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

@joybringer1 I had lichen planus - which felt like razor cuts all around my gums. Is that the same as burning mouth? Initially I was given a (steroid?) injection all around my gums by an oral surgeon I was referred to. This cleared up the lichen planus as well as my psoriasis, but both returned with a vengeance after four or six months and I went back to ask for another injection. She said the injection was not a permanent solution and referred me to a dermatologist who put me on Methotrexate, which kept it and my psoriasis under control. I had to titrate down on my dosage because of history of fatty liver disease and at the lowered dosage psoriasis has returned on my scalp with a vengeance - but my mouth is still clear! I find eating mushrooms causes a recurrence still, but not as severe while in Methotrexate.

@joybringer1 I had lichen planus - which felt like razor cuts all around my gums. Is that the same as burning mouth? Initially I was given a (steroid?) injection all around my gums by an oral surgeon I was referred to. This cleared up the lichen planus as well as my psoriasis, but both returned with a vengeance after four or six months and I went back to ask for another injection. She said the injection was not a permanent solution and referred me to a dermatologist who put me on Methotrexate, which kept it and my psoriasis under control. I had to titrate down on my dosage because of history of fatty liver disease and at the lowered dosage psoriasis has returned on my scalp with a vengeance - but my mouth is still clear! I find eating mushrooms causes a recurrence still, but not as severe while in Methotrexate.

@rashida, my diagnosis was burning mouth syndrome. I wouldn't describe my feelings like razor cuts. My mouth, tongue, and lips felt like they were on fire. In the winter, I used my cold hands to press on my lips and I sucked on ice for inside my mouth. I kept telling the doctors that the inside my mouth felt like a garbage can. Not sure why I chose that comparison. That is under control with the Clonazepam. Razor cuts would describe what is going on in my vulva area. That was diagnosed as lichen sclerosis. I surely have not been cured of that. I do not believe there is a cure. I go from one flare to another very rapidly. I use Halobetasol and a compounded numbing ointment. Prior to that, I used Lidocaine/Prilocaine to numb. My scalp does burn and I use Head and Shoulders shampoo. My dermatologist just said I had flaky scalp. Nothing really helps that, but my PCP recommended 20 mg. of Amitriptyline at night. He was hoping it would help both areas. I suppose it could be worse, but sitting can be very painful. Sometimes I sit on an ice pack. If I were you, I would drop eating any mushrooms. I wonder if there is any connection between lichen planus and lichen sclerosis. I will have to look into that. I am sure you are as tired as I am of looking for help. Onward and upward! @joybringer1

@rashida, my diagnosis was burning mouth syndrome. I wouldn't describe my feelings like razor cuts. My mouth, tongue, and lips felt like they were on fire. In the winter, I used my cold hands to press on my lips and I sucked on ice for inside my mouth. I kept telling the doctors that the inside my mouth felt like a garbage can. Not sure why I chose that comparison. That is under control with the Clonazepam. Razor cuts would describe what is going on in my vulva area. That was diagnosed as lichen sclerosis. I surely have not been cured of that. I do not believe there is a cure. I go from one flare to another very rapidly. I use Halobetasol and a compounded numbing ointment. Prior to that, I used Lidocaine/Prilocaine to numb. My scalp does burn and I use Head and Shoulders shampoo. My dermatologist just said I had flaky scalp. Nothing really helps that, but my PCP recommended 20 mg. of Amitriptyline at night. He was hoping it would help both areas. I suppose it could be worse, but sitting can be very painful. Sometimes I sit on an ice pack. If I were you, I would drop eating any mushrooms. I wonder if there is any connection between lichen planus and lichen sclerosis. I will have to look into that. I am sure you are as tired as I am of looking for help. Onward and upward! @joybringer1

@joybringer1 Oh gosh, life can be cruel! I'm so sorry you have all that pain and trouble.
I've had scalp issues too, likely from my GCA. Selsun Blue was recommended by my doc, which didn't work. I've tried so many different shampoos and conditioners, I gave away a whole box of them that I was allergic to, to a friend. I finally showed up at our local Healthyway Foods and talked to a very knowledgeable staff member. She recommended Curelle products (Canada), and I've been using the shampoo, conditioner, build-up remover treatment (helps to remove sebum, etc.), even styling gel, which I haven't been able to use for years due to allergy. Although other products I tried "said" they were "natural", these products are pure, and they work. No more itchy scalp, pain, etc.! I urge you to check with your local health food store! Good luck! Laurie

Hi. I'm new to this group. I've had LP "flares" a number of times but it usually calms down after a couple of weeks. Now it has hit a different gear. In early Sept. the dermatologist had treated some precancerous places on my right hand and he said it "traumatized" my LP and created numerous problems. He prescribed Clobatosol cream but it has not helped. Please let me know what dosage of Valtrex and how long did you stay on it. I see my dermatologist again tomorrow and want to discuss it with him. Sounds too good to be true but I'm willing to try. Have a Blessed day.
Faye

@artist01 Thank you! I’m in Toronto and have the Healthy Planet here so I definitely will go in there check out Curelle! I thought that was just lotion, which I think I have tried (I have tried so many lotions and creams for my itchy body, I forget the names!) but I’d never heard of Curelle shampoo and conditioner!