How to Treat Lichen Planus

Lichen Planus can affect various parts of your body. There is an erosive form of Lichen Planus that can cause ulcers that can be extremely painful and reoccur. Your mouth may be irritated and it may be difficult to eat. This skin rash can cause itching, that can be severe. The worst part is that this rash can occur anywhere in the body. Anyone can develop this skin disorder at any time. Some people may see this itchy rash after using a certain medication. Allergic reactions can also mimic this dermatological condition. Patients that have undergone a liver transplant are also susceptible to Lichen Planus. There are also cases where the cause of Lichen Planus can not be found. It may disappear as quickly as it started. If you have been afflicted with this skin rash, here are some ways to cope with it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aveeno
• Cold compresses
• Hydrocortisone
• Anti-histamines
• Oral steroids

1. Use Aveeno in the bath tub. This will help relieve the itching and inflammation.

2. Apply compresses that are cold to the area that is inflamed. It will help to control the inflammation.

3. Apply any ointment that contains hydrocortisone.

4. Another helpful method that can help you combat this rash, is using antihistamine. Highly recommended is Benadryl, which can be bought over the counter. If the over-the-counter medications aren’t helping, ask your physician for a prescription strength antihistamine. Hydroxizine is often given for allergy conditions and will make you drowsy. This side effect can be beneficial if you have been having a tough time adhering to your sleep schedule because of the itching.

5. For inflammation that is severe, physicians often prescribe steroids. While this is a controversial treatment, steroids are great for treating inflammation.

6. Steroids are also given orally when Lichen Planus has attacked the inside of the cheeks, tongue, or gums. Ulceration in the sensitive lining of the mouth can occur. Sometimes Lichen Planus is noticed at a dentist visit. Patients may not have any symptoms other than white dots or streaks in the inside of the cheek.

7. Commonly found in the oral area along with Lichen Planus, is a yeast infection. When the infection is treated first, your symptoms may improve dramatically.

8. Prognosis is guarded when the area under the tongue is affected. This may increase your chance of developing oral cancer.

Tips & Warnings

• Average episode of Lichen Planus lasts on average about seven months. During this time, your physician will monitor your symptoms for any abnormal changes in the skin.
• If symptoms are only mild, then remedies such as those listed above should be sufficient to treat this rash.