Lichen Planus
I have had lichen planus for over a year. It affects the mucous lining of my mouth and tongue but the cause and cure are unknown so I am keen to find out more and try any natural remedies.
Lichen planus, which can cause very painful sores, often first appears as a fine, lacy network of white lines inside the cheeks or on the side of the tongue. The cause is not known and while it often clears itself, there is no cure as such.
This is not, however, a condition you can simply ignore since, in a very small number of prolonged cases, it may also lead to skin cancer. This means you should make sure you not only have proper medical supervision by a consultant dermatologist or oral surgeon, but also that you become vigilant about monitoring any changes to the lesions yourself says Dr George Lewith, a consultant physician and specialist in complementary medicine.
Steroids such as corticosteroid are the usual conventional treatment and there is currently no clinical evidence to prove any of the complementary remedies work. Nonetheless, you can, according to Dr Lewith, expect some improvement with a combined and preferably tailor-made course of homeopathy and nutritional medicine.
The two homeopathic remedies he suggests you investigate with your own holistic health practitioner are Arsenicum Album and Arsenicum Iodat. A homeopathic constitutional diagnosis, which will also take into account your personality type and your detailed medical history, should confirm which of these two are best suited to you.
In addition, both zinc which works to support the immune system and a good vitamin B complex may help. The B vitamins are known as nature’s own stress-busters and always work best synergistically when taken together which is why a B complex is often recommended.
*Dr George Lewith is co-founder of The Centre for The Study of Complementary Medicine (020-7935 7848). To find a medically-qualified practitioner contact The British Homeopathic Association on 08704-443950. The Society of Homeopaths keeps a register of non-medically qualified practitioners. Call 01604-817890 to find one in your area. For a free copy of the ARH Register of qualified homeopaths from the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths, phone 08700 736339 or visit www.a-r-h.org online.