Oral lichen Planus: What home remedies or medications help you?

Posted by lovebug61 @lovebug61, Apr 4, 2019

Anyone in the group suffer from Oral Lichen Planus. I am at my wits end with all these erosive sores in my mouth. I've had two biopsies , one in the inside cheek and one under the side of my tongue. The spot under the tongue is extremely sore to touch and has been for over a year. It scares me because the soreness never goes away, sometimes it isn't as sore but nothing helps. Any home remedies for this dreadful condition?

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@becsbuddy

@ladonnai Welcome to MayoClinicConnect Clinic Connect. We’re glad to have you join us especially when you’re so knowledgeable! This is a great group of people! So, welcome!
Btw, how did you find Connect?
P.S. Anschutz is a great hospital, isn’t it?!

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Was searching for alternative rx for OLP, and clicked on Mayo site

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My dental hygienist recommends any mouthwash that contains zinc for oral LP.

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@maryz

Dear Lovebug61. I know the pain and frustration that come with OLP after many years. Because we are only 1% of the population it is a rare medical person who has interest in this disease. After 30+ year the severity ebbs and flows. Be sure that you see someone regularly/quarterly who can track your LP. After a particularly bad 6 months I have trays made for my teeth and use clobetazol 5% gel 3times a day until the inflammation and lesions are reduced. This was after Prednisone injections in my cheeks. I take 8000mg total of Tumeric with bioprine divided 3times a day with food. I have been told to eliminate ALL dairy as some patients seem to be allergic to the milk proteins...so I have been very diligent about reading labels. I am not yet sure if the diet change will help the LP but the Exema that I had developed about 3 years ago has disappeared and did so after about 5 days. My greatest success has been when we lived near Medical Schools and I was seen by Dr’s in the Oral Med or Stomotology clinics. They reviewed me quarterly, watched and tested for oral cancer. And tried various protocols etc to help. The pain at night was helped by using Xylimelts w/o mint, by OraCoat, During the day using small amount of Viscous Lidocaine. I also exercise daily to get my heart rate up as I believe that also increases the blood flow in my mouth which helps my healing. I hope some of this helps with your symptoms.

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Maryz: I also have OLP in my mouth and sometimes in vagina and/or scalp. I use Dexamethosone Elixir (swish and split) for it. Eating spicy, acidic and crunchy foods makes it flare. Has been sore alot lately so went back to brushing teeth with baking soda which helps. There is a med for the scalp but have Giant Cell Arteritis which includes scalp pain (headache) so I have not had to use scalp medication for a long time.

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@hi5rockymountain

Maryz: I also have OLP in my mouth and sometimes in vagina and/or scalp. I use Dexamethosone Elixir (swish and split) for it. Eating spicy, acidic and crunchy foods makes it flare. Has been sore alot lately so went back to brushing teeth with baking soda which helps. There is a med for the scalp but have Giant Cell Arteritis which includes scalp pain (headache) so I have not had to use scalp medication for a long time.

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I have this on my gums.It came from nowhere? My gums have white opaque covering on the red raw gums. I have been treating for what seems like forever, but can't completely clear it up. Does anyone else have the raw red gums?

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best of life: have been suffering with red gums with streaks of whilte from lichen planus the last couple days and have had it for years. We were living in FL over a dozen years ago, went to 4 different dentists who did not have a clue what was going on. Moved up north and a dermatologist diagnosed it via biopsy. It started itching on my hip bones, then to back with blotchs, had cream for that and had it on scap, med for that. Now due to GCA and prednisone my jaw bones have loss and the spaces between my teeth burn from lichen planus. Use Dexamethosone and have to stay away from spicy and acidic foods.

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@jmhilde61

My dental hygienist recommends any mouthwash that contains zinc for oral LP.

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jmhilde61: Did you find a mouthwash with zinc and did it help? If so, which mouthwash?

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@hi5rockymountain

jmhilde61: Did you find a mouthwash with zinc and did it help? If so, which mouthwash?

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I haven't yet found a mouthwash with zinc. Meanwhile, I'm using something called XyliSwish that has xylitol, aloe and silver. My oral LP (if that's actually what it is) hasn't gotten any worse although I'm not sure it's gotten any better, either. It's frustrating.

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@hi5rockymountain

best of life: have been suffering with red gums with streaks of whilte from lichen planus the last couple days and have had it for years. We were living in FL over a dozen years ago, went to 4 different dentists who did not have a clue what was going on. Moved up north and a dermatologist diagnosed it via biopsy. It started itching on my hip bones, then to back with blotchs, had cream for that and had it on scap, med for that. Now due to GCA and prednisone my jaw bones have loss and the spaces between my teeth burn from lichen planus. Use Dexamethosone and have to stay away from spicy and acidic foods.

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Oh Lord, I hope it doesn't get that bad. I have been using salt water, warm water, rinses several times a day. It burns at first, but then stops and stops the burning. I use Periodontax several times a day and it is wonderful. Also purchased a clear gel and trays called
Perio-care. It is for bleeding raw gums and really helps alot. Mercy, what a crazy mess to find yourself in. Be well folks!

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@jmhilde61

I haven't yet found a mouthwash with zinc. Meanwhile, I'm using something called XyliSwish that has xylitol, aloe and silver. My oral LP (if that's actually what it is) hasn't gotten any worse although I'm not sure it's gotten any better, either. It's frustrating.

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jmhilde61: I now have itching on my back and blotchy which is how LP acted when I was first diagnosed. Can't remember what med (cream) I used but will call dematology and go from there. Mouth is still sore but hope I will calm down but have an appointment with dentist early in March. My mother had oral pain even eating a banana and eventually have cancer on inner checck

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This is my first time in this group.... but unfortunately OLP has been part of my life for about 5 years. I was diagnosed by an Oral Surgeon by biopsy. I then went to the dental School at Indiana University where I received an enormous amount of attention and diagnosis. I came away with 5 different prescriptions. Pilocarpine for dry mouth, Hydroxychloroquine , Dexamethasone, Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Prednisone. I still take the Prednisone when I have a flare only ...but take the Pilocarpine and Dexamethasone daily. I saw no improvement with the Hydroxychloroquine so let it drop. But still in spite of the fact I am under the constant care of 3 dentists ( 2 are my immediate family!) it is a condition that will never completely go away! And I have come to the conclusion that it is entirely up to me to refrain from all acidic foods .. Ketchup is the WORST... cranberries, pineapple, strawberries, salsa, any FRESH fruit. etc etc.
My greatest fear is that the most persistent sore in my cheek will become cancerous. Does anyone have a situation where that has happened?
I highly recommend getting to a Dental School at your nearest University. It was well worth it! Good luck to you all ! PS. I also have Celiac Disease and am Lactose Intolerant.

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