Lichen Planus…

Lichen planus is a skin disorder that forms like a rash anywhere on the body. It can even form on the mouth, on the sides of the tongue, or on the insides of the cheeks and on the gums. Lichen planus is not a serious disorder or disease and very often heals by itself. It is, however, good to get it checked with a medical practitioner if you have a similar rash anywhere on your body.

Symptoms of Lichen Planus:

Some signs and symptoms related to Lichen Planus..

• Itching in the location of a lesion, mild to severe.
• Ridges in the nails (nail abnormalities)
• Hair loss
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• The spots of lichen planus are flat-topped, pink-purple in colour and usually 3mm to 5mm wide
• Mouth ulcers also arise causing soreness that is made worse by hot or spicy food.

 

Causes of Lichen planus:

The common causes and risk factor’s of Lichen planus include the following:

• The exact cause is unknown, but the disorder is likely to be related to an allergic or immune reaction.
•  Medical conditions associated with oral lichen planus include lichen planus of the skin, hypertension, diabetes and peptic ulcer.
• The disorder has been known to develop after exposure to potential allergens such as medications, dyes, and other chemical substances.
• It can also cause ulcers in the mouth but this is uncommon.
• One theory is that the immune system may be ‘triggered’ by a virus or other factor in the environment to attack cells on the skin which leads to the inflammation.
• Lichen planus may be associated with several other disorders, most notably hepatitis C.
• Certain medications, such as some of those used to treat arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure and malaria, may trigger oral lichen planus in some people.

Preventions:

Because the exact cause of lichen planus has not been identified yet, the condition simply cannot be prevented. However, in case the disease aggravates due to exposure to certain allergens or intake of some drugs, these potential triggers must be eliminated. Hepatitis C and B must be treated properly and if they are brought under control in some patients, even symptoms and signs of lichen planus may improve.

Homoeopathic Medicines……

As the exact cause of Lichen Planus is not known, for correct  homoeopathic treatment, constitutional medicines havve to  be considered.

Antimony Crude, Arsenic Album, Arsenic Iodum, Juglanscinerea, Kali Bichronium, Sulphur Iodatum etc are some of the remedies indicated for Lichen Planus. Doctors try to match these remedies with the patient’s mental and physical picture like for example:

• Antimony Crude:  For people who have thick skin, tendency for corns, cracks and abnormal growth on the skin. Generally, nails are crushed and don’t grow easily. Even  obese people with easy stomach upset are considered.
•  Arsenic Album :  For  lean, thin, meticulous people who cannot withstand cold climate. Generally are anxious and conscious about their look due to the eruptions. For patients with ulcerations of Lichen Planus with  severe burning in the mouth.
•  Kali Bichronium: Lichen Planus triggers after some long stress/worry or grief. Restlessness and sleeplessness along with the symptoms .  Mucous membrane of mouth affected with pain in spots. Discharge from mouth is stringy and  sticks to the parts of mouth.
•  Sulphur  Iodatum : For strong , muscular, robust constitution who are very active physically. Obstinate skin affections with thickening and indurations are  marked features of sulphur iodatum.