Lichen planus

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Lichen planus

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4.5

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Rated

4.5

Summary

Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an overactive immune system.
It can resolve on its own, but treatment can speed up recovery and relieve symptoms.
Treatments include topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, light therapy, and immunosuppressants.

Lichen planus: essential info
Causes and symptoms
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on July 04, 2023. by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

GMC (No. 4624794)

Next review due on July 04, 2026

Last updated on July 03, 2023

Find the Lichen planus treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Dermovate

Clobetasol propionate

In stock

Dermovate is a corticosteroid that will relieve the symptoms of lichen planus. Available as a cream or ointment.

Starting from £39.95

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Betnovate

betamethasone valerate 0.1%

In stock

Use Betnovate cream or ointment to manage your rash and soothe your symptoms.

Starting from £39.95

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Chlorphenamine

chlorphenamine maleate

In stock

Antihistamine that relieves itching caused by scabies. Lasts for 4-6 hours.

Starting from £29.95

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Elocon

Mometasone furoate

In stock

Effective steroid cream that reduces swelling and itching. Potent effect for stronger symptoms.

Starting from £42.95

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Eumovate

Clobetasone butyrate

In stock

Moderately potent topical corticosteroid to alleviate rash symptoms.

Starting from £42.95

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Fludroxycortide Tape

Fludroxycortide

In stock

Corticosteroid surgical tape containing fludroxycortide to soothe dry and scaly skin.

Starting from £69.95

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Mometasone

Mometasone furoate

In stock

Corticosteroid applied directly to affected areas of skin. Available in two forms.

Starting from £42.95

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Piriton

Chlorphenamine maleate

In stock

Branded antihistamine that helps with allergies and relieves itchiness.

Starting from £39.95

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Ichthopaste

Zinc oxide and Ichthammol

Medicated bandage to manage your rash and provide soothing relief. Contains Zinc oxide and Ichthammol.

Not available

What causes lichen planus?

It’s thought that lichen planus is caused when your immune system gets triggered by something. It’s unclear as to why and how, but your immune system attacks your skin cells or mucous membranes, which causes an excess of proteins to be produced, which then inflames the skin.

Factors that can trigger your immune system and activate lichen planus include:

hepatitis c infection
flu vaccine
contact allergens like chemicals in products
certain medications ^[2]

What are the symptoms of lichen planus?

You may not get all the symptoms of lichen planus, but it’s important to know what to look for so you can tell your clinician and get treatment.

These include:

clusters of shiny, raised, purple or red blotches on your arms, legs, and body
oral lichen planus: white patches on your gums, tongue or inside your cheeks
a burning, itchy sensation
bald patches on your scalp
sore, red patches on your vulva
ring-shaped purple or white patches on your penis
rough and thinning nails ^[3]

Can lichen planus lead to other problems?

If left untreated, lichen planus can become serious and cause other problems. Lichen planus on the vulva and vagina can be painful, and can sometimes leave scars. In general, genital lichen planus can cause long-term sexual dysfunction.

Oral lichen planus sores can make it hard to eat comfortably and increase your risk of oral cancer. If left untreated, lichen planus in and around your ear canal may lead to hearing loss.

If lichen planus becomes serious, it can lead to erosive lichen planus, a type of chronic, long-term form of lichen planus. It causes ulcers to develop, which become painful and uncomfortable. ^[1]

Treated trusted sources:

NHS 24 (January 2023), NHS inform: illnesses and conditions: skin, hair and nails: lichen planus, nhsinform.scot.
Mayo Clinic, Diseases and Conditions: Lichen planus, mayoclinic.org
NHS (September 2020), Conditions: lichen planus, nhs.uk

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on July 04, 2023. Next review due on July 04, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What medications are there for lichen planus?

There are plenty of treatments that can help you manage the symptoms of lichen planus. These include:

corticosteroids: prescription corticosteroid creams or ointments. For severe lichen planus, corticosteroid tablets may help
oral anti-infection drugs: antimalarial hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or antibiotic metronidazole (like Flagyl)
immune response medicines: prescription tablets that suppress or modify your immune system
antihistamines: oral tablets to relieve itching
light therapy: phototherapy may help for extreme cases of lichen planus. It uses ultraviolet B (UVB) light which targets the upper layer of the skin
retinoids: if the above treatments don’t work, you may be prescribed oral retinoids
^[1]

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for lichen planus?

Depending on the extent of your condition, our dermatologist will help you find a lichen planus treatment that works for you. Corticosteroid ointments and creams tend to be the first-line choice for the rash, which can help bring your skin back to normal.

For mild lichen planus, you may not even need a topical treatment – as it can clear up by itself, especially if you take good care of the affected skin. Aloe vera gel has been found to be a good ‘natural’ treatment for the rash.

Does lichen planus always need treatment?

There are some at-home remedies you can try if you have mild lichen planus on your skin. These include:

washing the affected skin with warm water, avoiding soaps and perfumed body washes
washing your hair over the sink or bath to stop the shampoo from getting in contact with your skin
using an emollient (antibacterial moisturiser) on your skin
for your genitals: holding a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel against the area to ease swelling and itching
wearing loose-fitting clothes
for your mouth: brushing your teeth carefully twice a day to keep your gums healthy
avoiding salty, spicy or acidic foods
avoiding alcohol and mouthwashes that contain alcohol
^[2]

Treated trusted sources:

Mayo Clinic, Diseases and Conditions: Lichen planus, mayoclinic.org
NHS (September 2020), Conditions: lichen planus, nhs.uk

How we source info.

FAQ: Lichen planus

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is lichen planus diagnosed?

Answer:

Your doctor will want to examine your skin to determine if it’s lichen planus. They will also take a biopsy, in which a small piece of the affected tissue is examined under a microscope. It’ll be analysed to see whether it has the same cell patterns as lichen planus.

You may also have your blood tested for hepatitis C, which can be a trigger for the rash. Allergy tests done by a specialist or dermatologist can also help to find out if your condition has been triggered by an allergy.

Can you get side effects from lichen planus treatments?

Answer:

Like all medicines, treatments for lichen planus can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. The type of treatment you’re using (and how long for) may affect whether you get any side effects from it.

A common side effect of topical corticosteroids includes irritation or thinning of the skin, as well as oral thrush. However, they’re considered to be safer when taken for a short amount of time. Light therapy isn’t usually recommended for people with darker skin, as there is a higher risk of permanent pigmentation. Retinoids are also not recommended for pregnant women or those trying to get pregnant as they can cause birth defects. ^[1]

Does lichen planus treatment always work?

Answer:

Considering most cases of lichen planus take between nine and eighteen months to improve on their own, using treatments will often help to speed this up. They will also help you with many of the symptoms, such as itching and swelling. Once the lichen planus has been treated and your skin returns to normal, it’s very unlikely that it will return again.

Treated trusted sources:

Mayo Clinic, Diseases and Conditions: Lichen planus, mayoclinic.org

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GP Clinical Lead

Registered with GMC (No. 4624794)

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