8 treatment options for facial lichen

Lichen planus is one of the skin diseases that appear in the form of a rash as a result of the reaction of the immune system, and its cause is not known precisely, it may be due to a viral infection, especially the hepatitis C virus, or exposure to an irritant or allergen, or stress, or because of Genes, and it may be accompanied by autoimmune symptoms in which the immune system attacks the cells of the body. It is not contagious and not dangerous, but it causes discomfort, and sometimes it is painful and severe.

HiPharma offers you a treatment for lichen in the face and its symptoms, and ways to prevent it. Symptoms of facial lichenplanus generally has different symptoms according to the affected area, and it develops over a period of weeks, and usually affects the wrists, elbows, ankles, and some other areas of the body, and its symptoms that appear on the skin:
• A rash in the form of lumps or a group of shiny, flat, raised sores on the skin, red, pink, or purple.
• Severe itching that worsens at night in the place of pimples.
• The appearance of some white lines, called "Wickham lines".
• Lichen may affect the mouth from the inside, and appear in the form of white lines on the cheeks, gums and tongue. The mouth may ulcerate or appear with red gums, with changes in the sense of taste and dry mouth. Types of Lichen capillary: It can affect the scalp, causing irritation and redness in it, with the possibility of hair loss, which may last and is called Actinic lichen planus: that affects areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, forearms and back of the hands, and appears as hyperpigmentation spots, or a rash that resembles melasma, or in the form of discolored or lichen-shaped blisters, especially in people with darker skin in subtropical regions, and usually they are not painful, stimulated by sunlight, and less severe in winter.

Flat lichen pigmentation: It causes oval or irregular brown to gray spots on the skin of parts exposed to the sun as well, such as the forehead, temples or neck, and it may appear on the torso, or places exposed to constant friction, such as under the armpits or the pubic area, which is a chronic condition.

They get worse in some periods, lessen their intensity in other periods, and may itch or burn, and they usually affect people with darker skin. Lichen treatment of course, you should consult a doctor before putting anything on the affected place, because the treatment of lichen on the face in mild cases usually disappears within weeks or months without treatment, but if it is painful and severe, then it is necessary to visit the doctor for a therapeutic intervention that does not treat the disease, but relieves the symptoms.
In the following lines, we show you 7 types of treatments that your doctor may prescribe for you, namely:
•    Retinoid drugs: a derivative of vitamin "A", to be taken either orally or as a cream.
Steroids: known as cortisone drugs, to reduce inflammation, they are taken either by mouth or injection, or applied as a cream, and must be stopped when the area turns brown or gray. Antihistamines: to relieve itching and inflammation, especially if the lichen is a result of an allergy.
Immunosuppressants: from "calcineurin" inhibitors, such as: "tacrolimus" to relieve itching and rash. Phototherapy, such as ultraviolet light therapy, or laser therapy to relieve symptoms.
 • Cyclosporine tablets: used in very severe cases of lichen to suppress immunity.
Dapsone: which is used for leprosy, but has benefit for lichen.
Hydroxychloroquine: used in the treatment of malaria, as well as autoimmune diseases.


How to prevent lichen:
There are no known means that can prevent it, but some home measures can be taken that help relieve symptoms after asking the doctor about them, such as:
• Exposing the affected area to an oatmeal bath to reduce inflammation. Soak ground oatmeal powder in warm water and use it. Avoid scratching the affected areas, as the condition does not get worse.
• Putting cold water compresses on the place of the rash, to calm it and relieve its pain, and apply aloe vera gel to the affected skin.
• Drink turmeric or green tea, which are known to reduce inflammation.