Oral Lichen Planus

A common mouth condition, oral lichen planus, is marked by a white, lacy-looking patch inside the cheek. This isn't contagious.

Oral lichen planus is a long-term (chronic) condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues inside your mouth. There are different types, but the two most common are:

• Reticular: This is the most frequent type. It creates white, lace-like patterns on the inside of your mouth. Usually, there aren't any noticeable symptoms, and treatment isn't typically needed. It rarely causes problems.

• Erosive: This type shows as red, inflamed areas or sores in the mouth. The sores can be painful and cause a burning sensation. It's important to see a doctor regularly, as this type of oral lichen planus can increase the risk of mouth cancer in the affected areas.

Oral lichen planus isn't passed from person to person. Doctors don't fully understand why the immune system attacks the mouth tissues in this way.

While symptoms can often be controlled, regular checkups are essential for people with oral lichen planus, especially if it's the erosive type. This is because the condition, particularly the erosive form, slightly increases the chance of mouth cancer developing in those affected areas. Early detection and monitoring are key.

Oral lichen planus is a condition that affects the lining of your mouth. It can also impact other parts of your body, including your skin, genitals, ears, nose, scalp, nails, and even your eyes.

The symptoms of oral lichen planus vary depending on the type. One type, called reticular oral lichen planus, shows up as white, lacy patches inside your mouth. These patches are often painless.

The other common type, erosive oral lichen planus, causes red, inflamed areas, or even open sores in your mouth. These sores can be quite uncomfortable. Possible symptoms include:

• Pain and burning: The sores can be painful, especially when you eat something hot, acidic, or spicy.
• Sensitivity to food: You might feel pain or discomfort when eating or drinking.
• Bleeding and irritation from brushing: Tooth brushing can be irritating and may cause bleeding.
• Gum inflammation (gingivitis): Your gums might become inflamed and sore.
• Sore or thickened tongue: The surface of your tongue might become painful and feel thick.
• Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, and talking: The sores and inflammation can make these activities painful.

Oral lichen planus isn't limited to your mouth. It can affect other parts of your body.

• Skin: Lichen planus on the skin appears as flat, purple or violet bumps, often itchy.
• Genitals: On the genitals, lichen planus can cause pain, burning, and discomfort during sex. The affected area might be red and have sores, or sometimes appear as white patches.
• Ears: Lichen planus in the ears can lead to hearing problems.
• Nose: You might experience frequent nosebleeds and persistent congestion.
• Scalp: It can cause hair loss, which might be temporary or permanent.
• Nails: Rarely, lichen planus affects your nails, causing ridges, thinning, splitting, or loss.
• Eyes: In rare cases, lichen planus can affect the eyes, potentially leading to scarring and vision loss.
• Esophagus: Though uncommon, lichen planus in the esophagus can narrow the tube or create rings that make swallowing difficult.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. They can determine if you have oral lichen planus and recommend the best course of action for you.

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, it's important to see a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. This is crucial for getting an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment. Don't delay seeking medical attention if you have concerns.

Oral lichen planus is a condition where the lining of the mouth becomes inflamed. Scientists don't fully understand what causes it. One possibility is that the body's immune system, specifically white blood cells called T lymphocytes, are overactive. This suggests it might be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, and possibly influenced by genetics. More research is needed to confirm this.

While some factors might trigger or worsen symptoms, such as certain medications, mouth injuries, infections, or allergic reactions to things like dental materials, these are not definitively proven causes. Stress can also make the symptoms of oral lichen planus worse or cause them to return.

Oral lichen planus can affect anyone, but it's most often seen in middle-aged adults, especially women over 50. While the exact reasons aren't completely understood, certain things might increase your chances of developing it. For example, having a health condition that weakens your immune system or taking specific medications could be contributing factors. However, more studies are needed to confirm these connections.

Oral lichen planus, a condition affecting the mouth, can sometimes cause serious problems. Severe cases can lead to several complications:

• Significant pain: This can make eating, drinking, and even talking very difficult.

• Nutritional problems: The pain and sores can make it hard to eat enough food, leading to weight loss or malnutrition. This is because it's simply painful to consume food or drink.

• Emotional distress: The discomfort and appearance changes associated with the condition can cause considerable stress and anxiety. This is a very real and important aspect of the condition.

• Scarring: In some cases, the sores can leave scars on the affected areas of the mouth. These scars can be noticeable and can sometimes make the mouth look disfigured.

• Secondary infections: The sores can create an environment where yeast or fungal infections can grow in the mouth. These infections can further complicate the condition.

• Increased cancer risk: While rare, severe or long-lasting oral lichen planus has been linked to a slightly higher risk of developing mouth cancer. It's important to remember that this risk is not high, and most people with oral lichen planus will not develop cancer.

It's crucial to remember that not everyone with oral lichen planus will experience all these complications. If you have oral lichen planus, it's important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks and how to manage them.

Diagnosing oral lichen planus often involves several steps. Your doctor will first talk to you about your medical and dental history, any medications you're taking, and any symptoms you're experiencing, not just in your mouth, but anywhere on your body. They will also examine your mouth and other areas as needed.

Sometimes, further tests are necessary. These might include:

• Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from the affected area(s) in your mouth. This tissue is then examined under a microscope. This helps to see if oral lichen planus is the cause of the problem. Sometimes more detailed microscope tests are done to look for specific proteins linked to immune system issues that can cause oral lichen planus.

• Culture tests: A sample of cells is collected from your mouth using a cotton swab. This sample is checked under a microscope to see if there's a secondary infection, like a fungus, bacteria, or virus, that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms.

• Blood tests: These tests can help rule out other conditions that might have similar symptoms to oral lichen planus. For example, blood tests can help check for conditions like hepatitis C or lupus, which, although rare, can sometimes mimic oral lichen planus. Finding and treating these conditions is important to ensure the best possible outcome.

These tests help your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan that's right for you.