The inflammatory disease lichen planus is a rare skin condition that manifests in mucosal tissues while potentially targeting the fingernails. It is presented with flat, shiny, purple-colored bumps or lesions. Although its actual cause is unknown, it is known to cause autoimmune dysfunction, leading to an attack by natural body defense mechanism cells on the normal ones.

Middle-aged adults most commonly experience this disease without age being an essential factor for onset. Usually, the patients face varied problems, and while the disease resolves in some cases, other patients need continual medical support to keep those symptoms in control and away from the possible complications that might relate to scarring or infection.

Symptoms of Lichen Planus

Depending on the site affected by it, symptoms of lichen planus are very different. Most cases usually target the skin, mouth, and nails. Individuals often express symptoms at various levels and with a different spread. Below are the most apparent symptoms that will tell you a person has lichen planus:

  • Skin Lesions: These appear as purple, flat bumps or lesions that may emerge anywhere on the body. The patient develops itching with skin lesions that commonly appear on the wrists, ankles, and lower back and can extend to the genital area.
  • Oral Lichen Planus: White lacy patches will appear on the gum tissue with the inner cheek, tongue, and lip surfaces when a patient has lichen planus affecting the mouth. They will occur side by side with one's pain or discomfort, especially with feeding and drinking.
  • Nail Changes: Nail involvement may be seen in a few cases of lichen planus with thinning, ridging, and often nail loss. A patient with lichen planus may feel that his or her nails tend to thin out or get distorted.
Apart from all these, patients with the skin form of lichen planus have problems with irritation or sensitivity (especially to heat or friction). Oral lesions can give rise to mouth ulcers, which can make eating or talking difficult.

Causes of Lichen Planus

The causes of lichen planus have not been fully understood, but professional opinion is that existing factors contribute to its onset. It is mentioned in a study that genetic propensity, immune factors, or environmental stimuli might share those attributes. Now, here are some of the reasons for lichen planus:

  • Immune Response: Lichen planus and autoimmune diseases are medically associated. In these diseases, the body fights against itself, chiefly targeting the skin and mucosa. The characteristics of lichen planus have been established because an activated immune response allows the underlying inflammation to result in the unique lesions of lichen planus.
  • Infections: In some instances, viral infections have been the predisposing factor, particularly infection with the Hepatitis C virus in patients with Lichen Planus. The immune system's fight against infection may initiate the development of the illness.
  • Medications: Many drugs are believed to cause Lichen Planus like many other drugs, for example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors. The fact that Lichen Planus may develop due to an adverse drug reaction is a paradox in allergy cases.
  • Stress: Psychological stress has been known to initiate lichen planus. Flare-ups might happen in such stressful conditions. In Lichen planus and stress, immune system functions may be affected by stress, which may enhance present symptoms or promote additional occurrences of the malady.

Lichen Planus Diagnosis

Usually, the Lichen planus diagnosis will start with a good medical history and physical examination. A dermatologist is the appropriate doctor who will inspect the looks of any skin or oral lesions. Doctoral confirmation of diagnosis should include these sequential procedures:

  • Skin Biopsy: Microscopical examination of a tissue sample differentiates Lichen planus from psoriasis and other skin conditions that include eczema from this sample.
  • Blood Tests: These laboratory assessments help detect pathogens inside the human body.
  • Oral Examination: An oral lichen planus exam includes a postgraduate dentist oral examination or diagnostic procedures conducted by a dentist or oral surgeon.
In some instances, additional provocations may be directed at identifying controversial juxtaposed autoimmune diseases, which could lead to the same symptoms as erosive lichen planus.


Lichen Planus: Impacts on Mouth, Skin, and Nails

Lichen planus affects three main areas of the body, with different manifestations in the mouth, skin, and nail tissues. The oral presentation of Lichen planus shows itself as white lacy areas that affect the inner cheeks and gums together with the tongue and lips while creating discomfort that makes eating painful. Oral lichen planus may become more threatening when it aggravates and increases the risk of oral cancer. Regarding the skin, the Lichen planus skin rash is purple and itchy sores that are often scattered in flat shapes and masses found on the wrists, ankles, and lower back.

These rashes are so itchy and painful that they may lead to the formation of scars if aggressive remedial measures are not taken. When Lichen planus in nails occurs, it thins, ridges, breaks, or, in some cases, peels off the natural modification of the nails. Those changes can be painful and a barrier to performing ordinary tasks properly. Thus, early identification and subsequent management of the condition are essential to avoid such difficulty.

What to Know About Chronic Lichen Planus?

Persistent healing can occur on its own in many cases within a few months, while in others, Chronic lichen planus often persists for several years. Chronic lichen planus may be a significant cause of prolonged discomfort and scarring and also lead to severe complications, such as oral cancer in the case of severe oral lesions. Chronic lichen planus has enormous implications for all areas of life if left untreated.
Chronic cases may require continuous treatment and regular monitoring by healthcare professionals to manage flare-ups and reduce the risk of complications.

Lichen Planus Management and Medication

Lichen planus management usually involves medication and changes in conditions. Medical approaches to treat psoriatic arthritis include topical corticosteroids for inflammation reduction, oral corticosteroids for severe cases, and phototherapy with light therapy for skin lesions. The medical team administers methotrexate as an immunosuppressive drug for sustained or long-term instances.

Lichen planus medication does some curing here, accompanied by exclusion from triggers and irritants; future health provider check-ups are recommended for monitoring progress and then correcting it with the needed treatment to restrain the symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Conclusions

Medical science groups Lichen planus as a persistent disease system that creates inflammation throughout the skin, oral tissues, and fingernails. Pain-related symptoms, including itching, rash formation, and canker sores, become potential manifestations of this condition. While proper diagnosis and Lichen planus treatment plans do not alter life paths, they enhance life quality by managing conditions. Knowledge of causes and treatment options with potential health risks leads to more effective handling of the condition rather than preventing complications.

Please book an appointment with the Best Dermatologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.