Replied by Bruce (Toronto, Canada) on 08/25/2008
Mine started in May 2008 on the head of my penis, and then my feet. since last week (aug15) it started in my mouth and arms. same like you , i have been to 2 different dermatologist and same creams. I really got scared and went to my doctor today and he assured me that it will go away with time, how long, nobody knows :(Replied by Natural Ways (Cincinnati, Oh) on 01/21/2014
I agree with the connection between lichen planus and salt. I noticed that when I eat salted seeds my oral lichen planus is getting worse. I'm not sure about vitamin D, I was diagnosed with low Vitamin D level when I developed OLP....Replied by Vanessa (Okinawa, Japan) on 09/20/2008
I have had lichen planus since I was ten years old and have had oral lesions as well as vaginal lesions. Even on my scalp. I would watch my Vitamin D intake! I had an outbreak once that lasted 4 years, during which I noticed a connection between my Vitamin D intake and flare ups. Please note that Vitamin D is also stored in fat stores. I would always see improvements within a couple of weeks. My father also suffers with lichen planus and cutting out vitamin D seems to work for him as well. I am getting another outbreak right now, because of my prenatal vitamins, so I am once again cutting out vitamin D. So far so good. once it goes away, I let my diet go back to normal again, and just make sure to keep my Vit D intake in check. I'm not sure why it work, I just know that it works for me and my father.Replied by Justin (Oxford, Maine) on 06/10/2010
Hey I understand your pain I have had oral lichen planus for 9 months now. My root problem wasn't Lichen planus and i am assuming that yours is not either. Lichen planus starts to get out of control when your immune system is in a fight with something else. You might want to get an HIV test out of the way too. It probably isnt but good to know anyways. I would suggest that you go get your immunoglobulin checked out to see if its at normal values my guess is its not. If you get results that say you might have CVIDS dont worry. Thats when you go to your immunologist where they will do more tests to see if that is actually what you have. Its a diagnosis upon them not knowing what its causing. What I am also guessing is that your immunoglobulin igA is low. This is where i am at with my treatment I am getting healthier now with a paste i put on my mouth. I wish all the luck to you on your endeavors I know how annoying it is when its always in your mouth. Stress has a large part on lichens growth so just try to relax. I know its hard i experienced severe anxiety which can come with lichen.Replied by Jb (Myerstown, Pa) on 03/12/2011
Hi! My name is David and I've had Lichen Planus since the age of 14. I was on the 6th floor locked in a hospital for 30 days for anger management. Two weeks before I was released the inside of my lip began to get sore and looked like an ulcer forming. It had only gotten worse by the time I was released so I went to the doctor. I was told it was just an ulcer and to gargle with warm salt water. WRONG THING TO DO! I am 31 now and know that salt is the WORST thing for you if you have Lichen Planus. Not salt that is baked into your food. More or less direct salt or chips. Salt from that sort. But anyway, I eventually found out I had Lichen Planus when I was 16 or 17 with a biopsy done by a dermatologist. I first started out having to receive cortisone shots in my butt until the dermatologist said we couldn't keep doing that.
I began using Clobetesol Propionate Ointment 0.05%. I have most of the rare cases for Lichen Planus and this is the only thing that will clear up my symptoms fast. Ointment is important. There is also a Clobetesol Propionate Cream 0. 05%. That may or may not work on your skin, but it will not work for oral. Trust me! And Vitamin D for me I don't believe has ever been a factor. My doctor actually said out of all my blood test results that my Vitamin D was low. So high Vitamin D wouldn't cause my lichen planus flare ups. Sweat even is a big factor, too. At least for me, anyway. Anybody who would like some useful tips or ideas or has any questions, email me at dgingrich(at)mobsters(dot)com and I will try to respond to you promptly. I hope this little bit helps.
Dave
Replied by Rich (Boca Raton, Fl) on 03/24/2011
"As of today ( June 2008 ) it has spread to my calves, buttocks"
-- If a baby has a butt rash, it's called diaper rash; if an adult has one, it's called eczema and is incurable. Ridiculous. Diaper Rash is candida, 80% of the time. And steroids are fungal byproducts that prevent your body from fighting it... making yeast problems worse.
I've been playing around with a natural antifungal dog shampoo recently, Zymox. It uses the lactoperoxidase enzyme system with iodine(KI), plus zinc and coconut(lauric).
Note:It kills staph bacteria as well.
