{"id":1336,"date":"2022-10-18T07:58:53","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T07:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/?p=1336"},"modified":"2022-10-25T08:10:00","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T08:10:00","slug":"everything-you-should-know-about-lichen-planus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/everything-you-should-know-about-lichen-planus\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Should Know About Lichen Planus"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lichen planus is a rare skin condition that causes inflammation and rashes on your skin, inside the mouth, scalp, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sometimes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">genitals. Whether you or a loved one are dealing with lichen planus and want to learn more about this condition, this article is perfect for you. Of course, reach out to professionals for expert evaluation and guidance. We recommend consulting with <\/span><a href=\"\/new-age-womens-health\/vulvovaginal-disorders-sexual-dysfunction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sexual Health Specialists in Miami<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">for the best results.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here is everything you<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> need to know about lichen planus, including the symptoms, common causes, diagnosis, and treatment methods.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is Lichen Planus?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1338 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus.jpg\" alt=\"Middle Age Grey-haired Man Wearing Dermatologist Uniform Examining Skin Arm Using Loupe at Dermatology Clinic\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Lichen-Planus.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned, lichen planus is a relatively uncommon inflammatory skin disorder that can trigger a rash on several parts or one specific body area. It affects roughly 1-2% of the population. Some experts consider lichen planus to be an autoimmune disease as the underlying cause involves the patient\u2019s own immune system attacking portions of the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Areas of the body that are usually affected include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oral mucosa or the inside of the mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nails<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Genitals (vulva, vagina, or penis)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scalp<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A patient experiencing lichen planus symptoms will also have involvement of the vulva or vagina up to 50% of the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vulvar lichen planus, or lichen planus that involves the vulva, has four different subtypes that are currently described. One such type is called erosive lichen planus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have any questions or concerns about your health and lichen planus on the skin, consult with professionals immediately. We suggest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Age Women&#8217;s Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the best professionals in the industry. Receive an expert diagnosis and the best treatment possible for a faster healing process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Top Symptoms of Lichen Planus<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are the most common symptoms of lichen planus to keep in mind. Be aware that the symptoms will depend on where the condition has manifested in the body:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nails with discoloration, splitting or cracking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Small white dots can develop on the patient&#8217;s skin, tongue, lips, or inside the cheeks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Small raised dots can develop on the skin, including the patient&#8217;s genitals (for instance, this can be vaginal or vulvar lichen planus). The dots are about 0.4mm in size but can grow up to 1cm. Sometimes, the dots can become sores.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is not a painful skin condition. However, it can become uncomfortable and painful if the patient scratches rashes. Moreover, if the skin is broken and infected, some pain may be involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lichen Planus Causes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The exact cause of lichen planus is unknown. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0That being said, some of the following can cause flares to occur. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaccines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis C<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some medications for arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some pigments, metals, and chemicals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep in mind that this is not a contagious disease. So, you cannot spread it to another individual through skin-to-skin contact or unprotected sexual intercourse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lichen Planus vs. Psoriasis: Differences<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Psoriasis and lichen planus are both skin diseases that can lead t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">o discoloration and uncomfortable rashes. However, psoriasis is unique because it usually does not af<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fect the inside of the patient&#8217;s mouth. Moreover, psoriasis is typically scaly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lichen Planus vs. Lichen Sclerosus: Differences<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lichen sclerosus and lichen planus are similar skin conditions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and both are idiopathic, meaning that the exact cause is unknown. Both conditions usually affect the mucus membranes. However, there are a few things that make them diffe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">r. For instance, lichen sclerosus rarely affects a patient&#8217;s oral mucous membranes. Additionally, while both can affect the vulva, only lichen planus can affect the inside of the vagina. Lichen sclerosus only affects the vulva or the skin outside of the vagina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Who Is at Risk of Lichen Planus?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anyone is at risk of lichen planus on the skin. However, women between the ages of 30 and 60 are at higher risk of getting this skin disorder. According to some studies, female patients may get lichen planus on the skin twice as often as their male counterparts. Moreover, females have a higher chance of developing this sk<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in condition in their 50s and 60s. On th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">e other hand, male patients in their 40s are at higher risk of getting the disorder. Patients with this skin disease are up to 75 percent more likely to have oral lichen planus.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Does Lichen Planus Affect the Body?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases, lichen planus affects the skin around t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he patient&#8217;s ankles and wrists. Around 50 percent of patients with this condition develop oral lichen planus, a variation of the illness which affects the tongue and the inside of the mouth. In its early stages, patients experience lesions or spots. These are small, raised dots or papules, approximately 0.4 millimeters in size. In some cases, they can grow up to 1 centimeter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Typically, oral lichen planus begins as a small white dot on the tongue or the inside of the cheeks. In more serious cases, the patient may also develop painful sores.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Diagnosis and Lichen Planus Treatment Options<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1339 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options.jpg\" alt=\"Friendly Dermatologist Examining Senior Woman\u2019s Skin Under Light\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/10\/Diagnosis-and-Lichen-Planus-Treatment-Options.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The diagnosis process will look similar whether you have oral or vaginal lichen planus. Firstly, the healthcare professional will assess your symptoms and conduct a thorough physical exam. The professional will check for characteristics that help diagnose this condition. These include something called the &#8220;four Ps&#8221;:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Purple papules or bumps<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pruritic (you experience itchiness)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Polygonal (the rash shape features sharp angles)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Plaques (discolored and raised patches of skin)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sometimes, the healthcare professional may want to perform other tests. For instance, you may need to undergo the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An allergy test to check what can be causing the flare-ups<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A biopsy to collect a tiny sample of the affected skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A test for Hepatitis C<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases of lichen planus not affecting the vulva or vagina, treatment is not required. However, there are some things you can do to ease symptoms of lichen planus and other forms of this skin condition. Here are some of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/17723-lichen-planus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">top treatment options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you may discuss with a professional:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Phototherapy (using ultraviolet light waves)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Antihistamines (to treat allergy symptoms such as skin itchiness)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Corticosteroid ointments, creams, or suppositories (to reduce inflammation)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Retinoids (to help the body create more collagen and alleviate the rash symptoms)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Immunosuppressants (to lower the immune system)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patients with oral lichen planus may also consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Practicing proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing the teeth regularly and visiting a dentist twice per year)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Minimizing trauma or injury (brushing the teeth gently, carefully removing piercings, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Replacing the dental fillings to avoid allergies<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Home remedies are also possible. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aloe vera to moisturize and treat painful sores<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oatmeal to soothe itchy skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decreasing stress by applying management techniques\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Give Us a Call Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reach out to professionals with years of experience in the health field. Book an appointment today and get started with your healing journey. Results are always guaranteed.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lichen planus is a rare skin condition that causes inflammation and rashes on your skin, inside the mouth, scalp, and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[205],"tags":[206,209,210,207,208],"class_list":["post-1336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-skin-health","tag-lichen-planus","tag-lichen-planus-causes","tag-lichen-planus-on-skin","tag-lichen-planus-treatment","tag-vaginal-lichen-planus"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1336"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1336\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}