What is the main cause of lichen planus?
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.
What is the meaning of Planus?
Planus is a Latin adjective meaning “flat” or “plain”. It is part of the binomial name of several species, and of some other combination terms. Personal honorific or nickname. Doctor Planus et utilis, a scholastic accolade awarded to the Franciscan teacher Nicholas of Lyra ( c. 1270–1349) In biology.
What does vulvar lichen planus look like?
Lichen planus of the vulva and vagina the vulva may be covered in white streaks and be a red, pink or pale white colour. if the vagina is affected, sexual intercourse can be painful. if the outer layers of skin break down, moist, red patches can form. scar tissue can form, which distorts the shape of the vagina.
What does vulvar lichen sclerosus look like?
This can look like lumps, ulcers or crusted areas. In areas away from the genital skin, lichen sclerosus looks like small ivory-coloured slightly raised areas, which can join up to form white patches. After a while the surface of the spots can look like white wrinkled tissue paper.
What happens if lichen sclerosus is left untreated?
Without treatment, the scratching associated with lichen simplex chronicus can lead to a bacterial skin infection. It also can cause permanent scars. Lichen sclerosus can be a risk factor for skin cancer and vulvar cancer. This is why it’s important to see your doctor if you have signs or symptoms.
How do I cure my vulvar lichen planus?
Vulvar/vaginal lichen planus may be treated with:
- Follow the vulvar skin care guidelines.
- Steroid ointments, creams, or vaginal inserts. Put them on affected areas, as ordered.
- Tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment. Put it on affected areas, as ordered.
- Pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream.
- Vaginal dilators or intercourse:
Is vulvar lichen sclerosus serious?
Complications of lichen sclerosus include painful sex, urinary retention, constipation and an inability to retract the foreskin. People with lichen sclerosus are also at an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the affected area.
What is the difference between lichen planus and lichen sclerosus?
It occurs more commonly in people who have gone through menopause. The difference between lichen planus and lichen sclerosus is that lichen sclerosus rarely affects the mucous membranes in your mouth.