What is the best treatment for vulvar lichen planus?

Cortisone cream applied to the vulva and vagina can provide relief and stop lichen planus from getting worse. Strong cortisone is safe to use on inflamed skin and will not cause the skin of your vulva to thin. Medications such as prednisolone or methotrexate may also help. These come in a tablet form.

What is the main cause of lichen planus?

The cause of lichen planus is usually not known, although possible causes include: Hepatitis C, a virus that attacks your liver. Certain medicines, including some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and malaria. Reactions to metal fillings in your teeth.

How is hypertrophic lichen planus treated?

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog), 5 to 10 mg per mL injection, should be used to treat hypertrophic lichen planus. Three to six weeks of oral prednisone therapy should be used to treat severe, widespread lichen planus (tapered course, 30 to 60 mg per day starting dose).

What is the most common form of lichen planus?

The most common presentation of oral lichen planus (OLP), is characterised by the net-like or spider web-like appearance of lacy white lines, oral variants of Wickham’s straiae. This is usually asymptomatic. Reticular OLP may eventually progress to the more severe subtypes such as the erosive form.

How do you get rid of lichen planus?

Topical (applied to the skin) corticosteroid: Cream or ointment to reduce swelling and redness. Corticosteroid: Pills (such as prednisone) or shots can help when lichen planus lasts a long time or a patient has many bumps or painful sores. PUVA therapy: A type of light treatment that can help clear the skin.

Is sun good for lichen planus?

If the lichen planus is on the regular skin and not very severe, treatment is often not needed. If the lichen planus is caused by the sun (some cases of lichen planus pigmentosus), a strong sunscreen (sun protection factor [SPF] 50 or higher) should be used daily.

What autoimmune diseases cause lichen planus?

Analysis of data obtained from a Taiwan insurance database containing approximately 12,500 lichen planus patients revealed a significant association between lichen planus and systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome (significant in females only), dermatomyositis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.

Is lichen planus lifelong?

Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause bumps or lesions to appear on your skin, in your mouth, or on your nails. There is no known cause of lichen planus, and it usually disappears on its own. Most cases last about 2 years.

Does stress cause lichen planus?

What cause lichen planus? In most cases, the cause of lichen planus can’t be found. It is not caused by stress, but sometimes emotional stress makes it worse. This disorder has been known to occur after contact with certain chemicals, such as those used to develop color photographs.

How does lichen planus affect men and women?

Lichen planus usually affects men and women in middle age. Equal numbers of men and women get lichen planus of the skin, but women are twice as likely to get oral (inside the mouth) lichen planus. The disease is rare in people who are very young or very old.

Is there a difference between lichen planus and erosive?

However, oral lichen planus and lichen planus that affects the genital area may be more persistent. Read more about how lichen planus is treated. Erosive lichen planus is a rare form of lichen planus that can last a long time. It causes painful ulcers to develop in the mouth and in the genital areas of both males and females.

What does lichen planus look like in the mouth?

In some cases, oral lichen planus (erosive type) appears as bright red gum tissue. In severe cases, ulcers develop on the gums of mucosal tissues inside the mouth, or on the tongue.

Is it painful to eat with lichen planus?

This type of lichen planus is usually not painful. In some cases, oral lichen planus (erosive type) appears as bright red gum tissue. In severe cases, ulcers develop on the gums of mucosal tissues inside the mouth, or on the tongue. Eating and drinking spicy, hot or acidic foods or beverages can be painful for people with oral lichen planus.