Lichen Planus, Oral Lichen Planus Causes Skin Bumps, Mouth Lesions Symptoms for Treatment

Lichen planus is a skin disease and oral lichen planus is a mouth disorder of the mucous membrane.  It is not contagious nor generally a major health concern.

On your skin lichen planus often causes purplish, itchy skin bumps.  And in your mouth it typically causes red, gray or white lesions.

Commonly, lichen planus strikes during middle age, without a definitive cause. However, it may be associated with hepatitis C and several other disorders.

Certain allergens, chemicals or medications also seem to be correlated to lichen planus development, including

Some evidence suggests lichen planus is an autoimmune condition.

Your skin bump or mouth lesion symptoms may appear different from your fellow sufferer.  As lichen planus skin bump symptoms may constitute one or more of the following:

  • itchy
  • 2-4 cm in size
  • single or cluster
  • large, flat top lesions
  • white scales or flakes
  • symmetric appearance
  • shiny or scaly appearance
  • develop at site of skin trauma
  • covered with fine white streaks
  • affects previous cut or burn area
  • lesions have distinct, sharp borders
  • color ~ purple or reddish purple bumps
  • possible development of blisters, ulcers
  • linear scratch marks called Wickham’s striae
  • typical locations ~ inner areas of the wrist, forearms, legs, ankles, torso, genitals

Your oral lichen planus lesion symptoms may entail one or more of the following:

  • red, open sores
  • gradually increases in size
  • looks like lacy white patches
  • tender, painful, no discomfort
  • shiny, red, slightly raised lesions
  • lesions rarely located on the gums
  • occasionally lesions form painful ulcers
  • typical locations ~ tongue, inside cheek
  • poorly defined area of blue white spots or pimples
  • linear lesions forming a lacy looking network of lesions
  • small, pale raised areas or bumps that form a lacy network

Sometimes oral lichen planus causes no symptoms other than the raised areas and patches, or it can involve your throat or esophagus.

Lichen planus lesions inside your mouth may cause painful sores, making eating difficult.  Oral cancer is a potential complication as well.

These other symptoms might be experienced with either type of lichen planus:

If you have oral lichen planus, you may or may not have the skin form of lichen planus. And visa versa

While it’s not known what causes oral lichen planus nor lichen planus of the skin, factors that may increase your risk include:

Lichen planus is an incurable, chronic condition.  Yet, medicine can help reduce your itching symptoms and speed healing of your skin bumps or mouth lesions.

Lichen planus and oral lichen planus treatments options involve:

Corticosteroid use for oral lichen planus can also cause thrush.

It can be difficult to bring lichen planus under control.  And because it tends to be chronic, you may need treatment for months, maybe years.  If your symptoms are mild, treatment may not be necessary.

A couple of lifestyle adjustments and home remedies to compliment your lichen planus medication regime are:

  • cut out spicy or acidic foods if they worsen symptoms
  • keep your mouth clean to reduce symptoms and help prevent infection
  • avoid alcohol & tobacco products because they irritate your mouth and further increase your risk of oral cancer

Your initial attack may last for weeks to months, and come and go for years. After your lichen planus skin bumps heal, they may leave a dark brown spot.  They are not scars.  Slowly they will fade away.

Also, lichen planus of your scalp must be treated right away or the lost hair might never grow back.

Pay a visit to your health care professional to find out for sure if your skin bumps or mouth lesions are actually lichen planus.

Additional Skin Issue Health Blurbs:

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