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

Help! Anyone with this version of OLP? I had OLP 6 years ago. Never went away, evolved into the following: scalloped design all around the perimeter of my tongue / lip somewhat misshapen on one side / Now it impairs my speech and people are constantly asking "what was that?" AS a teacher, this has begun to interfere with my job. Any experience with this? I;ve been to many doctors in high-level institutions. No luck.

@rashida, I live in the states. Thank you for your concern. Every day is a challenge, not only for me but many others. All we can do is try to get through the day. Ah, then if we are lucky we will have sleep. Have a good night's rest. @joybringer1

I have had Lichen Planus for over 2 years on my gums with extreme bleeding. A few months ago I developed a sore on the side of my tongue. Hurt to eat talk..ect. My sister who is an RN suggested I take Valtrex. After taking 2 tablets a day for 4 days all Lichen Planus vanished. This leads me to believe it is viral. 2 months later and very little symptoms of LP.

@lichenplanussufferer Lichen Planus is not viral, it's an autoimmune disease.
I guess you got lucky, seeing yours disappear by using Valtrex. I sincerely hope it doesn't come back on you.
Best wishes, Laurie.

Hello, everyone,
I am new to Lichen planus. About a year or so ago, my dentist commented on my gums that they were so red that this must be lichen planus, but he thought it weird that only areas of my gums were "fire engine" red! He said to watch it for a few weeks and call back if still red-I called back and I am not certain the message was relayed to him. I was not in discomfort so I let it go-had never heard of lichen planus, so on with life!
My next dentist appointment, he was alarmed that my gums looked so inflamed and gums recessed. I was sent to a periodontist who cleaned the roots of all my teeth and I am set up to have my teeth cleaned every 3 months alternating between the dentist and periodontist. He did a biopsy which confirmed erosive lichen planus and referred me to a specialist. Now I am alarmed-they were all so empathetic at the periodontist encouraging me that the gum tissue had improved after the root cleaning and I was feeling more positive!
My appointment with the specialist left me numb! He's a dermatologist and dentist. He looked at my mouth and said that it "was a mess"!
"We'll have to treat this aggressively"! So began clobetasol and minocycline daily and I ended up with oral thrush!!! They backed off the clobetasol to every other day. At three months, he was pleased with the results and removed the minocycline and added an "anti-rejection" medicine rinse. He checked and said I also have it vaginally! I am using another cream there.
My tongue often feels like it's been scraped. My husband and I had been going through a rough patch, but had just begun to iron things out and wanted to return to intimacy but the pain is incredible!
I am looking for advice, empathy, a place to share and find answers. I am frightened as this increases the chance of squamous cell carcinoma and I have had two spots removed elsewhere prior to the LP.
Thank you for any help
microgirl

Hello @microgirl, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I read a post earlier in this discussion where @orangealert mentioned that mouthwashes and toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can often make the symptoms worse. I don't have oral lichen planus but used to have a lot of canker sores frequently and switched to a toothpaste that does not contains SLS and it has helped me. @artist01 @rashida and other member may also have suggestions.

You mentioned the appointment with the specialist not going very well. Have you thought about a second opinion at a major teaching hospital or health facility like Mayo Clinic?

Hi John,
Thank you. I am currently using toothpaste and mouthwash specifically for sensitive gums, but I do need to check to make certain they do not contain SLS. I ordered auto-immune support lozenges this morning containing echinacea, zinc and vitamine C, which was suggested by someone.
The specialist seems very informative and he was pleased with the results so far, but I would like to get to ground zero as to why this is happening and see if I can remove the stimulus from my life rather than just treating the symptoms which is what I believe we are doing.
The second opinion may be a good direction. Thank you

I have lichen Planus Orally, in the genitalia , and on my skin. Some form of anti inflammatory is regularly prescribed! There is no cure but you cam maintain a reasonably pain free life if you don’t let the lesions overwhelm you. I see 3 different Dr’s as they each treat a different body part. But I am reasonably pain free and am able to eat. Best of luck. My Gynecologist refereed to LP as the Trifecta. I have had the disease for about 37years. The treatment is much better now! Foods that aggravate my symptoms are: Any small amount of dairy, any nuts, acid foods and alcohol. Best of luck!

Hi-recently diagnosed-oral and vaginal. I am doing a steroid gel and a swish with an anti-rejection liquid. I am getting overwhelmed. I am so obsessed with checking my mouth! Some days everything looks somewhat normal and then I will look later in the day and my gums are red and my tongue looks swollen and scraped!