down now. Thankfully not in my month or thou recently I have got in on my foreskin. I have tried all sorts of creams and nothing works. I thought it may be that my immune system is low and have been taking tables to boost this until I looked on here and it looks like I shouldn't be doing this.
I have had lichen simplex in my scalp since I was 12, I'm now 28. I have been using Elocon scalp lotion which is a steroid and it pretty much clears it up, but eventually it flares up again possibly due to stress. I'm glad it's hidden but I always have flakes from itching.just wondered if anyone else has the condition in their scalp and if they can recommend anything?
Hi, I had LP on my feet, legs, wrists and i still have a little in my mouth. My GP sent me to a dermatologist who gave me a pot of runny petroleum jelly which i had to apply every night before bed, rubbing it in the affected areas (not my mouth)and wrapping them in cling film. It took about a month of this process, but i would say i am free of LP apart from the marks it has left behind, which look like freckles. That was a couple of years ago and so far so good. I hope this helps some of you.
My mum has Lycheum Sclerosis also but for yrs she suffered with psoriasis (and now diabetes) her GP said it is all related to psoriasis and stress and to try coal tar hairwash externally along with steroid creams/pessaries when really bad. She said that bathing in epson salts or rock salt water to neutralise, condition and ease the symptoms as regularly as possible helped no end. (A plastic bowl that fits in the toilet seat and filled 3/4 full and sitting on it like a homemade bidet was best). Alkaline food also helped as LS was also beleived to be similar to causes of gout. Also mum uses aloe Vera gell as it can ease the burning and itching. Well all the best and hope you find this input useful.
I have this condition for about 7 to 8 years.One time in begening I had rash all over my body then slowly improved leaving dark spots on my skin all over body. Now only on my both legs with blisters half inches in diameter with purpel boils. My G P has given me verious creams, lotions,teblets,nothing working effectivly.I fill that it is going and all swels up again. It dries up in warm weather.I am realy sick withit. Can you help me please, and please get rid of it.
I have been diagnosed for having LP as it has been on and off for nearly 7 years. My latest medication is formulated Propylene Glycol 40% in Dermovate Cream (for external use only). I used this in the night with special moist bandage over night (with white cream) and Epaderm ointment on the affected areas in the day as advised. This treatment seemed to have gotten read of the LP on my lower limbs but then re-occurred again after 6 months. This may help for a short period because it has helped me for only a short period. I am now looking for one-off eradication of this awful skin disease. Any help?
I diagnosed myself with LP 8 years ago. The dermatologist said it was Ezcema until I demanded a biopsy. One day it just appeared all over my body. I had UVB light therapy treatment which helped heal the lesions a lot but left dark scars. * years on it has come back in patches on my bum, arms, ankles, wrists and inner thighs. It's getting me down too because everyone they fade it leaves a dark scar. I am hoping for UVB treatment again. If you are lucky enough to have private healthcare you will get the UVB treatment hopefully depending on how bad it is. On the NHS it has to be severe before you get treated. Good luck!
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