Lichen Planus
Also known as: lichen planus, itchy purple rash, lichen planus mouth
Lichen planus is an itchy, shiny, purple polygonal rash, sometimes in the mouth or genitals, from immune inflammation. Topical steroids are the mainstay. Chinese medicine reads it as wind-damp with stasis, liver constraint with heat, or yin deficiency with stasis, treating the itch and the underlying pattern alongside.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Use prescribed steroid creams/mouthwashes consistently.
- •Avoid scratching — it thickens lesions.
- •Manage stress; flares track with it.
- •Long-standing mouth lesions need periodic specialist checks.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Herbal courses coordinated with topical treatment.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review at 6 weeks: itch score, lesion extent, mouth involvement. Coordinate with dermatology.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- NHS · 2024
- National Library of Medicine · 2024
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.