Homeopathic Treatment for Lichen Planopilaris

What is Lichen planopilaris?

Lichen planopilaris is also known as follicular Lichen Planus or Lichen Planus follicularis. It is a variant of Lichen Planus (LP) of the scalp, which leads to scarred alopecia followed by permanent hair loss on the scalp. It is an autoimmune disorder.

(the Hair follicle is a small tubular cavity containing the root of a hair; small muscles and sebaceous glands are associated with them.)

Pathology:

The histological hallmark of Lichen planopilaris is a chronic per follicular and interface dermatitis that affects the hair follicle infundibulum (the segment that extends from the entrance of the sebaceous gland duct to the follicular orifice) and isthmus (the short segment that extends from the insertion of the erector pili muscle to the entrance of the sebaceous gland duct). This leads to the destruction of basal keratinocytes in the hair follicle.

Symptoms of Lichen Planopilaris:

Lichen planopilaris mainly affects middle-aged people, more common in men. This type of LP exhibits primarily skin flaking, hair loss, and pruritis (severe itching).

It is manifested by tiny red spiny papules around a cluster of hairs. Sometimes even blistering occurs in the lesions. In some cases, no follicular scaling or inflammation is present but bald areas of scarring slowly appear.

It can be multi-focal or central alopecia patches with follicular hyperkeratosis or hardening and erythema or redness at the hair-bearing margin.

Diagnosis:

Lichen planopilaris on scalp Convincing cases of Lichen Planopilaris include a combination of typical Lichen Planus lesions and scarring alopecia. Those cases presenting only as scarring alopecia of the scalp require histological co-relation (i.e., biopsy) for an exact diagnosis.

Research says that up to 40% of scarred alopecia is due to Lichen planopilaris.

Conventional Treatment:

In conventional therapy, the treatment generally comprises short tapered courses of prednisone in combination therapy with retinoids or anti-malarial drugs.

Other options include psoralen-UV-A, systemic and topical steroids, etc., but its efficacy for the treatment is not proved.

Scope of homeopathy:

Lichen planopilaris should be treated as quickly as possible to avoid permanent hair loss. Treatment is case-dependent, as the severity of symptoms, the extent of the lesions and response to treatment vary from individual to individual.

If not treated in the early stages, it may lead to permanent loss of hair, and in such cases, homeopathy is helpful to stop the further progress of the disease.

Homeopathy is strongly recommended in the initial stages of Lichen Planopilaris wherein we can help to control the further progress of the disease. It is not possible to grow hair on the scalp that has scarred skin. Good control of further deterioration is also considered a significant treatment using homeopathy.

Related conditions:

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is thought to be a limited form of Lichen planopilaris.

Pseudopelade is also known as Alopecia cicatrisata.

Lichen Planopilaris

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Lichen Planus Case Studies

A 46-year-old male patient from the USA, Dr. R. P. (PIN: 26560) observed the development of a few skin eruptions, which were itchy and spreading. He visited a skin specialist; the biopsy of the same confirmed that he had Lichen planus. The skin specialist prescribed him a topical steroid.

.....Read more

A 48-year-old male patient, Mr. A.K. (PIN: 41650) visited Life Force and started homeopathic treatment for his complaint of her lichen planus in November 2019. 

He was suffering from a skin condition for 6 months. The lesions of lichen planus were present on his hands, legs, and sh.....Read more

Lichen planus (LP) is an idiopathic, cell-mediated immune disorder. It is a chronic systemic disease that commonly involves oral mucosa and skin lesions.  The clinical manifestations of LP have been described as the 6 Ps of Lichen planus, (Pruritic, purple, polygonal, planar, papules, and pl.....Read more

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