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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@elmore

My gums are painful and raw in places. Have been diagnosed with lichen planus. Anyone else dealing with this. Told to keep mouth clean, which I have always and get teeth cleaned every 6 months, water pik, dental floss etc. Also recommended Crest Pro Health mouth wash. Anyone else dealing with this? . I am probably overly paranoid too as my spouse is recovering from tongue cancer and lymph node removal surgery. Thank you.

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I’m so very frustrated have had this terrible taste in mouth and pain in check areas for over two months now and after seeing my GI doctor he wanted me to try Famotidine again twice a day. Even though it was on my list of many of the drugs I have tried on over the few years and could not tolerate. I should of recorded why I couldn’t take these drugs but unfortunately I did not. I think he still feels it’s from acid reflux and gerd I had for years. Which amazing I’m not having it now. Only this disgusting taste and pain in my mouth. Checks swell and are very sore inside. Tongue has deep lined in it. Only drinking protein drinks and soft or liguid food. I’m so frustrated don’t know where or who to see next.

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@bustrbrwn22

@microgirl it is wise to keep stocked up on clobetasol but there are other ointments left that have less steroid strength that will result in less loss of skin elasticity if your dermatologist is open to them. If you rarely have an outbreak clobetasol is fine but I tend to get them everywhere so have tacrolimus and desonide for my lips. Please watch your scalp closely. If you notice unusual hair loss report it to your dermatologist. They probably won’t take you seriously but early, aggressive treatment is critical for females to keep as much of their hair as possible to avoid permanent hair loss. LP of the scalp is lichen planopilaris. In a pinch Emuaid first aid ointment has worked for me on skin lesions. May I ask where you have LP on your body so far?

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I have vaginal lp. I wonder if I may have esophageal lp as I started clearing my throat so often (about the same time as the oral lp was diagnosed) and I also often feel as though I can’t get food down and that has been terrifying at times. Recently had a periodontist appt and the hygienist examined my mouth and said-oh, there’s a lesion here and one there-I apparently have lesions and thankfully there is no pain but my tissue is sloughing away!!!
I was told over the summer to use Clobetasol every day which resulted in thrush! 🥲
It’s difficult to complain when so many people are in painful misery, whereas I have erosive lp with no symptoms 🤷‍♀️

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@microgirl

I have vaginal lp. I wonder if I may have esophageal lp as I started clearing my throat so often (about the same time as the oral lp was diagnosed) and I also often feel as though I can’t get food down and that has been terrifying at times. Recently had a periodontist appt and the hygienist examined my mouth and said-oh, there’s a lesion here and one there-I apparently have lesions and thankfully there is no pain but my tissue is sloughing away!!!
I was told over the summer to use Clobetasol every day which resulted in thrush! 🥲
It’s difficult to complain when so many people are in painful misery, whereas I have erosive lp with no symptoms 🤷‍♀️

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@microgirl. Don’t compare your medical issues with others. You have a valid, frustrating condition. It is a terrible one to have. I forgot about the thrush. Yes I have a separate swish and spit for thrush. It never ends…. But for me commiserating with fellow LP folks helps.

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@bustrbrwn22

@microgirl. Don’t compare your medical issues with others. You have a valid, frustrating condition. It is a terrible one to have. I forgot about the thrush. Yes I have a separate swish and spit for thrush. It never ends…. But for me commiserating with fellow LP folks helps.

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I have oral Lichens Planus. My oral surgeon gave me shots of steroids directly into my ulcers on my tongue and they went away for now. One win! However, my immune system has been so compromised, I got shingles after the steroids and am dealing with severe nerve pain now. Most painful thing ever! Almost unbearable.

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@aurport005

I have oral Lichens Planus. My oral surgeon gave me shots of steroids directly into my ulcers on my tongue and they went away for now. One win! However, my immune system has been so compromised, I got shingles after the steroids and am dealing with severe nerve pain now. Most painful thing ever! Almost unbearable.

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Welcome @aurport005, It's good to hear that the steroid shots helped with Oral Lichen Planus but I'm sorry to hear you are now dealing with shingles and the severe nerve pain. I thought you might like to read through the following discussion to see if you might find some help.

-- Anyone else dealing with shingles?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shingles-6/

Have the doctors suggested or ordered any treatments to help with the nerve pain?

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@colleenyoung

Hi @steveandsteph, welcome. I moved your message to this existing discussion about oral lichen planus.

- Oral lichen Planus: What home remedies or medications help you?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/oral-lichen-planus-3/

I did this so you can connect easily with fellow members like @maryz @cmtg @bustrbrwn22 @robinkani @fdixon63 @rashida @artist01 @jshdma @microgirl @chari9 @SusanEllen66, who have experience with OLP.

Steve/Steph, you ask specifically "Can I take Shingles vax with OLP?" That is a very good question and best answered by a physician. You PCP should be able to talk to you about the risks and benefits, and when to get vaccinated.

I believe @chari9 spoke about having OLP and shingles simultaneously and that's rough. I'll be interested to hear what you learn.

How low have you been dealing with oral lichen planus?

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@steveandsteph
Hi Steve and Steph. I've had painful lesions since 2020 with 2 or 3 diagnoses, 5 or 6 prescription meds, 4 or 5 doctors, and no definite diagnosis. One of the most eminent doctors thinks it is NOT Oral Lichen Planus. I've recently been confirmed by testing and diagnosed as having IBD, with very high inflammation markers. I know that UC and Crohns can have this symptom and have suggested it several times to my doctors. I finally have a long-requested appointment with an oral surgeon for a biopsy on October 19th!
I'd be grateful if you could tell me if you have the result of your biopsy yet. Also, were you laid up afterward with pain and not too able to eat, talk, etc. for a while?
I had a traumatic experience years ago with a tongue biopsy that ended up with hospitalization that night from excessive bleeding and blood transfusions. Very painful for a few weeks afterward. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous for this new biopsy procedure. Lol.
Warm regards, Laurie

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@artist01

@steveandsteph
Hi Steve and Steph. I've had painful lesions since 2020 with 2 or 3 diagnoses, 5 or 6 prescription meds, 4 or 5 doctors, and no definite diagnosis. One of the most eminent doctors thinks it is NOT Oral Lichen Planus. I've recently been confirmed by testing and diagnosed as having IBD, with very high inflammation markers. I know that UC and Crohns can have this symptom and have suggested it several times to my doctors. I finally have a long-requested appointment with an oral surgeon for a biopsy on October 19th!
I'd be grateful if you could tell me if you have the result of your biopsy yet. Also, were you laid up afterward with pain and not too able to eat, talk, etc. for a while?
I had a traumatic experience years ago with a tongue biopsy that ended up with hospitalization that night from excessive bleeding and blood transfusions. Very painful for a few weeks afterward. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous for this new biopsy procedure. Lol.
Warm regards, Laurie

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Laurie,
You have had too much time without proper diagnosis…. How horrible:( I feel really bad for you. I had biopsy and it takes 2 weeks to get patho and histology so I get results this Thursday and will let you know. Mine was sent to Florida University Oral Path lab… supposedly excellent but I’m very untrusting with this mouth mess so I’m having one done at UMKC at the recommendation of doc friend who was misdiagnosed with leukoplakia. Sometimes I think they just don’t know or can be wrong:(

On another note… I had zero pain after my biopsy that was done on my gums. He pulled six pieces and I was fine so think you will be good:)))
Best wishes, Thais really is tiring and scary for you… I know too well.
I’m a nurse so I recommend one thing … get your Shingles vax as when you talked steroids, they hurt your immune system and ya sure don’t want to add insult of shingles.

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@steveandsteph

Laurie,
You have had too much time without proper diagnosis…. How horrible:( I feel really bad for you. I had biopsy and it takes 2 weeks to get patho and histology so I get results this Thursday and will let you know. Mine was sent to Florida University Oral Path lab… supposedly excellent but I’m very untrusting with this mouth mess so I’m having one done at UMKC at the recommendation of doc friend who was misdiagnosed with leukoplakia. Sometimes I think they just don’t know or can be wrong:(

On another note… I had zero pain after my biopsy that was done on my gums. He pulled six pieces and I was fine so think you will be good:)))
Best wishes, Thais really is tiring and scary for you… I know too well.
I’m a nurse so I recommend one thing … get your Shingles vax as when you talked steroids, they hurt your immune system and ya sure don’t want to add insult of shingles.

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Prolly should not have recommended Shingrex but ask your doc and steroids and immunity:))

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@rashida

@artist01 someone on one of these lichen planus threads said she uses Crest Kids toothpaste. I did try it and it certainly eased the soreness, although the Fluocinonide gel was what finally cleared it after my last flare up early this year.

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@rashida
Hi Rashida! Thankyou very much for your helpful response with regard to OLP
and the toothpaste discussion. I apologize for my slow reply.
I've made note of Kids' Crest toothpaste, Niazepam and Fluocinonide Gel and will see what my newer docs suggest. I might try the Kids' Crest on my own, if I feel brave! So scared to try anything new in case I make things worse. Take care. Laur

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@artist01

@rashida
Hi Rashida! Thankyou very much for your helpful response with regard to OLP
and the toothpaste discussion. I apologize for my slow reply.
I've made note of Kids' Crest toothpaste, Niazepam and Fluocinonide Gel and will see what my newer docs suggest. I might try the Kids' Crest on my own, if I feel brave! So scared to try anything new in case I make things worse. Take care. Laur

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@artist01 and @rashida, I’ve found another toothpaste that I like. Burt’s Bees for Kids has worked the best for me so far and doesn’t irritate my mouth…no mint, at least in the Strawberry splash which is my favorite. The Crest Kid’s toothpaste tastes ok, with no irritation but it doesn’t leave my mouth feeling very clean or fresh. Have you tried Burt’s Bees Kids?

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