Lichen Planus No More: Discover the Benefits of Homeopathy Medicines

Lichen planus is a lichenoid dermatosis that affects the skin, hair, nails, mouth and genitals. It appears as purple, itchy, flat bumps in the skin that develop over several weeks. In the mouth and genital mucosa, it seems like lacy white patches, sometimes with painful sores. Lichen planus skin looks like some rash made up of small, discoloured dots that are typically less than 1 cm wide.

A mild type of lichen planus of the skin might not need any medication. If there are pain symptoms or intense itching, it must be treated immediately. For most people, it resolves without treatment. Some medicines can alleviate related symptoms, including itching.

Lichen planus is not an autoimmune condition but can cause a similar response. It’s an idiopathic condition that causes inflammation of the skin.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the intensity and part of the body affected such as:

• Purplish, shining raised eruptions on the inner side of the forearms, wrists, and ankles.
• Linear rashes in the areas where the skin got scratched.
• Thick white layered patch on the tongue or inside of the cheeks.
• Intense itching.
• Sores in the mouth or genitals
• that are very painful.
• Scarring or loss of nails due to infection.
• Dark streaks from the tip of the nail to the base.

When to see a doctor

Get help if the symptoms related to lichen planus of the mouth, genitals, scalp or nails are very painful and itchy.

It is best to get a fast and proper diagnosis because several skin and mucous membrane conditions can cause sores and pain.

Causes

The skin condition is not contagious, but the cause of the condition may be related to the immune system attacking skin cells or mucous

membranes. The apparent reason for this irregular immune response is unknown. Some of the triggering factors are as follows:

• Hepatitis C.
• Vaccines.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Particular medications treat arthritis, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
• Specific chemicals, metals, or pigments.
• Depression.
• Use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs

Some of the problems faced by people with Lichen Planus are:

• Low self-esteem.
• Anxiety and stress
• Feeling overwhelmed due to peer pressure.
• Difficulty in concentration.
• Irritability with mood swings.

Some conditions or symptoms that can make your lichen planus symptoms worse include:

• Nausea and dizziness.
• Aversion to sex.
• Somnolence or sleeplessness.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Muscle tension with pains.

Also Read Homeopathy for Skin Rashes: 10 Effective Remedies to Try

Risk factors

Lichen planus affects people of all age groups and sex. Middle-aged adults are most often affected. Lichen planus in the mouth is more common in women than in men.

Complications

Lichen planus that develop on the vulva and in the vagina are difficult to treat and may lead to scarring and severe pain due to scratching. These sores on the genitals can make sex very painful.

The affected skin and nails may become slightly darker even after healing.

Sores on the mouth can affect the ability to eat. Oral lichen planus is one of the risk factors for oral cancer. It rarely affects the ear canal, which, when left untreated, may lead to hearing loss.

Diagnosis

It can be diagnosed by assessing the symptoms and conducting a thorough physical examination. The characteristics, symptoms and signs known as the “six Ps” that help diagnose Lichen planus are:

• Pruritic, polygonal, papular, purplish plaques with rashes on the skin.

Diagnostic tests done to confirm Lichen planus are:

• Skin allergy test.
• Biopsy of the plaques.
• Hepatitis-C test.

Also Read 5 Best Homeopathic Remedies for Skin Problems

Management and Treatment

There is no proper cure for lichen planus. In most cases, it goes away without treatment in a few months. In lichen planus of mouth cases, it clears away within five years.

• If the person is affected by irritation from sores, the symptoms can be alleviated by:
• Practising oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing the teeth and gums
• Reducing injuries to the mucosa of the mouth and cheeks can decrease the severity of sores and flare-ups.
• Regular filling and replacement of
• Dental procedures can reduce the allergic response to oral sores and alleviate irritation.

Prognosis

Lichen planus is a long, chronic remitting and relapsing condition. The lichen planus of the skin tends to clear within a couple of years in most people, but the scars and pigmentation take years to clear.

The oral lichen planus persists for a longer duration. In the case of lichen planopilaris, the post-inflammatory scars leave permanent marks along with scarring alopecia.

How to ease lichen planus at home

Some of the things to do to help ease this condition at home in general are:

• Avoid fragrant soaps and gels that exacerbate the scaling of the eruptions.
• Try to use more emollients regularly.
• Sedatives may help with severe nocturnal itching.

Lichen planus on the skin

• Wash the parts with warm water
• Avoid using soaps and body washes on the affected parts
• Wash the hair over a sink so that the shampoo does not affect the rest of the skin
• Use a soft moisturizing cream on the rash
• Avoid scratching the sores on the skin

Lichen planus on the genital area

• It is better to take showers than proper baths
• Place some ice cubes wrapped in a clean cloth over the affected areas to reduce itching and swelling.
• Stop wearing tight, close-fitting clothes to reduce irritation of the skin.
• Carefully wash and pat dry the parts after using the washroom to reduce the chances of urine contacting the sores on the skin.
• Avoid rubbing and scratching the area.
• Use some soft lubricant if the sex is painful.

Lichen planus in the mouth

• Avoid salty, spicy, acidic foods and alcohol as they may irritate the mouth.
• Brush twice a day to keep the teeth and gums healthy
• Use a genteel mouthwash with no alcohol in it.

Homeopathic treatment to treat Lichen planus

Homoeopathic medicine is given based on the patient’s individuality, disease, cause, spread, area affected, genetic tendency, mindset, etc. The treatment plans thus designed are addressed towards correcting the immune system, in turn treating Lichen Planus from within.

1. Sulphur is indicated for individuals with dry, scaly, and unhealthy skin. Skin ailments in these skin types are usually associated with a lot of itching and burning. This particular remedy is best suited for weak individuals who are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and individuals who are mostly irritated and depressed.
2. Apis mellifica is suitable when burning and swelling of the rashes occur. These also cure the prickly heat rashes.
3. Natrum mur can be helpful in case of dry eruptions occurring on the bends of the joints and on the margins of hairy scalps.
4. Borax for blisters that mostly appear in the mouth. It is suited for oral lichen planus, which is unhealthy for the skin. The mouth’s mucus membrane is red and easily bleeds during eating or when touched with a hot mouth.
5. Arsenicum Iodatum is a good remedy for skin conditions like lichen planus, eczema, and psoriasis, where marked itching and exfoliation occur. There is exfoliation of large scales, which leaves behind raw, exuding surfaces.
6. Ignatia is helpful in lichen planus involving the genital area. Itching, nettle-rash. Very sensitive to the draught of air. Excoriation, especially around the vagina and mouth.
7. Thuja is indicated for chronic cases of lichen planus. It is a tendency to have unhealthy skin in general. Dry skin with brown patches. Tendency to sweat profusely with a sweetish, strong smell. Nails crippled, brittle and soft.
8. Arsenicum Album is effective in cases of Lichen Planus with blue, dry, rough, and scaly eruptions with intense itching. It helps in the later stages where the plaques have resolved, but the underlying skin has hardened, and it can also treat cases of scalp Lichen Planus.
9. Sulphur Iod is ideal for treating Lichen Planus cases of the face and arms affected by itching and papular eruptions.
10. Merc Sol is beneficial for oral Lichen Planus cases, addressing irregular ulcers inside the cheeks, increased saliva, and foul mouth odour. Use low potencies like 30C when taking Merc Sol.
11. Kali Iodatum is ideal for Lichen Planus cases featuring dry, papular eruptions, particularly on the legs, with itching increased at night or from heat exposure.
12. Anthrakokali is a rare but powerful natural remedy treating Lichen Planus cases where hands and feet are affected by papular eruptions and intense itching.