Nail Lichen Planus Long Term Treatment

Lichen Planus of nail is more difficult to treat than on skin.

Lichen Planus of the nails is often associated with oral Lichen Planus, genital Lichen Planus and skin Lichen Planus. Very rarely it affects only the nails.

Lichen Planus of the nails can occur on one or more fingers of same side or both the sides. It can also affect the toenails. Rarely all the nails are affected with the Lichen Planus.

Lichen Planus of nail has to be differentiated from psoriasis and fungal infection of nail.

What are the symptoms of nail Lichen Planus?

Lichen Planus of nail is not a painful condition. In extreme cases of Lichen Planus of nails, the nails become very brittle and become more prone to cracks and splits.

Although Lichen Planus of nail is a painless condition, it is difficult to treat as compared to Lichen Planus of the skin.

How to diagnose the Lichen Planus of nail?

By undergoing biopsy test, the diagnosis of Lichen Planus can be confirmed.

What is done in the biopsy test?

This is the test in which the doctor takes a small sample of the tissues which are affected by lichen. These tissues are examined under the microscope by an expert and then the diagnosis is confirmed.

What are the other diseases that mimic the Lichen Planus of the nails?

Diseases like psoriasis, fungal infection of the nails and allergic contact dermatitis can look like Lichen Planus of the nail. Thorough examination, history taking and biopsy test can prove and confirm the diagnosis.

Role of occupational hazards

Lichen Planus is an autoimmune disorder that means the exact cause of developing it is not known. The link between certain occupation and getting affected with Lichen Planus is not very well established.

Role of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of Lichen Planus

Lichen Planus is an autoimmune disorder with genetic link. In simple words, if the immune system is corrected and improved, the disease automatically is brought under control.

If the patient is treated conventionally by giving immunosuppressant drugs and external application of steroid creams and ointments then disease is not treated fully and resurfaces again.

How homeopathic medicines work?

Homeopathic treatment is started after a complete and detailed history taking, complete case analysis, understanding the emotions and mindsets of the patients, and considering the duration and spread of the disease. This is called a constitutional way of prescribing homeopathic medicine.

Homeopathic medicines cure the ailment by boosting up the immune system. The role of homeopathic medicine in treating the Lichen Planus is very important and significant.

After taking homeopathic medicines, one can see that the cracks in the nails heal and the brittleness improves. The discoloration goes away and the nails improve and normalize. (In our experience the Lichen Planus of the skin improves first and the nails improve later.) One can expect excellent improvement with homeopathy. It must be noted that Lichen Planus of nails is more difficult to treat than one on the skin.

Dr Rajesh Shah, MD, at Life Force has done extensive research on Lichen Planus and treated more than 3000 cases of Lichen Planus of skin, nails, and oral mucosa world over. With his rich experience of more than 30 years as a homeopathic consultant, he suggests some of the commonly used medicines in Lichen Planus.

Silica
Natrum Muraticum
Thuja Occidentalis
Fluoric acid

Dr Rajesh shah, MD, advises the patients of Lichen Planus not to self medicate. He suggests the patients to take the treatment from a qualified, and experienced homeopathic doctor who has treated at least twenty cases of nail Lichen Planus.