Lichen Planus – Causes and treatments

Lichen planus is a skin condition that causes swelling and irritation in the skin and is accompanied by tiny bumps. It is not contagious but it can cause some painful sores. One can manage the mild cases of lichen planus but when it comes to severe conditions; it requires medical attention.

Causes of lichen planus

Lichen planus skin condition is caused when the immune system of your body attacks the cells of the skin or the mucous membrane.

• Genetic predisposition
• An immune reaction or an allergic reaction to certain medications has been linked with lichen planus. It is an auto-immune disease, where the body’s protective cells attack the body’s own healthy tissues by mistaking them to be an outsider.
• Amalgam dental fillings can give rise to lichen planus as those fillings can trigger allergic reactions.
• Some of the typical chemicals that are used in the development of color photographs can trigger allergic reactions. These reactions can produce rashes which give rise to lichen planus.
• Emotional stress and anxiety for a longer period of time can trigger the abnormal functioning of the immune system which can lead to lichen planus.