Treatment of lichen planus in humans at home

Causes of lichen planus

There are many reasons why lichen planus occurs and actively spreads. The main reason is considered to be a sharp significant decrease in immunity. In addition, the following factors have been identified:

• Psycho-emotional state - people exposed to prolonged stress or strong emotional stress are considered a risk factor, the theory is supported by the fact that 70% of those infected with lichen planus have mental disorders;
• The presence of viruses and infections in the human body contributes to a decrease in the level of immunity;
• Genetic predisposition to the disease;
• People with hepatitis B or C;
• Frequent allergic reactions;
• Failure of metabolism;

In addition, a group of people with a predominant risk of infection has been identified:

• Age from 35 to 65 years;
• Women are more susceptible to infection than men;
• People who have injuries on the surface of the mucous membranes of the mouth;
• Patients with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract);
• The presence of helminthic infestations in the body has been established - that the presence of parasites in humans can cause various skin reactions.

Frequent lesions of the same places in contact with jewelry or clothing can also be a consequence of the development of lichen planus.

Despite the fact that this type of lichen is not considered contagious, it is worth treating infected people with caution, due to frequent cases of concomitant infections.

Diagnostics

Dermatologists have no problems diagnosing the disease. The clinical picture of the rash allows a diagnosis to be made. To differentiate in difficult cases, a histological examination is performed.

Read below about the most effective treatment for lichen planus.

Treatment of lichen planus is discussed in this video:

Types of lichen planus

Lichen planus is divided into stages:

1. Progressive - during this stage, new lesions appear.
2. Regressive - new lesions do not appear, but existing ones turn into plaques; peeling is inherent in this stage.
3. Remission.

In addition to the stages, there are subtypes of lichen planus :

• The typical form is plaques that are mostly scarlet in color, with a burgundy tint;
• Ring-shaped - the lesion grows, its elements are localized in the center. This form is more often observed in men - rings form in the groin area;
• Bullous (bubbly) - rare - blisters form on the dermis, around such blisters there are plaques, which can be small or large in size;
• Warty - papules form on the plaques, visually resembling warts;
• Pointed - ulcerative formations may be present, papules have a pointed shape;
• Erythematous - the spots become swollen and bright red in color, often localized on the body;
• Atrophic - can occur on the head, affecting the scalp, causing atrophic changes in the skin and baldness at the sites where lesions are detected;
• Erosive-ulcerative is the most complex form of lichen; it cannot be treated. Affects the mucous membranes of the genital organs;
• Exudative – predominantly localized on the surface of the mucous membranes in the oral cavity;
• Moniliform - most often affects the head, shaped like a pea, lesions in the form of beads.
• Zosteriformis - rashes form along the location of the nerves; therefore, lichen can be confused with a herpes rash.

Lichen planus brings great discomfort when it is localized on the mucous membranes of the genital organs. Causes disturbances in the sexual sphere, severe pain is observed.

After healing, scars may remain on the former lesions. The skin in these places is susceptible to pigmentation, and returns to normal over a long period of time.

You can see what lichen planus looks like in the photo.

Many dermatologists consider this type of lichen an autoimmune disease; this hypothesis is confirmed by the fact that patients diagnosed with lichen planus have autoimmune diseases - alopecia, vitiligo and others.

Treatment with traditional methods

Many examples are given that promise an unprecedented result and tell how to quickly treat lichen ruber in humans. Unfortunately, none of these methods are scientifically proven and often people can only observe a cure as a placebo effect.

“Dummy” and the power of human persuasion sometimes really work psychosomatically and the mechanism of healing by persuasion has not yet been studied. Nevertheless, in medical practice, albeit a little, there are still similar examples.

Try to avoid aggressive treatments such as applying hot objects or products containing acids and other similar substances. This will only make the situation worse, causing injury to the affected areas of the skin.

Popular folk remedies include:

• sea ​​buckthorn oil – has a wound-healing effect;
• birch tar is a remedy actively used in the treatment of psoriasis and other dermatitis;
• laundry soap - its natural composition does not damage the skin.

When using this or that technique, you need to focus on your own feelings. Allergic reactions and individual intolerance can appear at any time.

Symptoms of lichen planus

The main symptom of lichen planus is a feeling of severe itching, which can interfere with sleep and psychological health.

The main signs of lichen planus:

1. The rash appears above the level of healthy skin;
2. Basically, the rashes consist of single nodules, but they can be located close to each other, but do not merge into a single focus.
3. The surface of the plaque has a shiny surface, the center is sunken;
4. All neoplasms have a predisposition to keratinization;
5. If the rash sites are moistened with vegetable oil, then you can see the Wickham grid - a characteristic sign of lichen planus;
6. The rashes have a bright scarlet color, sometimes a purple tint.

The lesions can be localized even on the tongue, being in the oral cavity, the rashes are serous in color, take on various forms, are accompanied by painful sensations, and increase the risk of secondary infection.

In addition to the mucous membranes, the rash can affect the surface of the legs and arms, parts of the abdomen, and lower back. Cases of damage to the esophagus are very rare, but if this happens, it causes enormous harm to the patient - eating becomes difficult, due to the narrowing of the walls of the esophagus.

Some experts are inclined to believe that it is lichen planus that can cause the development of cancer of the esophagus and cervix in women.

Causes of formation and etiology

The combination of various factors is the main cause of the formation of the disease. Experts have not yet established a single cause for the development of lichen red; each patient has his own definitions.

Often, the sources of the disease remain unknown. But this does not prevent us from effectively dealing with the problem. And yet, for general education, it should be noted the main factors that in one way or another influence the development of the disease:

• predisposition (genetic or hereditary);
• characteristics of immunity;
• endogenous factors (neurology);
• sluggish and hidden viruses.

There is no etiotropic remedy that would help get rid of the disease once and for all. But there are techniques that allow you to maximize the period of remission.

Treatment of lichen planus

Before starting treatment for lichen planus, it is very important to first be completely examined, this will help identify somatic diseases.

The first thing to do is to eliminate the factors contributing to development:

• Cure diseased teeth, sanitize the oral cavity;
• It is necessary to eliminate hazards at work and at home;
• Examination by specialized specialists to exclude concomitant chronic diseases (cardiologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist);
• Eliminate stress;
• Eat right; doctors often recommend a diet.

Usually, to diagnose lichen planus, an examination by a dermatologist is sufficient, but additional tests may be prescribed to rule out syphilis and lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease).

After eliminating the development factors, treatment follows, including drug therapy with antibiotics. Treatment is the same for all age groups.

Additionally, corticosteroid ointments are used; they have an anti-inflammatory effect.

To improve metabolism, a vitamin complex is prescribed.

If ulcers and papules are damaged due to severe itching, ointments are prescribed that saturate the skin with oxygen and promote rapid healing to prevent infections.

Sometimes the doctor prescribes sedatives to restore psychological balance.

Sometimes phototherapy is used - the use of UV rays.

Unfortunately, lichen planus cannot always be cured; relapses are almost always observed after treatment is completed.

Treatment with folk remedies for lichen planus

For the treatment of many skin ailments, there are a huge number of folk recipes, but it is important to remember that only a specialist can choose the appropriate therapy, and for treatment it is important to first identify the factor and then eliminate it. You should not self-medicate; traditional methods should not be the main treatment, they should be an addition to the main treatment.

The main methods of combating lichen using folk methods include the use of herbal decoctions or the preparation of ointments, tinctures or solutions based on them.

Many fees can be purchased at the pharmacy.

List of plants with the best reviews for the treatment of lichen planus:

• Little sea buckthorn - used in the form of lotions, used for ulcers, boils and purulent abscesses. Sea buckthorn has regenerative properties.
• A decoction or tincture of calendula has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.
• Natural apple cider vinegar is rich in acids (lactic and acetic) that can affect fungi, destroying them, but you should be careful when using recipes using any acids; without consulting a doctor, you can cause damage and increase pain.
• Aloe – it contains many vitamins and amino acids that have a positive effect on the body, and is widely used in cosmetology.

Absolutely all folk remedies have their contraindications, so it is very important to consult with your doctor before using any remedy; do not self-medicate in order to avoid unpleasant consequences; incorrectly selected therapy can cause harm to health.

What are the risks for the sick person and his partner?

Whether it is possible to receive lichen as a “gift” through sexual contact with an infected person depends on the state of the person’s immunity, as well as on the type of disease. That is why such dermatoses are called conditionally infectious.

The most unpleasant ones on the list are the girdling and pink subspecies:

1. Shingles cannot be contracted through airborne droplets; close contact is required, especially sexual contact. Using the patient's personal belongings also threatens with bad consequences. But these warnings apply only to the stage of the disease when a new rash appears. If the blisters are covered with scabs, the disease automatically becomes non-contagious.
2. Due to little knowledge of the mechanism of activation of pityriasis rosea, it is not possible to accurately answer the question of its contagiousness. Therefore, it is assumed that this dermatosis is transmitted infrequently by contact. Doctors still recommend abstaining from sexual activity during illness, because sweat and water procedures are not the best companions for this dermatosis.

Expert opinion

• Cosmetologist
• Dermatologist

Anna Avaliani

practicing cosmetologist

As soon as you notice a strange rash on the skin or mucous membrane, you should go to the doctor. Don't delay with this. In the initial stages it is easier to cope with the disease. A dermatologist treats this pathology. But with lichen ruber, other organs are also affected. Given this, treatment must be comprehensive, which is why an endocrinologist, psychiatrist and other doctors are often involved.

Karen Beasley

dermatologist

There is no single scheme for getting rid of this type of lichen.
Treatment is selected individually for each patient. In addition, it is important to determine the exact cause, because concomitant pathologies may also have to be treated. Basically, in the initial stages it is easy to get rid of the lesions, but the problem is that the disease can recur. Therefore, you will have to constantly monitor your health. There is still not much information on this disease, although the problem affects many. Unfortunately, modern medical practice has not yet developed universal ways to solve the problem.

Medicine doesn’t even know where this disease comes from. The symptoms have been poorly studied, and there are no precautionary tips. There are only certain kinds of assumptions that do not apply to everyone.