Lichen planus is a skin condition that causes patches of thick, purple-to-red skin. It’s thought to be caused by an overgrowth of yeast and/or bacterial cells in the skin. In this article, you’ll learn about how lichen planus can be treated at home with home remedies like olive oil, lemon juice, tea tree oil and witch hazel.
Types of Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is a skin condition that affects the skin of the body. There are three types of lichen planus: ring-type, columnar-type, and diffuse-type.
Most people with lichen planus have diffuse-type lichen planus. This is the most common type of lichen planus and it affects the entire body. People with diffuse-type lichen planus usually have patches of thick, brown or black patches on their skin. These patches may be flat or raised and they may spread slowly or rapidly.
People with ring-type lichen planus usually have small, round, bright red spots on their skin. These spots may expand slowly or rapidly and may form a ring around the affected area.
People with columnar-type lichen planus can have bands of white or yellowish material on their skin. These bands may form slowly or quickly and they may spread throughout the affected area.
Lichen planus is not contagious, but it can be difficult to treat because it usually doesn’t go away on its own. Treatment usually involves using medications and/or light therapy to shrink the patches and improve the quality of the skin.
Finding and Diagnosing Lichen Planus
If you are experiencing symptoms of lichen planus, the first step is to find and diagnose the condition. Lichen planus can be a difficult condition to identify, but there are several steps you can take to help make the diagnosis.
One way to identify lichen planus is by looking at your skin in a light microscope. Lichen planus lesions will typically have many small bumps on them. They may also be smooth or fibrous, and may have a slightly greenish tint.
If you are unable to find any abnormalities with a light microscope, you may need to take a sample of your skin for analysis. You can do this by using a Q-tip and special wipes that are available from your doctor or pharmacy. Make sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist what type of lichen planus you are experiencing, so they can provide the best treatment for you.
Causes of Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is a skin disorder that can be caused by various factors.
1. Genetics: Some people are more likely to develop lichen planus than others, and the condition may run in families.
2. Age: Lichen planus tends to occur more frequently as people age.
3. Environmental factors: Exposure to sunlight, chemicals, and other environmental toxins may contribute to the development of lichen planus.
4. Disease: Other skin diseases can sometimes lead to the development of lichen planus.
5. Trauma: Injury or trauma to the skin can also lead to the development of lichen planus.
Treatments for Lichen Planus
There are a number of treatments that can be used to treat Lichen Planus, the most common of which is topical therapy. This involves applying the treatment directly to the lesion. Other treatments that can be used include oral medications, phototherapy, and laser therapy.
Topical therapies are the most common type of treatment for Lichen Planus. This is because they are easy to apply and do not require special equipment or visits to a doctor. Topical therapies can be applied either as a cream, lotion, ointment, or solution. They can also be used in combination with other treatments.
Oral medications are another type of treatment for Lichen Planus. These medications are taken by mouth and are usually prescribed by a doctor. They include azelaic acid (Azelex), methotrexate (MTX), and alitretinoin (Altrex). There is evidence that these medications are effective in treating Lichen Planus lesions, but they have side effects that should be considered before taking them.
Phototherapy is another type of treatment for Lichen Planus. This involves exposing the lesion to light waves that damage it cell-by-cell. Phototherapy is usually performed by a dermatologist in a specialized office. It is often used as the first line of treatment for Lichen Planus, but it can only be used to treat lesions that are still present after other treatments have been used.
Eye drops that contain corticosteroids may also be useful in treating Lichen Planus. Corticosteroids are medications normally given to help ease certain types of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Eye drops containing them are usually prescribed by a doctor or ophthalmologist (eye specialist) who has experience with this condition and knows how best to use them.
There is no cure for Lichen Planus, but there are treatments that can help control it while you wait for your body’s immune system to heal the damage it may have caused. Treatment for this condition usually involves both natural and prescription medicines.
How to Get Rid of Lichen Planus
One of the most common skin conditions is lichen planus. This condition is caused by an overgrowth of the cells that produce skin pigment (melanin). Lichen planus can affect any part of the body, but is most common on the face, neck, and hands.
There are several simple home remedies that can be used to get rid of lichen planus. One method is to use a topical cream or lotion that contains azelaic acid. This acid helps to remove the cells that are causing the overgrowth.
Other methods include using light therapy or oral medications. These treatments work by either stimulating the production of new skin cells or by attacking the overgrown cells.

Sonal Mitra 
Yojna Aggarwal