Find Out More About The Disease Known As Lichen Planus

By Loren Yost


Having lesions on your skin and around the mouth? You must be having lichen planus. The areas of the body where the skin lesions appear most in are the torso, legs and even around the wrists. A lot of itching is involved. Skin injuries make these lesions appear. If you look at the skin lesions, they can either appear singly or clustered together. Skin lesions that are clustered together do not look at all pleasing to the eye. Some papules could reach up to 2 cm. In some cases, it can even be up to 4 cm. All these papules can then form a group and then develop into a small lesion which has a flat top. Both sides of the skin are going to be vulnerable to this infection. Blisters could also develop. When ulcer occurs, the pain can be unbearable. Thus treatment has to be surely started at this point of time. The other symptoms will include ridge formation in the nail region, loss of hair and so on. A metallic taste in the mouth is also another symptom experienced by some people. There will also be dry mouth.

If you are having mouth lesions, expect to have extreme discomfort. The skin lesions are often found on either side of the cheek or either side of the tongue. Ulcer can also happen and you should expect a lot of pain from it. You might also find spots that look like pimples and are colored blue-white. That is considered to be one of the classic symptoms of lichen planus. You will have to deal with ugly-looking lines of lesions. The would also grow larger in time.

When will a doctor's expertise be needed? A doctor's expertise would be needed when you notice that these symptoms are refusing to go away after a very long time. They would also have to consulted immediately once you notice characteristic changes on the skin lesions.

What treatment options are to be used for lichen planus? The first order of business in treating lichen planus would be to reduce the number of skin lesions that are appearing all over the body. There is no need for special medications if the symptoms are not so bad. Antihistamines may be necessary if the symptoms are actually severe.

You may also use any of the many immune suppressing drugs out there. Cyclosporine is used as one such drug. The type of treatment will also be influenced by the actual location of the skin lesions being treated. In many instances, these skin lesions could be appearing all over large areas of your skin, or in some cases they can even be in your mouth. Talking to people and even the act of chewing will become an ordeal when you have lesions in your mouth. You should give Lidocaine moutwashes a shot. The area around the mouth will go numb. The pain will not be felt. You will be able to eat in comfort. In some cases, ultraviolet therapy is also highly recommended. Doctors are also likely to suggest using oral retinoids. Acitretin is an oral retinoid that is often recommended.




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