About lichen ruber planus

What is lichen ruber planus?

Lichen Planus is a rare, recurrent, itchy rash or area of inflammatory eruptions (lesions) of unknown origin characterized by shiny reddish-purple spots on the skin and gray-white ones in the mouth. The disorder may present as itchy spots on the wrist, legs, torso, genitals, mouth, or lips. The eruptions may appear as small separate, angular spots that may coalesce into rough scaly patches. This disorder is frequently accompanied by oral lesions of the mucous membranes that line the mouth. The disorder affects women more frequently than men.

What are the symptoms for lichen ruber planus?

See your doctor if tiny Bumps or a rash-like condition appears on your skin for no apparent reason, such as a known allergic reaction or contact with poison ivy. Also see your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms associated with lichen planus of the mouth, genitals, scalp or nails.

It's best to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis because a number of skin and mucosal conditions can cause Lesions and discomfort.

What are the causes for lichen ruber planus?

Lichen planus occurs when your immune system attacks cells of the skin or mucous membranes. It's not clear why this abnormal immune response happens. The condition isn't contagious.

Lichen planus can be triggered by:

  • Hepatitis C infection
  • Flu vaccine
  • Certain pigments, chemicals and metals
  • Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others)
  • Certain medications for heart disease, high blood pressure or arthritis

What are the treatments for lichen ruber planus?

Lichen planus on the skin often clears up on its own in months to years. If the disease affects your mucous membranes, it tends to be more resistant to treatment and prone to recur. Whatever treatment you use, you'll need to visit your doctor for follow-up appointments about once a year.

Medications and other treatments might help relieve itching, ease pain and promote healing. Therapy can be challenging. Talk with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits against possible side effects of treatment.

Corticosteroids

The first choice for treatment of lichen planus is usually a prescription corticosteroid cream or ointment. If that doesn't help and your condition is severe or widespread, your doctor might suggest a corticosteroid pill or injection.

Common side effects of topical corticosteroids include skin irritation or thinning where the cream is applied and oral thrush. Corticosteroids are considered safe when taken as directed and for short-term use.

Oral anti-infections drugs

Other oral medicines used in selected situations for this condition are the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and the antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl, others).

Immune response medicines

Severe signs and symptoms may require prescription medications that suppress or modify your body's immune response, such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mycophenolate (Cellcept), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, others) and methotrexate (Trexall).

Antihistamines

An antihistamine medication taken by mouth might relieve the itching of lichen planus.

Light therapy

Light therapy (phototherapy) may help clear up lichen planus affecting the skin. The most common phototherapy for lichen planus uses ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which penetrates only the upper layer of skin (epidermis). Light therapy usually requires two to three treatments a week for several weeks.

This therapy isn't recommended for dark-skinned people, who have an increased risk of their skin staying slightly darker even after the rash clears up.

Retinoids

If your condition doesn't respond to corticosteroids or light therapy, your doctor might prescribe a retinoid medication taken by mouth, such as acitretin (Soriatane).

Retinoids can cause birth defects, so these drugs aren't recommended for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. If you're pregnant or nursing, your doctor may opt to delay topical retinoid therapy or choose a different treatment.

Dealing with triggers

If your doctor suspects that your lichen planus is related to hepatitis C infection, allergies or a drug you take, you might need other treatment. For example, you may need to switch medications or avoid offending allergens. Your doctor may refer you to an allergist or, in the case of a hepatitis C infection, a specialist in liver disease (hepatologist) for further treatment.

What are the risk factors for lichen ruber planus?

Anyone can develop lichen planus. But the condition most often affects middle-aged adults. Oral lichen planus most often affects middle-aged women.

Is there a cure/medications for lichen ruber planus?

Cure or Medications for the Lichen Ruber Planus

While there's no known cure for Lichen Ruber Planus, some medications that treat the symptoms may potentially be able to pinpoint a potential underlying cause. The following drugs are frequently prescribed:

  • Retinoids: They are used topically or taken orally and are related to vitamin A.
     
  • Corticosteroids: This can be used orally, topically, or intravenously and relieve inflammation.
     
  • Antihistamines: Nonsteroidal creams that are administered topically, suppress your immune system, and help the rash heal are antihistamines that lessen severe itching.
     
  • UV light: Using ultraviolet light, Lichen Ruber Planus is treated with light treatment.


Symptoms
Purplish, flat bumps, most often on the inner forearm, wrist or ankle, and sometimes the genitals,Itching,Blisters that break to form scabs or crusts,Lacy white patches in the mouth or on the lips or tongue,Painful sores in the mouth or vagina,Hair loss,Change in scalp color,Nail damage or loss
Conditions
Pain, scarring, and discomfort during sex (if the condition appears on genitals),Discoloration of the skin,Skin infection
Drugs
Steroid,Immunosuppressive drug,Antihistamines

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