LICHEN PLANUS



Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.

Lichen Planus for Hamilton, Grimsby and Stoney Creek

General Information about Lichen Planus:

  • Is pronounced Like-En Plan-us.
  • Is an extremely itchy rash.
  • Usually appears on the wrists, hands, feet, in the mouth and on the genitals.
  • In the mouth, it may appear as fine white lines and may produce open sores.
  • Is not caused by diet.
  • May be made worse by stress.
  • Is not contagious.
  • Does not usually scar, but may leave behind brown marks that take months or years to fade.
  • Is of unknown cause, although there is evidence that a virus may be associated with it in a small number of people.
  • Has no cure.
  • Usually last 3 to 4 years in the mouth and 1 to 4 years on the body.

Treatment:

Topical Corticosteroids (Steroids, Cortisone):

  • Cortisone creams (topical corticosteroids), lotions and gels are moderately effective.
  • They are used twice daily on the affected areas until the spots disappear or turn brown.  At that point the steroids should be stopped.
  • Topical corticosteroids must be used for at least a month to see if they are going to be effective.
  • The most common side effect would include, but not be limited to:  thinning of the skin in the area to which they are being applied.  This may appear as stretch marks, dimpling of the skin or bruising.

Intralesional Steroids (Cortisone Injections):

  • Cortisone injections work much better than the creams, gels and lotions.
  • The cortisone is injected directly into the affected areas.
  • A lesion 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter would require about 8 injections.
  • The injections are repeated at monthly intervals.
  • The main side effect from the injections includes, but is not limited to: thinning of the skin.  This may appear as stretch marks, dimpling of the skin or bruising.
  • Skin thinning will usually resolve spontaneously once treatment is stopped.

Pills:

  • In severe cases pills may be used.
  • Please discuss your treatment options with your doctor.



Lichen Planus in the Mouth

Lichen Planus - Wrist

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