Lichen Planus

Less than two percent of the general population suffers from oral lichen planus, an uncomfortable and chronic condition characterized by lesions that form in the mouth and skin. Its not unusual for lichen planus sufferers to know no one else with the disease.

Thats one reason for the popularity of Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistrys online International Oral Lichen Planus Support Group, a web-based support group that brings together sufferers from throughout the world. The on-line organization serves as a resource for patients, family members and practitioners.

The site also features periodic live online discussions that link lichen planus sufferers with faculty in HSC-BCDs Stomatology Center and guest faculty from other dental schools around the world.

http://bcd.tamhsc.edu/outreach/lichenplanus.html

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Lichen Planus
• oral health
• dentistry
• mouth
• periodontics

[grndma2be2009]

i have it and hate it

[Baylordentalhealth]

@grndma2be2009

You express yourself very succinctly. I don't know anyone who loves it but I hope that you have found someone who can help you manage and control your oral lichen planus. It is no longer true that there is no effective treatment for most olp.

[woodsleeps]

I have what is now fairly severe lichen planus the whole length of the right side of my tongue. I was diagnosed in 2000.

I was advised to buy Betadine mouthwash, which is iodine based. I found that it would take away the pain after a few days.

It flares up when I am stressed or upset, in much the same way as the eczema on my hands (pomphylax)

However, I'm in a mess now - my tongue is terribly bad!!! Extremely painful - and they have stopped making Betadine! I can't find it in any chemist.

[Baylordentalhealth]

@woodsleeps Please check out our web site for The International Oral Lichen Planus Support Group. If you are having pain, you need to be evaluated right away. Make an appointment today. If you contact us by email on the site, we will gladly recommend someone in your area of the world. NB

[multimaxriaan]

I was diagnosed with LP in 1998. It was treated and completely disappeared for 10 years untill late 2008 when it suddenly reappeared. I went to a derm again and was diagnosed with LP again. Was treated again, but struggled to heal. I decided to start using a well known local herbal balm from South Africa and trust me, it works! Maybe someone should look into this balm - Zam Buk - it definitely contains something that is healing my LP. No new LP breakouts since I started using this balm. cheers.

[Baylordentalhealth]

Thank you for your comments regarding Zam Buk. This balm has been around for many many years yet there are few if any controlled studies using it. Consequently, I do not recommend it. It contains some ingredients that are potentially harmful so be careful. It definitely should not be used in the oral cavity so please don't try this to manage oral lichen planus.

[Baylordentalhealth]

Thanks for your observations regarding Zam Buk. That balm has been around for a very long time yet there has never been a study on it and at this time we have no reason fo think it will routinely help patients with lichen planus. The balm contains several ingredients that are potentially harmful and it definitly should not be used to treat oral lichen planus. Please be careful and don't use this to excess.

[Baylordentalhealth]

There are some other things that can cause peeling such as a strong toothpaste or mouthrinse. However, to me you are still describing lip biting. Please see your dentist and he/she can probably make you a simple little soft mouth guard that will keep you from being able to do that. Once that is done it should be possible to see if the peeling continues and to figure out why.

[wallas10]

i don't smoke, but because its pealing i do continue to bite on it..but even when i don't it still continues to peal...not as much on the outside but where the outside of the lip meats the inside...

[Baylordentalhealth]

This doesn't sound like lichen planus. To have hypekeratosis on the inside of your lips suggests heavy smoking or chronic lip biting. If it is moving to the outside it still sounds like smoking or even excess sun exposure. See your dentist or dermatologist