About lichen psoriasis

What is lichen psoriasis?

No one knows the exact cause of psoriasis, but experts believe that it's a combination of things. Something wrong with the immune system causes inflammation, triggering new skin cells to form too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow every 3 to 4 days. The buildup of old cells being replaced by new ones creates those silver scales.

Some things that can trigger outbreaks are:

  • Cuts, scrapes, or surgery
  • Emotional stress
  • Strep infections

What are the symptoms for lichen psoriasis?

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 psoriasis?

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 psoriasis?

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 psoriasis?

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 psoriasis?

A rare, chronic skin ailment called Lichen Psoriasis causes small patches of skin to thin down and turn colourless. Any region of the body can be affected, although the skin around the genitals is most frequently affected. Men and children can occasionally develop Lichen Psoriasis, although most occurrences afflict women who have undergone menopause.

The proper medical care can manage Lichen Psoriasis. Here are the available therapies as well as the signs and causes of the ailment.

Cure or Medication for Lichen Psoriasis

  • As of now, the cure for Lichen Psoriasis is unknown. To ease and lessen discomfort, there are several efficient techniques to control and relieve symptoms.
  • Sometimes Lichen Psoriasis will go away on its own. When it is on portions of the body other than the vaginal and anal regions, this typically occurs.
  • However, there are numerous techniques to handle Lichen Psoriasis around the genital regions. There may be other, more modern treatments available in addition to those that are mentioned below. It is crucial to talk with a doctor about available treatments as a result.
  • Applying a steroid cream or ointment directly to the afflicted region is the most typical form of treatment for lichen sclerosus. Steroids can be particularly successful at reducing inflammation, which lessens itchiness, soreness, and scarring while also halting the progression of the disorder.


Symptoms
Itching,Blisters,Bleeding,Soreness and discomfort,Scarring,Asymptomatic in mild cases
Conditions
Women on higher risk of getting some kind of skin cancer
Drugs
Steroids

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