What is Lichen planus?

It is a condition that manifests through flat, reddish rashes that irritate and inflame the skin, and can also appear on the nails and oral, vaginal, and other mucous membranes, forming whitish spots with sores that cause pain.

Skin bumps develop over two to three weeks, are not contagious, and usually do not cause complications, but if the pain and itching are severe, you will need to see your doctor for treatment.

Although lichen planus can affect anyone, its incidence is higher in adults between 40 and 50 years old.

The origin of this condition is an abnormal reaction of the immune system, which attacks the skin and mucous membrane cells.

The exact reason for this autoimmune dysfunction is unknown, but the following have been identified as triggering factors:

Painkillers.
Pharmacological treatments for cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and high blood pressure.
Hepatitis C.
Flu and influenza vaccines.
Some chemicals.
Certain metals.

Signs and symptoms Lichen planus

Oral whitish spots.
Oral and vaginal sores that cause pain.
Hair loss.
Flat, reddish rashes on the arms, legs, and genital area.
Scabs formed from burst blisters.
Darkening of the skin of the scalp.
Injured nails.
Itch.
Burning.

If you have any of these symptoms, go to your doctor to obtain a timely diagnosis and treatment, preventing complications and larger damage such as:

Permanent skin darkening.
Oral cancer risk.
Partial or total loss of hearing.
Sexual problems from vulvar and vaginal scar tissue.
Difficulties eating due to oral injuries.

Diagnosis and treatment Lichen planus

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination examining your type of injuries.

They will also request blood tests to determine if you have hepatitis C, a skin biopsy, and allergy tests.

Flat lichen is usually treated through medicines that control the symptoms and promote healing, such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, retinoids, and antihistamines.

Also, phototherapy can be used as a complement, so that healing can be achieved through light. Sometimes it is a recurrent condition, so you have to see your doctor periodically to ensure that it does not return.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments

Internal medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

topdoctors.es
mayoclinic.org
medlineplus.gov
msdmanuals.com
merckmanuals.com
medigraphic.com
Narváez-Salazar M, Gabasa-Gorgas L, Espiau-Romera A, et al. Liquen plano, variante pápulo-escamosa o clásica: afectación vulvar y extragenital. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2020;88(09):632-637.
Rivera-Reza DI, Villanueva-Vilchis MC, Gaitán-Cepeda LA. Impacto de enfermedades orales asociadas a estrés sobre la calidad de vida. Odovtos-Int J Dent Sc. 2020;22(2):143-156.
DíazCLEO,Fernández V, Pombo T, et al. Identificación de apoptosis liquen plano oral con caspasa 3. Rev ADM. 2020;77(2):70-79. doi:10.35366/93098.
Ramírez HL, Franco MAC, Eljure LN, et al. Liquen plano: perfil clínico y características demográficas de 129 casos en el Centro Dermatológico de Yucatán. Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica. 2016;14(3):185-190.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is Lichen planus?

Signs and symptoms Lichen planus

Diagnosis and treatment Lichen planus

Related centers and departments

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Lichen planus