Ayurvedic Treatment for Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is a chronic recurrent rash due to inflammation and characterised by small, flat-topped, many-sided (polygonal) bumps that grow together into rough, scaly plaques over the skin. Rashes may also be seen on mucous membranes of the mouth or vagina. Lichen planus lesions exhibit a range of pigmentary dyschromia, from brown-blackish to blue or purple-grey macules or patches.
Ayurvedic View Of Lichen Planus
In Ayurveda all skin diseases are collectively described as kushta roga in. Due to its resemblance in signs and symptoms, Lichen planus can be correlated with charma kushtha, which has aggravation of vata, pitta and kapha dosha. The vitiated dosha affects the skin and blood circulation and it also affects the moisture level of the tissues and eventually skin becomes discoloured, rough and thick.
Causes
- The exact cause of lichen planus is still unknown. But the maximum number of patients with extensive lichen planus are more likely to have a Hepatitis C virus infection of the liver, though it is unclear that virus is the cause of lichen planus.
- Drugs which contain Arsenic, bismuth and gold, can trigger signs and symptoms of lichen planus.
- Exposure to chemicals used to develop color photographs also trigger rashes.
- The long-term use of the quinidine drugs used in the treatment for malaria.
- Some microscopic organisms or worms may produce hypertrophic lichen planus of the lower limbs.
- Lichen eruptions can occur in people who have received bone marrow transplants
Classification
- Oral Lichen Planus
When lichen planus affects the mouth it causes small blue-white spots, which are tender or mildly painful typically found on the sides of the tongue or the insides of the cheek and gum. - Lichen planus pigmentosus
Oval greyish brown marks appearing on the face, neck, limbs and trunk without an inflammatory phase is called Lichen planus pigmentosus. - Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammation of the skin seen in reproductive organs and anus. It affects men, women and children, but is more common in women. It usually occurs on the vulva in women and on the head of the penis in men. Occasionally can also be seen on other parts of the body like upper body, breasts, and upper arms.
- Lichen planopilaris
It is type Follicular lichen planus, also known as lichen planopilaris, which causes tiny red spiny papules around a cluster of hairs which rarely blister.
- Lichen planus of the nails
Lichen planus affects one or more nails in 10% of cases, sometimes even without involving the skin surface. The nail plate thins and may become grooved and ridged.
Ayurvedic Treatment Of Lichen Planus At Ayur Healthcare
Ayurvedic treatment of lichen planus involves a comprehensive treatment strategy which involves strengthening of the digestive system, detoxification of the body and rejuvenation.
- Detoxification of the body with Panchakarma: Detoxing the body is an important and vital part of most Ayurvedic treatments, to remove toxins that have accumulated in the body. After assessing the patient’s condition, the treatment may involve Virechana (induced purgation), Basti (enema) and Nasya (purifying nasal therapy).
- Correcting functioning of Agni and preventing further generation of Ama(Toxin): The Practitioners at Ayur Healthcare can correct the imbalanced Agni or digestive fire. This involves diet modifications to boost the digestive fire.
- Pacifying the symptoms: In order to then control the symptoms of gargling (Kavala), medicated oil/decoction pouring (Dhara), medicines for external application (Lepa), herbal oil massage (Abhyanga) are useful.
- Rasayana or rejuvenating medicines: The treatment procedures to rejuvenate and restore the body tissues along with some herbal formulation to reduce the symptoms of Lichen Planus.
Health Tips To Deal With Lichen Planus
- Keep yourself away from pollution, chemicals and excessive sunlight which may damage your immunity system.
- Reducing stress and aiming for good mental health is important to tackle this condition. Include practice of yoga and meditation in your daily life.
- Avoid consumption of spicy, sour, oily, heavy, fried, processed and fermented food, curd, fast food, refined sugar and sour foods.
- Consume turmeric, cumin, bitter vegetables, ginger, holy basil and cardamom. These all are effective for dealing with lichenplanus.
