Lichen planus can be described as an inflammatory disorder that affects your mucus membranes and skin. When this condition affects your skin it appears in the form of purplish and flat-topped bumps, which can be very itchy at times. On the mucus membranes like the vagina or mouth, the inflammation is characterized by sores or lacy-white patches that are quite painful.
Lichen planus occurs when your immune system attacks the healthy cells on your skin and mucus membranes. While anybody can develop this skin disorder, it is more commonly seen in middle-aged people. Lichen planus is not contagious, which means that it cannot be passed on from one person to another through personal contact.
There are no cures for this disorder, but it can be controlled with the help of simple and natural remedies. Though lichen planus is not very serious, is should be treated by a doctor without any delay. Left unchecked, this condition may increase risks of specific types of cancer, such as oral cancer, vulvo-vaginal cancer, penile carcinoma and squamous cell cancer.
Causes
The exact causes for lichen planus are still not clear but health experts believe that this disorder may be related to allergic or immune reactions. Some of the factors that may be responsible for triggering off this condition include:
Symptoms
Lichen planus symptoms may vary depending upon the body part it affects. When the lesions appear on the skin, they are generally located on the legs, torso, genitals, back, neck or inner wrist. They have sharp borders and are also usually:
In some cases, the skin lesions further develop into blisters or ulcers. Your skin may have some dark brownish discoloration for a while even after the lesions disappear.
In case of oral lichen planus, you will develop tender and painful lesions in the mouth instead of the skin. They are often located on the inside of your cheeks or along the sides of your tongue. At times, the lesions may also appear on the gums.
In addition to the lesions, you may experience other signs and symptoms of lichen planus, which include:
Since lichen planus is a long-term disorder, its symptoms may last for months, or even years, without getting any worse.
Treatment
Lichen planus can last for anywhere between a couple of months and several years. This disorder can get cured without any medical intervention but it is necessary to undergo treatment, to promote skin healing. The traditional treatment of lichen planus usually includes:
Very often, the treatment for this disorder is aimed at controlling the causes and triggers. In addition to medication, there are a few self-care steps that can help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of lichen planus, which include:
You could also try a few natural remedies for treating the discomfort caused by the condition, such as:
There is no clinical evidence to prove that these home and natural remedies are effective in managing lichen planus. It is therefore important to check with a doctor before trying any of them.
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