Lichen Planus – Nutritional Advice?
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Intro:
An itchy rash suddenly appears on your wrist and back all at once. It has a reddish purple color. Normally, the body will resolve the issue on its own, but the time it takes to fully recover varies. Your dermatologist may prescribe steroid cream to address the situation. In most cases, after carefully assessing the infected area, a doctor will tell you that this condition is called Lichen Planus and it’s an autoimmune condition or an allergic reaction. Hearing such generic responses may make you wonder what my skin needs. It is common for the damaged skin to appear smooth after treatment, but a dark mark usually remains. This skin ailment recurs unexpectedly, which is the most agonizing part. If this trend continues, all these blemishes may resemble nasty looking tattoos. Who wants that?
Background:
Lichen Planus (LP) is a condition that leads to inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. Mucous membranes function as both the lining and protective layers in the body. Due to the variety of LP forms, we will only discuss skin Lichen Planus. In general, there are four types of LP:
1. Reticular (white web-like pattern)
2. Erosive (red rash)
3. Bullous (fluid-filled blisters)
4. Atrophic (white papules)
Medical professionals use the six "Ps" to distinguish LP from other skin disorders. The six traits are:
Planar (flat top)
Purple
Polygonal (many sides)
Pruritic (dry skin)
Pimples
Plaques (scaly patches)
The diagnosis is confirmed by a skin biopsy if the condition is atypical or severe. A skin sample is obtained from the affected region for examination. Generally, what is found under the microscope is an alteration of the skin and the layers beneath the surface of the skin. Among the variations scientists see are thickened stratum corneum and stratum granulosum, as well as lymphocyte penetration into the dermo-epidermal junction.
It is pertinent to note that the stratum granulosum, which is composed of granular cells with lipids, functions as a waterproof fence that prevents fluid loss from the body. Stratum corneum, found on the surface of the skin, functions as a barrier to the skin, preventing unwanted visitors from coming in and excessive water from leaking out. In the dermo-epidermal junction, blood vessels transport nutrients between the epidermis, the actual skin, and the dermis, the layer beneath.
Research is ongoing to determine the cause of LP, but a definitive answer has not been reached yet. LP may be influenced by external factors such as hepatitis C, certain drugs (e.g., antimalarials, NSAIDs), metals, or contact to allergens. Approximately 0.2 to 1% of the adult population worldwide is affected by LP. Interestingly, in most cases, symptoms begin to show between the ages of 30 and 60. According to recent evidence, genetic factors may contribute to this cause. Although LP is not discriminatory, many people of African, Indian, or Arab descent suffer from it.
This topic should be treated as an EP; a short album incorporating several separate scripts before getting to Lichen Planus at the macro level. We will discuss skin integrity, the importance of bacteria for the skin and the impact of nutrition, as well as conceptualizing LP from an optimistic standpoint. Taking a slow approach will help us build a solid foundation for understanding why LP harms the skin. Until next time. Stay Strong & Stay Vivid!
Reference:
1. Guarneri.F et al.(2021). Therapies with Antioxidant Potential in Psoriasos, Vitiligo, and Lichen Planus. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/7/1087.
2. Arnold DL. & Krishnamurthy K. (2022). Lichen Planus. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526126/?report=reader#_NBK526126_pubdet_.
3. Yousef H., Alhajh M. & Sharma S.(2021). Anatomy, skin (Integument), Epidermis. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/#_NBK470464_pubdet_.
4. Parker. H.W. et al. (2022). Allostatic Load and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379722001167.
