What is the best treatment for vulvar lichen planus?

Cortisone cream applied to the vulva and vagina can provide relief and stop lichen planus from getting worse. Strong cortisone is safe to use on inflamed skin and will not cause the skin of your vulva to thin. Medications such as prednisolone or methotrexate may also help. These come in a tablet form.

How is hypertrophic lichen planus treated?

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog), 5 to 10 mg per mL injection, should be used to treat hypertrophic lichen planus. Three to six weeks of oral prednisone therapy should be used to treat severe, widespread lichen planus (tapered course, 30 to 60 mg per day starting dose).

What is Hypertrophic lichen planus?

Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) is the second most common cutaneous variant of lichen planus. It is characterized as extremely pruritic, and thick hyperkeratotic plaques are seen primarily on the shins or dorsal aspect of the foot and may be covered by a fine adherent scale.

What’s the difference between lichen planus and lichen sclerosus?

The main difference between the two conditions is that LP has a propensity to involve the mucous membranes including the mouth and vagina which are rarely affected in LS. First-line treatment for LS is a super-potent topical corticosteroid ointment which has a high response rate.

What autoimmune diseases cause lichen planus?

Analysis of data obtained from a Taiwan insurance database containing approximately 12,500 lichen planus patients revealed a significant association between lichen planus and systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome (significant in females only), dermatomyositis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.

What are the different types of lichen planus?

Lichen planus has four varieties: Erosive LP (affects the vulva and vagina, often the labia minora and vestibule) Papulosquamous LP (affects the vulva, anal and perineum with small, very itchy red/purple papules, or pink lesions that are hard to find the edges of, often confused with genital warts or molluscum contagiosum) Hypertrophic LP…

What are the symptoms of penile lichen planus?

Penile lichen planus usually presents with classical papules in a ring around the glans. White streaks and erosive lichen planus may occur but are less common. Erosive lichen planus uncommonly affects the lacrimal glands, eyelids, external ear canal, oesophagus, larynx, bladder and anus.

Can a woman have gingival lichen planus?

The condition affects around one per cent of all women, with it being more common in the mouth (gingival lichen planus). A quarter of women with gingival lichen planus will see vulvovaginal symptoms, including keratinisation of the skin on the trunk, arms, and legs. It can also occur in the rectum and oesophagus.

Is there a cure for lichen planus ( LP )?

Lichen planus can be confused with a drug reaction from beta-blockers, methyldopa, quinine, quinidine, or penicillamine. These conditions are often chronic and recurrent, being resistant to treatments, and there is no standardised effective treatment for LP.