An eleven years aged boy Master T.S.P. [PIN 12715] reported to Life Force for the treatment of Lichen Planus.

He was suffering from LP since the last one year.

He had severe, hypertrophic lesions on his legs, especially on the ankles and feet. He had severe itching and scratching would lead to bleeding. The skin had also turned dry, hard and rough. The itching was more in the early morning and night. He had tried Ayurvedic and Homeopathic treatment in the past. His case was studied in detail. He had a craving for sweets and spicy food. He would perspire profusely. He was very active and energetic. He liked to play outdoor games (cricket) the whole day. His father was working in a government department and his mother was working in the insurance sector. He was a single child. It was a nuclear family. The inter-personal relations were explored in detail.

His mother was asked more about the family environment. She explained that the child and his father never got along well with each other. The patient was always more interested in cricket and outdoor games and his father would scold him, and hit him as he neglected his studies. He was good in studies till the fourth standard, however afterwards, his performance dropped and he kept getting less marks.

His father was a rigid and harsh person; he would make many insensitive remarks on the patient. Off late, the patient had begun to back answer a lot.

They would always argue! His mother said, “I cannot leave them for one minute, or else they will start quarreling! “ She could get along with the patient very well. She had tried to make her husband realize his mistakes, but her husband was too rigid, he said to her, I can break, but not bend. Patient would quarrel and fight amongst his friends. However he was very social and he had a large friend following.

These perpetual conflicts had a detrimental effect on the child. He developed Lichen Planus along with many hypertrophic lesions, at a very early age (just 11)

In family history, his father was suffering from asthma and his grandfather had high blood pressure.

Dr Shah studied the case details and prescribed Natrum-Mur 30 C and Thuja 200 C in increasing potencies; alongwith his research based medicine. Gradually, in a period of twelve months, there was 80-90 % recovery in his Lichen Planus. He is still under our care.

Off late we are seeing an increase in cases of Lichen Planus among children. The above two cases illustrate the challenges, management and experience of treating Lichen Planus in children.

Case Study prepared by Dr. AP uploaded on 03rd Dec 2011