Top 5 Homeopathic Remedies for Lichen Planus Treatment

Lichen Planus is a chronic, non-infectious, inflammatory condition of the skin and mucous membranes. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system cannot differentiate between its own cells and foreign cells, hence it mistakenly starts attacking its own normal cells.

Homeopathy offers great help in treating all types of Lichen Planus in a very effective manner. Since homeopathic medicines are completely natural, they treat Lichen Planus safely with no side effects at all. These medicines help heal the eruptions and relieve the attending symptoms simultaneously to control the further progression of skin lesions. In the conventional system of medicine to control the immune-mediated responses, immunosuppressants like corticosteroids are prescribed, orally or topically. It suppresses the problem that gives temporary relief rather than providing a permanent solution. These medicines can cause side effects if used continuously for a long time period and as soon as these steroids are discontinued, the improvement stops and one finds oneself back at square one. But in homeopathy, the medicines treat this condition in a mild, gentle way without adverse effects and usually give results that are permanent by treating the root cause of the problem.

Homeopathic medicines are non-suppressive

Homeopathic medicines do not recommend the suppression of Lichen Planus with the application of ointments. In homeopathy, it is believed if skin complaints are suppressed, they can recur with more severity in the future. Ointments are not recommended in this system of medicine.

Homeopathy optimises immune system

In Lichen Planus, the homeopathic system addresses the underlying cause and helps to optimise the overactive immune system in a natural harmless way. This results in controlling the self-harming response of the immune system. As a result, it gives long-term relief and cure in many cases of mild to moderate intensity.

Constitutional treatment

Homeopathy gives excellent results in Lichen Planus cases with constitutional treatment. It refers to a treatment based on analyzing cases on both physical and emotional aspects of a person. This treatment aims to correct the disturbed state of the body for cure and not just symptomatic relief.

No side effects of medicines

Homeopathic remedies are free from any sort of harsh effects. The medicines used in homeopathy for Lichen Planus do not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins. They are prepared from naturally occurring substances, so these can be used in all cases without any concern of side-effects.

Top 5 Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Lichen Planus

The main medicines to treat Lichen Planus are Sulphur, Arsenicum Album, Merc Sol, Sulph Iod and Kali Iod.

1. Sulphur – For Lichen Planus with itching and burning

Sulphur is the most efficient and widely used homeopathic medicine to treat various kinds of skin disorders especially in cutaneous Lichen Planus, when the eruptions tend to increase rapidly and have already worsened due to application of ointments on the skin. Patients having cutaneous LP with papules and extreme skin dryness, who have unhealthy skin, respond very well to Sulphur. Extreme itching in the eruptions is best treated by this remedy.  There is marked scratching and itching. In such cases, a burning sensation may follow scratching. The itching generally worsens toward the night and while getting warm in bed.

When to use Sulphur?

Sulphur offers excellent help in Lichen Planus cases having papules, along with skin dryness, itching and burning sensation. It is also the best choice of medicine for cases in which the application of ointments in the past has worsened the skin complaint.

How to use Sulphur?

It acts wonderfully in 30C potency which is mainly recommended with infrequent repetitions like once or twice a week.

2. Arsenicum Album – For Eruptions That Are Scaly And Itchy

Arsenicum Album proves to be very effective in classic cases of Lichen Planus, with bluish eruptions that are dry, rough and scaly in appearance. The eruptions can be extremely dry, causing a lot of itching, forcing the sufferer to scratch constantly. The more one scratches, the worse it gets. The medicine Arsenicum Album is also indicated in the later stages when the plaques have resolved leaving the underlying skin hard. It is also helpful in cases of LP of the scalp with thick scabs.

When to use Arsenicum Album?

Arsenicum Album is used to treat Lichen Planus when eruptions are rough, dry covered with scales and itching is marked. It is also used when the skin has hardened after the eruptions subside.

How to use Arsenicum Album?

It is usually indicated in 30 C potency that can be taken once a day.

3. Sulphur Iod – Top Treatment For Lichen Planus Of Face, Arms

Sulphur Iod is considered the best natural medicine for Lichen Planus when the face and arms are covered with papular eruptions, with constant itching. When indicated, the arms are covered with an itchy rash. Sulphur Iod helps treat cases of obstinate LP.

When to use Sulph Iod?

Sulph Iod is suggested for Lichen Planus when the face and arms are affected with the presence of itchy rashes.

How to use Sulph Iod?

It is used in 30 potency in these cases just one time a day.

 4. Merc Sol – One Of The Best Remedies For Mucosal Lichen Planus

Merc Sol is one of the top natural remedies for Mucosal Lichen Planus, especially oral Lichen Planus. Merc Sol is an ideal remedy when the main complaint of the patient is irregular ulcers inside the cheeks. The edges are not well defined. The cheeks give a very unhealthy and dirty appearance. In addition to these ulcers, there is increased saliva, and bad odor emanates from the mouth.

When to use Merc Sol?

Merc Sol is mainly recommended for oral Lichen Planus when there is intense ulceration along with burning in the mouth.

Howe  to use Merc Sol?

Its use is preferred in low potencies like 30C that can be taken once or twice a day as per the severity of symptoms.

5. Kali Iodatum – For Lichen Planus Of Legs

Kali Iodatum helps cases of LP when purple patches are present on the body, especially legs. These eruptions are generally dry and papular. In such patients, itching increases mainly at night or from heat, even from the heat of bedcovers.

When to use Kali Iod?

Kali Iod is considered mainly when lichen mainly affects the legs with itching that gets worse at night and from warmth.

How to use Kali Iod?

It is advised to use Kali Iod 30C once a day.

What Causes LP?

The cause of Lichen Planus is unknown. However, it is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which a T-cell-mediated response is happening at the basal (deepest) layer of the skin. The body mistakenly invites cytokines (that usually control the growth and activity of the cells), which are responsible for cellular death at the deepest layer of the skin. This further results in disruption of melanin (skin pigment) production, hence the purple pigmentation and further thickening of the skin takes place.

Lichen Planus may accompany other diseases of altered immunity, such as ulcerative colitis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, dermatomyositis, lichen sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, etc. As mentioned the cause of Lichen Planus is usually unknown, but some possible underlying factors that may act as a trigger are as below:

1. Genetic predisposition

2. Physical and emotional stress

3. Injury to skin: Lichen Planus often appears where the skin has been scratched or after surgery (Kobner phenomenon)

4. Localized skin diseases, such as Herpes Zoster

5. Systemic viral infection, such as Hepatitis C

6. Certain medicines, including some drugs used to treat high BP, diabetes, heart disease and malaria; gold, quinine, quinidine, and others can cause a lichenoid rash.

7. Contact allergy, such as metal fillings in oral Lichen Planus (rare) and color photographic developers.

Types  & Symptoms of Lichen Planus

The symptoms of Lichen Planus depend on the parts affected. The main types along with the symptoms are:

1. Cutaneous Lichen Planus:

The term cutaneous means ‘skin’. This is the classical type of Lichen Planus, when the skin, nails or hair gets affected. The symptoms can range from zero to intense itching, along with the following:

2. Flat-topped, purple-colored, shining papules(hard elevation without fluid) on the skin, sometimes with white, lacy lines.

3. The main sites are the inner forearm, wrist, legs, ankles, and face.

4. It can vary from the size of head of a pin to a centimeter.

5. The papules may appear in rings or in a line. The lesions are typically bilateral and symmetrical, meaning they are similarly placed on both sides of the body.

6. Plaques resolve after a few months to leave a greyish-brown rash that can take a year or more to fade away.

7. The nails, when affected can either become thin, brittle or ridged OR dark, thick, or raised. They can sometimes shed off or stop growing.

8. On the scalp, red patches can form around clusters of hair and can also lead to irreversible hair loss.

2. Mucosal Lichen Planus:

When the innermost mucus-secreting layer of the body gets affected, it is termed as Mucosal Lichen Planus. The main areas to get affected are the mucosa of the mouth (Oral LP) and genitals. These parts can be affected individually or together at the same time. When the mucosa gets affected, the presenting symptoms based on the location are:

 A. Oral LP

1. Mild Oral LP does not cause a lot of burning or discomfort

2. A whitish pattern on the gums, tongue or teeth

3. Red or white patchesin the mouth

4. Painful red gums that may bleed

5. Burning in the mouth, causing difficulty in eating or drinking

B. LP in males, affecting penis:

1. Purple or white ring-shaped patches around the penis, generally non-itchy.

2. Formation of flat-topped papules on the penis that are a little shiny

C. LP in females, affecting the vagina and vulva:

1. The vulva (external genitals) can be white, red or pale in color.

2. There can be a lot of burning and soreness in the affected areas.

3. Sticky yellow or white vaginal discharge, which can also be bloodstained

4. Painful sexual intercourse, when the vagina gets affected.

5. Narrowing of the opening of vagina due to scar tissue formation

3. Lichen Planus Pigmentosus (LPP)

1. Lichen Planus Pigmentosus is a rare form of Lichen Planus.

2. Mainly found on the areas exposed to the Sun, like forehead, neck, and temples

3. Present as brown or gray patches on the skin

4. It can also develop on areas where the skin touches or rubs together, for example: groin

5. LPP can be triggered by viral infections, UV light or local applications on skin