Is lichen planus connected to autoimmune conditions?

Hi @esther589, I expanded the title of your discussion to reflect the question you are asking. My understanding is that lichen planus is not categorized as an autoimmune condition. However it has been associated with autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata, autoimmune thyroiditis, celiac disease, dermatomyositis (DM), type 1 diabetes mellitus, Sjogren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

- Lichen planus is associated with other autoimmune conditions: A retrospective population-level study https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(23)03216-4/fulltext

For tips from other members managing oral lichen planus, you may wish to join this discussion:
- Oral Lichen Planus: How do you cope with it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/oral-lichen-planus-1/

My understanding is that lichen planus IS an autoimmune condition for which there is no cure. Mine goes into remission for periods of time - sometimes years but can reemerge in response to stress or oral dental work.

I have Lichen Planus on my skin, Oral LP and Esophageal Lichen Planus.
ELP is incredibly rare. Less than 50 people in the country have ELP.
It is an autoimmune disease . The body attacks the mucus membranes in the body.
I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disease. I have had Hashimoto's for many years. I was diagnosed with ELP, OLP and LP three years ago.

The LP on my skin has been in remission for almost a year!! I feel very fortunate!

Take care! ❣️

I am happy to hear you are getting a break from it all. It gives me hope 🥰

I am taking Tramadol for the pain which helps my lichen. Also I'm using Clobetasol. What are you taking for pain?

I'm not taking anything because i take pregabalin at night for pain to deal with nerve issues and pain in my legs caused by a cyst on my spinal cord.

@cgrasse54 same here!

What kind of pain do you have with your lichen planus? I've just been diagnosed with it. It has affected my arms, legs and has really attacked esophagus. It really makes eating uncomfortable.

I have it predominantly on my mouth but there are times when it develops on my chest, arms and legs. As you say, the discomfort with eating is the worst thing. Also talking can be uncomfortable for me at times.

I was diagnosed by my dentist with Oral Lichen Planus almost a year ago. She has been guiding me in what I can try to treat it with. At the dentist recommendation, I tried to see a rheumatologist who also treat autoimmune issues and I've seen before for Vitiligo. She advised that the 3 providers in our county do not treat OLP.

I'd like to know who you see. Do you see Derm? Would they treat the mouth as a skin? We don't have a lot of choices in our area. Please advise. Thank you all.