Oral Lichen Planus in 74 year old better with Homeopathy

Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by symptoms such as swelling and irritation in the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.

Common symptoms of oral lichen planus include white lacy lesions on the oral mucosa (cheeks, gums, tongue, inner tissues of the lips, and palate), burning pain, sensitivity to hot and spicy foods, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, and difficulty in talking, chewing, or swallowing.

Case Study:

A 74-year-old man (Patient ID-48924) visited the Life Force Jayanagar Branch on 9^th August 2022 for his complaints of oral lichen planus, which he had been suffering from for one year. The main presenting symptoms included white lacy lesions inside his cheeks, on the sides of his tongue, gums, and palate. He experienced severe pricking pain while eating spicy food, accompanied by a sticky sensation. He had been using steroid creams and was dependent on them for one year. He felt better while taking steroids, but his symptoms returned whenever he stopped using steroids.

His past medical history and treatment history were thoroughly reviewed and updated. His family history was also inquired about and documented.

A detailed case taking was performed, considering both his mental and physical health.

Physical Makeup:

He was a vegetarian with an average appetite and cravings for salt and sweets. He had an average thirst and consumed about 2 liters of water daily. His sweating was also average. He was not tolerant of extreme heat. His bowel movements and urination were satisfactory. His sleep was disturbed, and he was dependent on a sleep apnea machine.

Psychological Makeup:

His mental health was evaluated and updated. He had a happy childhood with supportive parents. His married life was satisfactory until his wife died six years ago, which was a significant shock for him. Another tragedy struck a few years later when he lost his elder son in an accident. Although he was extroverted and enjoyed socializing, he often felt lonely. He was sensitive but did not like to show his feelings or depend on others. He had health concerns and worried about the possibility of becoming bedridden and who would take care of him.

His intellectual abilities were also considered, with good memory, logic, intelligence, perception, and analysis.

His physical and systemic examination was conducted, and his weight and blood pressure were recorded.

The entire case was reviewed, and after analyzing his history, medicines were prescribed by Dr. Shah. The patient was also provided with a dietary guideline for managing oral lichen planus.

Follow-Ups:

The first follow-up was conducted on 8th October 2022, with no noticeable improvement in his condition.

By 3rd December 2022, a slight improvement was observed: the white lesions on the left side of his tongue had cleared, and the white lesions on the right side of his cheeks were improving. The pricking sensation while eating spicy food was better than before, and the dryness and sticky sensation in his mouth had reduced. He was still using steroid cream.

By 20th July 2023, the patient had reduced his use of steroid creams to every other day. By 26th March 2024, he was able to taper steroid use to once every three days and reported an overall 70% improvement in his symptoms.

In subsequent follow-ups, he was able to completely taper off steroids, and his oral lesions remained stable.

By October 22, 2024, the patient reported an overall improvement of 90%.

The patient was very pleased that he no longer required steroids and expressed gratitude to Dr. Shah and the entire Life Force team for the excellent outcomes achieved.

Conclusion:

Homeopathy offers effective treatment for lichen planus, providing deep healing by enhancing the body’s immunity. Since homeopathy addresses the root cause of the disease, it ensures a permanent solution to autoimmune conditions like lichen planus. It is safe, effective, and free from toxic effects.

• Case study written by Dr.Poornima P, associate doctor to Dr.Rajesh Shah,MD (HOM)